Where do we go from here? Acts 2:42-47

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Aron Leonard
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Praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:47 Pastor Ryan McMillian September 20, 2015 www.fbcpiercecity.

1 Praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:47 Pastor Ryan McMillian September 20, Where do we go from here? Acts 2:42-47 Some thoughts from Acts 2 and Revelation3 Acts 2:42-47 They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. 1. The early church devoted themselves to BIBLICAL TEACHING. Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron,so one person sharpens another.

2 2. The early church devoted themselves to SPIRITUAL RELATIONSHIPS. Romans 12:5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 1 Corinthians 12:12-15 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. Now if the foot should say, Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body, it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 3. The early church devoted themselves to DAILY REMEMBRANCE. Matthew 26:26-28 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, Take and eat; this is my body. Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 4. The early church devoted themselves to URGENT PETITIONING. Acts 3:1 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer at three in the afternoon. Acts 2:47 Acts 4:23-24 On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. When they heard this, they raised their voices

3 together in prayer to God. Sovereign Lord, they said, you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. 5. The early church devoted themselves to WORSHIPPING TOGETHER. Acts 2:47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. 6. Therefore, the early church GREW DAILY! Just consider the explosive nature of the early church... I want to list for you just seven of these churches, and they are found in Revelation 2-3. Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea. These churches are a direct result of the church in Jerusalem. So As FBC, do we measure up to this BIBLICAL EXAMPLE? I want to show you a church in Revelation 3 that Jesus isn't quite pleased with... Revelation 3:14-22 To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:these are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God s creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm neither hot

4 nor cold I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing. But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. 8. Are we HOT or COLD? 9. Jesus declares LUKEWARM unacceptable. Notes: Steps to growing in God s Word 1. Read the Word of God 2. Study the text 3. Memorize one scripture 4. Meditate on God s Word 5. Apply the Word of God to your life.

5 Application for your week: Prayer Needs for the week: Memory verse from today s sermon: Today s sermon will be available online by Tuesday September 22, Please visit and click on weekly video sermons.

Revelation Churches. Revelation 3:14-22 The Rebuke Against the Lukewarm

Revelation Churches. Revelation 3:14-22 The Rebuke Against the Lukewarm Revelation Churches Revelation 3:14-22 The Rebuke Against the Lukewarm Revelation 3:14-22 14 To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness,