Week 1 – Jeff Maness – September 15, 2019
We’ll never see what the early church saw unless we become who the early church was. So often, we focus on the results of the early church in Acts. More important than what they saw was who they were. The same is true for us.
Why? Be
Main Scripture: Acts 2:41-47
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Acts 2:41-47 41 Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day— about 3,000 in all. 42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. 43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity 47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.
Vision — We exist to guide people to experience life to its fullest, connect into meaningful relationships and make a lasting impact.
Big Idea: We’ll never see what the early church saw unless we become who the early church was.
Big Question: What should we be as a church? (What should I be as a person?)
1. We should be devoted
Acts 2:42 42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.
2. We should be deliberate
Acts 2:46-47a 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper (communion), and shared their meals with great joy and generosity — 47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people.
Better Together — We become the most like Christ when we are connected together through Christ.
3. We should be deniers
Matthew 16:24 24 “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way (deny yourself), take up your cross, and follow me.
Acts 2:44b-45 44b…and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need.
Acts 4:32-35 32 All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. 33 The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all. 34 There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them 35 and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need.
Acts 2:47b 47b And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.
Acts 4:4 4 But many of the people who heard their message believed it, so the number of men who believed now totaled about 5,000.
Acts 5:14 14 Yet more and more people believed and were brought to the Lord—crowds of both men and women.
Acts 14:1 1 The same thing happened in Iconium. Paul and Barnabas went to the Jewish synagogue and preached with such power that a great number of both Jews and Greeks became believers.
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