Sermon Notes for 1/6/2013,(Acts 2:42-47)
The Church We are Aiming to Be
1) Focus (42)
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
2) awe (43)
Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.
3) Unity (44,45)
All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.
4) With God and with other people (46,47)
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.
Summary
The Church came into being, not by human design, but by the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Jesus Christ. If we stop following Jesus Christ, we are no longer his body, even if we claim to be a church. Looking back at the 20-year history of this church, we are thankful that we have continually followed Jesus without compromise. This is not something that happened automatically or coincidentally. At the beginning of each new year, we reflect on the early Church, inspired by the Holy Spirit. Without such reflection, it is easy to wander away in our own paths. Let us fear the Lord, passionately do what he is asking us to do here, and wait in expectation for all the good things he wants to do in the coming year.
For Discussion
1) Should we share and have everything in common?
2) What do you hope for in the coming year?
The Church We are Aiming to Be
1) Focus (42)
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
2) awe (43)
Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.
3) Unity (44,45)
All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.
4) With God and with other people (46,47)
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.
Summary
The Church came into being, not by human design, but by the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Jesus Christ. If we stop following Jesus Christ, we are no longer his body, even if we claim to be a church. Looking back at the 20-year history of this church, we are thankful that we have continually followed Jesus without compromise. This is not something that happened automatically or coincidentally. At the beginning of each new year, we reflect on the early Church, inspired by the Holy Spirit. Without such reflection, it is easy to wander away in our own paths. Let us fear the Lord, passionately do what he is asking us to do here, and wait in expectation for all the good things he wants to do in the coming year.
For Discussion
1) Should we share and have everything in common?
2) What do you hope for in the coming year?