Bible Text: Acts 2:40-47 | Preacher: Pastor Ken | Series: Mighty in His Power
Acts 2:40 – 47 40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” 41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; … 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.
46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart
Acts 2:40
…Be saved from this perverse generation…
What does the battle look like today?
Acts 2:41
Those who received his word were baptized…
Identification and Obedience
Acts 2:42
And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Hebrews 10:25 … not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
Meaningful Relationships:
Develop over time
Closer to the center fewer in number, having a more powerful influence in life
Can move in and out of different circles
Best Friends
Smallest group
Does not include your spouse or close family, those are powerful relationships of a different type.
Change very slowly
Friends
Community Small Group
Paul/Timothy relationship (mentorship)
Possibly a couple of individuals who have developed trust over time
Acquaintances
Larger groups of people who you have interaction with but the relationships are not a fully developed
Meaningful and supportive, having some level of input into our life
Large Church Group
Lots of people, we know their faces and often names.
We circulate in different circles due to interest and ministry focus.
The “City”
Everyone else living in the area around us that we may have contact with.
These are people we want to move from the outside toward the inside of our circles…
Acts 2:42
And they continued steadfastly in:
Apostles’ doctrine (teaching)
Fellowship
Breaking of bread
Prayer
Acts 2: 43
Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.
Reverence, awe and fear developed in the body of believers.
Acts 2:44-45
44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.
Attitude of community (not communism) developed
Acts 2:46
So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart
Unity continued to develop and grow
Acts 2:47
praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
Praise and worship and connection; resulting in Evangelism