Introduction: Would you rather be a goose or an eagle?
Read Scripture/Pray
Background: Church directly after Pentecost @ about 120
Purpose Statement: If we are to be a Biblical church then we must…
I. Be Devoted (v. 42)
A. To the Word
1. Apostle’s teaching was foundation of the NT
2. Note the adverb continually
3. Not just hearing, but doing – Career Student*
B. To the Fellowship
1. We must not overlook this aspect of the church – Moody Illustration*
2. People are lonely – Arthritis illustration*
3. Both inward and outward
C. To the communion
1. We need to take back the word communion
2. Early church practiced communion every day/church isn’t just for Sunday’s anymore
D. To Prayer
1. Why show up at business meeting… not prayer meeting/ prayer is the fuel of the Xian
2. They were depending upon God, not themselves
II. Be in Awe (v. 43)
A. Where is the awe for God?
1. Sports events, stars, royalty… What about God? (Genuine worship)
B. Where are the signs and wonders?
1. Grudem Definition*
2. Have the gifts of the Holy Spirit ceased?
C. When was the last time you trusted God for the impossible?
1. Negative member illustration*
2. The Road of Life Illustration*
III. Be United (vs. 44-46)
A. Principle of sharing
1. What does it mean to hold all things in common?
2. Dr. Polhill missionary refrigerator illustration
3. They were losing their selfishness
B. Becoming a family
1. meeting together
2. Henri Nouwen quote*
C. Their hearts were sincere
1. There was a genuine desire for the kingdom of God on earth
2. Parasites versus leukocytes
IV. Be Ready (v. 47)
A. Be ready for God to bless you & His church
1. Army psychology experiment*
2. Do you consider lost people coming to Christ to be a blessing?
B. Be ready to reach lost people for Jesus
1. Everywhere the early church went they preached Christ
2. If your church is not experiencing Acts kind of growth you need to ask why
C. Be ready to grow - evangelism
1. Acts 2:41*
Conclusion: If we are to be… work together, devoted to His teaching, ready for Him to accomplish…
ILLUSTRATIONS:
Geese vs. Eagles
Flying v formation
Honking for encouragement
Flying by God given compass
Career Student
I read about a man in New York City who died at the age of 63 without ever having had a job. He spent his entire adult life in college. During those years he acquired so many academic degrees that they “looked like the alphabet” behind his name.
Why did this man spend his entire life in college? When he was a child, a wealthy relative died who had named him as a beneficiary in his will. It stated that he was to be given enough money to support him every year as long as he stayed in school. And it was to be discontinued when he had completed his education.
The man met the terms of the will, but by remaining in school indefinitely he turned a technicality into a steady income for life—something his benefactor never intended. Unfortunately, he spent thousands of hours listening to professors and reading books but never “doing.” He acquired more and more knowledge but didn’t put it into practice.
Moody Illustration
D.L. Moody once called on a leading citizen in Chicago to persuade him to accept Christ. They were seated in the man’s parlor. It was winter and coal was burning in the fireplace. The man argued that he could be just as good a Christian outside the church as in it. Moody said nothing, but stepped to the fireplace, took the tongs, picked a blazing coal from the fire and set it off by itself. In silence the two watched it smolder and go out. “I see,” said the man.
Does Anybody Ask About My Arthritis?
Mamie made frequent trips to the branch post office. One day she confronted a long line of people who were waiting for service from the postal clerks. Mamie only needed stamps, so a helpful observer asked, “Why don’t you use the stamp machine? You can get all the stamps you need and you won’t have to stand in line.” Mamie said, “I know, but the machine can’t ask me about my arthritis.” People still need human contact.
Grudem Definition of Miracles
“A miracle is a less common kind of God’s activity in which he arouses people’s awe and wonder and bears witness to himself.” He justifies this definition by awe, or amazement in such a way that God bears witness to himself
Negative Member
Baily Smith, an evangelist said he had a man in his church once that never had a positive thing to say. In a business meeting he called on the man as if to pray but this is what he said, "Brother so and so would you please stand and lead us in a word of discouragement at this time."
The Road of Life
At first, I saw God as my observer, my judge, keeping track of the things I did wrong, so as to know whether I merited heaven or hell when I die. He was out there sort of like a president. I recognized His picture when I saw it, but I really didn’t know Him.
But later on when I met Christ it seemed as though life were rather like a bike ride, but it was a tandem bike, and I noticed that Christ was in the back helping me pedal.
I don’t know just when it was that He suggested we change places, but life has not been the same since.
When I had control, I knew the way. It was rather boring, but predictable...It was the shortest distance between two points.
But when He took the lead, He knew delightful long cuts, up mountains, and through rocky places at breakneck speeds, it was all I could do to hang on! Even though it looked like madness, he said, “Pedal!” I worried and was anxious and asked, “Where are You taking me?” He laughed and didn’t answer, and I started to learn to trust.
I forgot my boring life and entered into the adventure. And when I’d say, “I’m scared,” He’d lean back and touch my hand.
He took me to people with gifts that I needed, gifts of healing, acceptance and joy. They gave me gifts to take on my journey, my Lord’s and mine.
And we were off again. He said, “Give the gifts away; they’re extra baggage, too much weight.” So I did, to the people we met, and I found that in giving I received, and still our burden was light. I did not trust Him, at first, in control of my life. I thought He’d wreck it; but He knows bike secrets, knows how to make it bend to take sharp corners, knows how to jump to clear high rocks, knows how to fly to shorten scary passages. And I am learning to shut up and pedal in the strangest places, and I’m beginning to enjoy the view and the cool breeze on my face with my delightful constant companion, Jesus Christ.
And when I’m sure I just can’t do anymore, He just smiles and says...”Pedal.”
Henri Nouwen Quote
And as Henri Nouwen points out, “We are unified by our common weaknesses, our common failures, our common disappointments and our common inconsistencies.”
Army Psychology Experiment
A young psychology student serving in the Army decided to test a theory. Drawing kitchen duty, he was given the job of passing out apricots at the end of the chow line.
He asked the first few soldiers that came by, “You don’t want any apricots, do you?” Ninety percent said “No.”
Then he tried the positive approach: “You do want apricots, don’t you?” About half answered, “Uh, yeah. I’ll take some.”
Then he tried a third test, based on the fundamental either/or selling technique. This time he asked, “One dish of apricots or two?” And in spite of the fact that soldiers don’t like Army apricots, 40 percent took two dishes and 50 percent took one!
Acts 2:41
So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and there were added that day about three thousand souls. (NASB)
