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Text: Acts 2:41-47 Intro: The Bible says, "But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth." (1 Tim. 3:15) People often have the mistaken idea that to be a Christian is to be a sissy, and that the Christian life is some how a "softer" life than living in the world! I have been saved since ________, and though the Christian life is one of joy and peace, it has never been easy to live for Jesus Christ! In fact, not only do we live the Christian life, but we live the Christian life in a Christ-hating world! One of the main reasons that the Christian life is difficult is we are commanded by God to live a certain life style; yet our flesh wars against us, the world tempts us, and Satan hinders us! The Bible says, "But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth." (1 Tim. 3:15) The Holy Spirit wrote that we should "know how we ought to behave ourselves in the house of God, which is the church." There is a definite standard of behavior expected of God's children as they worship, work, and fellowship in God's church. Not only is there an expected standard of behavior in God's church, but there is a definite standard of activity for God's children in God's church. The reason for the standards of behavior and activity is the fact that the independent Baptist church is God's authorized agency to represent the Lord Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world. Christ is our head, and as a assembly of saints, we are His body. The church, the pillar and ground of the truth, represents the Truth (Jesus Christ) to the world! But, apparently, the churches of Timothy's day did not know how they should be behaving or the Holy Spirit would not have penned these words through Paul. And I believe that believer's today have forgotten how we should behave. You see, you cannot represent the Truth if you are living a lie! The Bible says, "But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth." (1 Tim. 3:15) As many churches in our movement lose their sense of destiny and standards, there is a necessity for our church to reflect on our direction by comparing our standard of activity with God's standard as revealed in His Word. This morning I would like us to look a "A Year in the Life of the Church" from the book of Acts, chapter 2, verses 41-47; a very familiar portion of Scripture to most. Acts 2:41-47--"A Year in the Life of the Church"--prayer Note: Those of you that know me, know that I
strongly recommend a method of Bible study whereby you mark every mention of
God, as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, as you read. Marking the mentions of
God gives you a clear framework for study and understanding. In Acts
2:41-47 we have three mentions of God. v41 speaks of His Word; v47 mentions
praising God, and v47 mentions the Lord. Since we are talking about the
standard of activity in the church, we can see this passage falls easily
under three headings: I. THE ACTIVITY OF CHRIST'S WORD (v41-46) B. His Word Reveals That This Message Must Be
Received (v41) Note: You must be glad that you are a sinner in need of a Saviour! Glad that you have realized that you have broken God's law and must be punished! Glad to learn that God is sovereign over you life! Glad that God gave us His Word to reveal our need! Glad that Jesus Christ took our sin upon Himself and died in our place! Glad that God would save such a sinner as yourself!! You must receive it gladly! 3. It must be received completely C. His Word Reveals a Steadfastness (v42) Note: Notice that doctrine and fellowship are tied together. And notice that it is the apostles [uncorrupted] fellowship! Our fellowship should be built around true doctrine, and our true doctrine should result in real fellowship! "That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ." 1 John 1:3 Note: We spend to much time talking about the things of this world instead of fellowshipping about the things that matter for eternity. G. Campbell Morgan said, "It has become very difficult for Christian people to talk of the things of Christ to each other. They meet together in ordinary life, and they talk of everything except the deepest things of their spiritual life; and that not because they have not deep experience, not because they are unfamiliar with the things of God and His Kingdom, but because they have never learned how to help each other in mutual converse concerning them." 2. The apostles [uncorrupted] breaking of bread
(i.e., the Lord's Supper). Here is the 2nd of the local, independent
Baptist church's 2 ordinances, the 1st being baptism. Note: So here we have 3,120 born again, baptized, Spirit filled Baptist church members being taught and then fellowshipping around what they were taught, partaking of the Lord's Supper, and seeking God in prayer. They had a pow pow power explosion!! They were on fire, and even the water of Baal's alter couldn't put them out! D. His Word Reveals a Changed Life Note: From the simple fact of doing the "common acts" of the Christian faith, but doing them with a whole heart toward God, this church turned their world upside down! _________________ Baptist Church does not need a moment of excitement, but a continuing sense of excitement and urgency in our service to God! 1. Fear came on every soul Note: Because materials things, whether great or small, were held lightly, or in an open palm, when a need arose that they could meet, they sold some possessions or gave of themselves to assist a believer in need. (Remember the times!) E. His Word Reveals a Changed Walk (v46) Note: The saved Jews continued to observe the two daily times of prayer in the Temple, no doubt using the opportunity to share their new found faith. As the churches grew, and Gentiles were added, the Temple worship was forsaken. 5. A sharing walk ("breaking bread") II. THE ACTIVITY OF GOD'S PEOPLE (v47a) B. Finding Favor ("a pleasing work, beauty of speech;
to be inclined toward another") with all people III. THE ACTIVITY OF THE LORD (v47b) Note: When a person is saved, there should be a Holy Spirit lead desire to unite with God's people in God's place, the church. God does not lead saved people back to apostate denominations, to cults, to Western or Eastern religious systems. He also does not lead saved people to spend Sunday out in nature! He lead you to Jesus Christ to be saved, and He leads you to unity with the body of Christ, the local church, after you are saved! Note: And so the first year of the early church was spent in total obedience to God. It began with the Word, continued with praise to God, and ended with the Lord adding to the church. Conclusion: What are you contributing to this church? Can this church say that it has followed the pattern of the early church at Jerusalem? How about you as an individual? Has this past year produced a change or growth in your life? Do you have a changed walk before God and man? Hard questions! But hard questions that demand hard answers! |