The Church

 

Acts 2: ³²This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. ³³Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. ³⁴For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, ³⁵Until I make thy foes thy footstool. ³⁶Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

³⁷Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? ³⁸Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. ³⁹For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. ⁴⁰And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. ⁴¹Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

⁴²And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

⁴³And fear came upon every soul:

·        Respect

·        Godly Honor

·        We need to understand that this is a Sacred Assembly.

·        God Meets us here.

·        This is not wasted time.

·        This is not just ritual.

 and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

⁴⁴And all that believed were together, and had all things common;

·        Together:  the ones that believed…not the ones that came to gaulk or watch from a distance…

·        The CORE.

·        The Members

·        The Regulars.

·        They were TOGETHER!!!

·        They were like a family.

·        They cared for one another!

·        They loved one another.

·        They helped one another.

·        They encouraged one another.

·        They blessed one another.

·        They prayed with one another.

·        There were no big “I’s” and “Little You’s”

·        They carried one another’s Burdens.

·        When one fell down the others picked them up!!!

·        They were together!

·        Like the fingers on your hand…tied to the same purpose.

·        Nothing will destroy a church faster than a uncaring, un-thoughtful congregation.

·        But one that is “Together” will touch it’s generation.

·        One that knows how to show love will turn it’s would upside down with the Gospel!!!

 

⁴⁵And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

·        They did what???

·        Sold?!?!

·        Why we’re too busy buying and going into debt to even think about selling some things off!!!

·        We’d rather go into debt keeping up with the Jone’s than sell off some things to help out someone in need.

·        Here is a mentality that our American Wealthy  Rationale cannot understand.

·        But here was the thinking of the church that turned its world upside down for Jesus Christ.

·        They weren’t bound up by money.

·        They weren’t in bondage to the religion of self.

·        But they knew how to GIVE.

·        They knew that when it came time for the offering, it was time to PART with something.

·        Don’t get me wrong….

·        A church can exist with simple offerings….

·        But if it is going to prosper…

·        If it is going to be a blessing to those in need…

·        If it is going to adequately and properly spread the gospel of Jesus Christ it is going to take a people who know how to give up the goods and GIVE to the Work of God.

⁴⁶And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple,

CONTINUED!!!

·        They didn’t loose interest after a couple of weeks.

·        They continued the Prayer

·        They continued the worship.

·        They continued the fellowship.

·        They continued the work of ministry.

·        They continued bringing people to church.

·        They continued witnessing

·        They continued!!!

DAILY

·        That’s all some people’s burden last..one day!

·        But these people kept it going….

·        Day after day after day.

·        They knew what it was going to take…

·        And they weren’t constantly looking for some new program to change their direction.

·        They didn’t loose interest after a week or two.

·        It became a constant way of life for them.

·        They did the same thing today that worked for them yesterday.

·        And so daily they continued!!!

In ONE ACCORD

·        Together.

·        Intertwined with one another.

·        Each ones life rapped around the other’s.

·        Holding each other up.

·        In fellowship.

·        In prayer.

·        In brotherly love.

and breaking bread from house to house,

·        They didn’t mind inviting one another over for dinner once in a while.

·        These people loved to fellowship with each other.

·        Their houses became portals of the Church.

·        Their homes became places of Bible Study.

·        Their homes became places of Fellowship.

·        Their homes became places of Worship!!!

did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

·        BE Glad!!!

·        Be Happy!!!

·        Be Joyful

·        Not a prune face

·        Not stick in the mud

·        But someone who is truly Glad to be a part of the family of God!!!

·        This kind of personal attitude is attractive to the one who is lost!!!

⁴⁷Praising God,

·        They were a people who knew how to worship God!!!

·        They were not ashamed for the world to see them praise the Lord.

·        They sang with all their hearts.

·        They clapped their hands.

·        They stood to their feet.

·        They danced.

·        They shouted.

·        They worshipped!!!

and having favor with all the people.

·        People liked them!!!

·        They were kind to the man on the street.

·        They didn’t get mad at the waitress.

·        They talked kindly to people at the grocery store.

·        They visited their sick neighbors.

·        They were “LIKABEL” and all the people had favor towards them.

·        We’ve got to ask ourselves…do people like me???

·        Do I act in a way that would cause people to like me?

And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

·        We need to understand that when it’s all said and done…

·        It’s God that convicts the hungry heart.

·        You might have taught the bible study, but it was Jesus that died on Calvary.

·        Don’t get the bighead when someone you witnessed to gets the Holy Ghost.

