WHEN THE CHURCH IS REALLY THE CHURCH (5 OF 13)
by Jeff Lynn
Scripture: Acts 2:42-47
This content is part of a series.
When the Church is Really the Church (5 of 13)
Characteristics of a Healthy Church
Series: Unleashed
Jeff Lynn
Acts 2:42-47
May 16, 2010
TEXT: Acts 2:42-47
INTRODUCTION
I want you to imagine an organization with about 120 people expanding to a few thousand in a matter of minutes.
And now, you have to literally assimilate these new people into a new way of life.
That's what we're going to see this morning in this passage.
This is the beginning of the church of Jesus Christ.
We are seeing the ideal in motion; the way things ought to be.
This may be one of the most oft-preached passages in the book of Acts, because it gives us a glimpse into the way the early church assimilated these thousands of converts into their new commitment to Christ, and how the church grew because of it.
I believe what we see are the characteristics of a healthy church. A model.
We will also ask ourselves how each of us is doing in regards to this.
Because if the church is you and I, then these characteristics need to be indicative of each of us.
So, what's the first characteristic we see?
ALLEGIANCE TO THE THINGS OF GOD
Allegiance to something means that you are devoted and loyal to it.
Look at verse 42:
And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
Acts 2:42
The word "devoted" means "persisting obstinately in."
It means that you're just stubborn enough to keep going.
Have you ever persisted obstinately in anything?
Fishing?
Golfing?
Shopping?
24?
I wonder just how obstinately persistent or "devoted" we are to grow spiritually?
These new believers in Christ were hungry to grow in their new relationship with Him.
They weren't passive in this new relationship; they were proactive.
Notice the things to which they were devoted or to which they were pledging their allegiance?
• The Apostles Teaching
More than likely the apostle ...
Characteristics of a Healthy Church
Series: Unleashed
Jeff Lynn
Acts 2:42-47
May 16, 2010
TEXT: Acts 2:42-47
INTRODUCTION
I want you to imagine an organization with about 120 people expanding to a few thousand in a matter of minutes.
And now, you have to literally assimilate these new people into a new way of life.
That's what we're going to see this morning in this passage.
This is the beginning of the church of Jesus Christ.
We are seeing the ideal in motion; the way things ought to be.
This may be one of the most oft-preached passages in the book of Acts, because it gives us a glimpse into the way the early church assimilated these thousands of converts into their new commitment to Christ, and how the church grew because of it.
I believe what we see are the characteristics of a healthy church. A model.
We will also ask ourselves how each of us is doing in regards to this.
Because if the church is you and I, then these characteristics need to be indicative of each of us.
So, what's the first characteristic we see?
ALLEGIANCE TO THE THINGS OF GOD
Allegiance to something means that you are devoted and loyal to it.
Look at verse 42:
And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
Acts 2:42
The word "devoted" means "persisting obstinately in."
It means that you're just stubborn enough to keep going.
Have you ever persisted obstinately in anything?
Fishing?
Golfing?
Shopping?
24?
I wonder just how obstinately persistent or "devoted" we are to grow spiritually?
These new believers in Christ were hungry to grow in their new relationship with Him.
They weren't passive in this new relationship; they were proactive.
Notice the things to which they were devoted or to which they were pledging their allegiance?
• The Apostles Teaching
More than likely the apostle ...
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