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Show characteristics of the first New Testament church and how we should try to imitate it. Text: Acts
2:41-47.
Introduction.
1. There is no greater institution in the world than the
church of Christ.
2. Christ died in order to purchase His church (Ac.
20:28).
3. Christ died to purchase the church in Gahanna.
4. We must remember what a blessing and responsibility it is
to be God's representatives in this community.
5. It should be our goal to make the Lord's church strong.
6. We can do that by following the example left for us by the
very first New Testament Church.
Body.
I. This congregation had the proper Faith.
A. They gladly received Peter's word (v. 41).
1. When we think of the blessings that come from obeying the gospel
it should make us happy.
2. It should make us want to gladly obey.
3. Too many times, we grudgingly obey God's Word.
a. This is not pleasing to him (2 Cor. 9:7).
b. We are told to rejoice in the Lord (Phil. 4:4).
4. God's commandments are not grievous (1 Jn. 5:3).
B. They had ONE Faith (v. 46).
1. They all
believed the same thing.
2. This is
the way that God would have it to be (Jn. 17:21; 1 Cor. 1:10).
3. The Lord's
church is being torn apart by those who are teaching something other than the Apostle's doctrine.
4. You'll
never find the word "Faith" as plural in the New Testament.
5. There is
only one true faith (Eph. 4:4-5).
6.
"United we stand; divided we fall."
II. This congregation had the proper fear.
A. It is said that the congregation
in Jerusalem feared.B. What did they
fear?C. They feared God in the sense
that they respected him.
1. This was a
command in the Old Testament (Eccl. 12:13; Prov. 9:10).
2. This is a
commandment in the New Testament (Ac. 9:31; Eph. 5:21; Heb.12:28).
D. Respect is something that the world has very little use
for today.
1. Children
are not punished as they should.
2. Criminals
are not punished.
3. Members of
the church do not fear and respect the authority of God's Word.
E. Let us fear and respect
God as we should.
III. This congregation had the proper fellowship (vv.
42, 44-45).
A. Fellowship means joint
participation or communion; cooperation.B. As Christians, we are to have fellowship with God and our
brethren (1 Jn. 1:3, 7).C. Notice their deep love and concern for each other.
1. They were
willing to sell their goods to provide for the needs of the others.
2. This was
not a command but they did it of their own free will.
D. Do we love each other that much?
1. We are to
bear one another's burdens (Gal. 6:2).
2. Do we
visit one another in the hospital.
3. Do we send
cards when someone is sick.
4. Do we
visit the erring member.
IV. This congregation had the proper frequency (v.
46).
A. It says that they met daily.B. We sometimes can't get people to come for 4 hours a week.C. We must live as Christians every day (1 Jn. 1:7; Jas. 1:25).D. In doing this we set the proper example for our children and the
world.
Conclusion.
1. By possessing all of these characteristics, the church at
Jerusalem obtained the favor of the people and God (v.
47).
2. Do you want the congregation in Gahanna to be strong?
3. Let us work to obtain the characteristics that the church
in Jerusalem possessed.
4. Offer Invitation.
-- Ralph Price, February 2000
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