·        These people understood that it was not their organization that caused the growth.

·        It was God that gave the revival.

^3:1Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.

²And a certain man

·        Not some bum

·        Not a lame man

·        Not a drug addict

·        Not an alcoholic

·        Not some freak

·        But a Man

·        Someone that Jesus Died for.

·        Someone that Jesus Loves

·        Someone that He went to Calvary for.

·        A man

·        A human Being.

·        Not the town Derelict.

·        But the next worshiper.

·        We need to stop looking at what people are right now and see them as:

1.     Jesus sees them

2.     As they could be

 

lame from his mother’s womb

·        It wasn’t his fault he was crippled.

·        He did nothing to deserve his condition.

·        He was born that way.

·        He might be an alcoholic,

·        But did you ever consider that maybe he was brought up by parents that were alcoholics?

·        He might be a child beater, but did you ever consider that maybe he was beaten as a child.

·        He might be a lazy bum, but did you ever consider that maybe his role model father was a lazy bum.

·        Yes he’s a mess

·        Yes he’s got problems.

·        Yes he probably deserves his dilemma.

·        But JESUS LOVES HIM!!!

·        JESUS CARES FOR HIM!!!

·        JESUS CAN HELP HIM!!!

 

was carried, whom they laid

·        If your going to help some people you might have to carry them for a while.

·        You may need to cook them dinner for a while

·        You may need to visit them when their sick.

·        You may need to help them pay some bills.

·        You may need to play with they’re kids.

·        You may need to carry their burdens

·        You may need to pick them up out of a mess.

·        You may need to lift them above their circumstances.

·        …You want to make a difference in someone’s life…lift them up!

daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful,

·        Some religious institutions are called beautiful, but in reality they are very ugly.

·        They say they love the lost, but in reality they love their cliques.

·        They say they pray for souls….but in reality they would rather have the praises of men.

·        It looks like a nice place to go to church…but there is no truth in it’s teaching.

·        It appears Beautiful, but really it is empty.

·        Void

·        Without the Holy Ghost

·        No move of God’s Spirit.

·        No love

·        No joy

·        Nothing that changes lives.

·        Nothing that heals the broken heart.

·        Nothing that ministers to the tortured spirit.

·        It’s an empty religion.

·        Another false doctrine.

·        One more pretty place to stay lost.

 to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;

·        Some people who come in here are looking for that next meal.

·        Some of them are looking for someone to help them with their crazy teenager.

·        Some are looking for help with their marriage.

·        Some are looking for a way out of their bondage.

·        Some are hoping you can help them.

·        Some are praying that what you have is better than what the last guy gave them.

 

³Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.

⁴And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John

·        If your going to help some people you’ve got to focus on them right where they are.

·        You got to lock eyes with them.

·        You’ve got to get down on their level and look them eyeball to eyeball

·        and let them know that your not just going to pass them by.

·        You got to focus on their problem.

·        Your compassion has to be so real that you can’t stop looking at their dilemma.

, said, Look on us.

·        I wonder what some people see when they look at us!!!!???

·        Do they see an uncaring un-compassionate person with too many problems of their own…

·        Or do they see some one who is genuinely concerned.

·        Do they see someone who knows how to pray?!

·        Do they see someone who know how to defend the scriptures?

·        Do they see someone who is willing to fast over they’re dilemma.

·        What do they see.

·        Do they see just another religion,

·        Or do they see something that has power with God.

⁵And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.

⁶Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

·        I’m convinced that the Name of Jesus is the one thing that sets us apart from all the worlds institutions and religions.

·        We are not just another church.

·        We are a people of the name of Jesus.

·         We are not just another congregation.

·        We are the church of Jesus name.

·        We don’t just baptize you…

·        We bury you in the name of Jesus.

·        We don’t just pray for you.

·        We call the name of Jesus over you’re situation.

·        For there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved.

·        It’s not in Haricirshna  (Sorry about the spelling, couldn’t figure it out.)

·        It’s not in Mohammed

·        It’s not in Allah

·        His name is Jesus and He shall save His people from their sins.

·        His name is above every name.

·        That at the mention of His name every devil in hell would flee.

·        At the mention of His name sickness turns to health.

·        At the mention of His name death breaks way to eternal life.

·        At the mention of Jesus name every sin in your live can be remitted.

⁷And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up

and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. ⁸And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.

⁹And all the people saw him walking and praising God: ¹⁰And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him. ¹¹And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon’s, greatly wondering.