Bible Text: Acts 2:40 – 47 & Matthew 28:18 – 20 | Preacher: Pastor Ken | Series: Transformed Living
Acts 2:40-47 …42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 
…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, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
Look at people with eternity in mind
Matthew 28:18-20 18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.  19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
Friendship is vital to the health of the church (believers) as well as to effective evangelism, sharing Jesus
One of the great attacks coming against us, the church, today is the enemy creating a civil war within the church
If we recognize the value of the relationships…
Why do any of us expect the “church” which is made up of people just like to be perfect and run away, withdraw, gossip and hold a grudge when it, the church or we are not perfect?
This is a tactic of the enemy to divide us against ourselves
Hebrews 10:23-25 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 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.
 
Proverbs 27:6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Matthew 16:23 23 But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.“
If someone said this to one of us in church it would not be surprising to have that person walk out of church never to return
No individual is perfect and the church is made up of individuals!
Therefore, the church is not going to be perfect.
We are all part of the church each of us at a different place in our walk with Jesus and all of us needing grace and needing each other!
Friendships/Healthy Relationships
Transform Lives
Ecclesiastics 4:9-12 9 Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up. 11 Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him.  And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Hebrews 13:1-3 13 Let love of the brethren continue. 2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it. NASB
Romans 16:23 23 Gaius, whose hospitality I and the whole church here enjoy, sends you his greetings. NIV
John 15:13-14 13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.
Matthew 25:37-40 37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink?  38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You?  39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’  40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’
Love like Jesus
Matthew 28:18-20 18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.  19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.