Early Church Model

 

Without God’s Love flowing from our hearts,  good works and sacrificial giving are of no benefit.
*  “And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not love [Agape], it profiteth me nothing.”
1 Corinthians 13:3

*We are challenged all the time in life. *God takes us out of our comfort zone. Sometimes we have to be a little uncomfortable to do God’s work.

Mark 1:14 Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15 and saying,  The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.

*We prepare ourselves for our own ministry in this life through relying on Jesus. Then we will see the results on our lives.

” 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—  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. “(Acts 2:46-47).

These verses are really important for us as believers because they give us a model for what the fellowship of believers should be like.
God blessed the early church and it grew by leaps and bounds. That isn’t happening today, and I think that is partly because we don’t follow this model as well as we could.

Acts 6:2 So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program. 3 And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. 4 Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.”
*A body of believers that is to work effectively must find the right people for each ministry. One is not more important than another.
*There are leaders, teachers, those with the gift of hospitality, and many other positions. Nobody should do it all. A pastor should be given time to lead and teach.

It is evident that the early church’s lifestyle worked. God blessed it and the church grew. It is a Model for the church today.   
1. Teaching was a big part of what they did.
*People didn’t know a lot about the message of the gospel, but Jesus’ disciples made sure that message got out.
*Jesus not only gave information, but also showed the application behind the information.
*We need 3 major points to lead!
A. Character. B.Competency.  C.Passion.

2. Intimate fellowship of believers was important.
*They ate together and spent time together. In this way they had constant encouragement even when things got tough. They weren’t alone.
* Don’t just create ministries except they are Purpose Driven.

3. They were not materialistic.
*They sold their possessions so they could help each other. This one scares me. I like my “stuff”. Sure I give money and time to support the Lord’s work, but I still live pretty well. What if we, as the church, didn’t care about having things for ourselves? How much more would we help advance God’s kingdom?

4. Last, but certainly not least, they prayed.
*They devoted themselves to prayer. They were in constant communication with God.

Recommitting to a relational life…
*Choose connections instead of isolation
– nature is to be isolated.
*Choose acceptance instead of judgement- sin nature is to find what is wrong.
* Choose tolerance instead of offense – engage instead of in rage.
* Choose the unfamiliar instead of the
familiar – open relationships instead of closed circle.
* Choose humility instead of pride – changes the way we look at one another – rich man and Lazarus.
* Choose courage instead of fear – risk instead of known outcomes.

If we approach the Word of God with a Hunger for the Word we will get more from our time in His Word.
*Hosea 4:1 Hear the word of the Lord, Hear the word of the Lord, You children of Israel, For the Lord brings a charge against the inhabitants of the land: There is no truth or mercy Or knowledge of God in the land.
*Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.
*Hosea 6:1 “Come, let us return to the LORD. He has torn us to pieces; now he will heal us. He has injured us; now he will bandage our wounds. 2 In just a short time he will restore us, so that we may live in his presence.
Verse 6: I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices. I want you to know me more than I want burnt offerings.
*God wants you to fellowship as you worship.
*True fellowship is based upon a knowledge of God. 
*God desires that we know Him.
*God’s word gives us an understanding of Him.
*Fellowship unites us in praising God.

God adds to the church for His glory and for our benefit. When God puts us together we are able to accomplish things for Him we cannot do on our own.

How do we get eternal life?
John 17: 3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. 
* Jesus tells us clearly here-by knowing God the Father himself through his Son, Jesus Christ.
***Eternal life requires entering into a “Personal Relationship” with God in Jesus Christ. When we admit our sin and turn away from it, Christ’s love lives in us by the Holy Spirit.

*Our goal and purpose is to glorify God. In John 17: 3 “this is eternal life” comes only to those who “KNOW GOD”.
The word “know” here refers to the intimacy of us with God like a man and wife.
More than a “head” knowledge. Nothing is to be compared to knowing God nothing we have and nothing we will do can compare to knowing God. Eternal life is not something that we get from character or conduct but from receiving God by admitting that we are sinners.
*Romans 3:23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 24 Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.
*Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.

Father God, thank you for forgiveness of my sins and redemption.  Thank you for standing at the finish line waiting to rejoice with me when I arrive.  I love you!  “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.  Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.” Philippians 4:19-20. 
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*Hope Connection.    www.movingforwardwithhope.com  

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