A GREAT CHURCH?

ACTS 2: 42-47The Fellowship of the Believers

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

I. A GREAT CHURCH EMPHASIZES LEARNING GOD’S WORD & WILL They devoted themselves to the

apostles’ teaching..." Jesus said, "All authority in heaven & on

earth has been given to me. Therefore go & make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father & of the Son & of the Holy Spirit, & teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." [Matt.28:18-20].

II. A GREAT CHURCH EXPERIENCES FELLOWSHIP “They devoted themselves to the

apostles’ teaching and to fellowship… "

III. A GREAT CHURCH INCLUDES COMMUNION “They devoted themselves to the

apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread..."

IV. A GREAT CHURCH INCLUDES CONSTANT & CONSISTENT PRAYER “They devoted themselves to the apostles’

teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

"After He had dismissed them, He went up on a mountainside by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone..." [Matthew 14:23]

"Then little children were brought to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them & pray for them" [Matthew 19:13].

"And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sin" [Mark 11:25].

"…Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, & spent the night praying…" [Luke 6:12].

V. A GREAT CHURCH HAS POWER AND TAKES ACTION “Everyone was filled with awe at the

many wonders and signs performed by the apostles."

VI. A GREAT CHURCH HAS A HEART FOR GIVING & SHARING “All the believers were together and had

everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.”

"Give & it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together & running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you" [Luke 6:38].

“Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil & his angels. For I was hungry & you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty & you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger & you did not invite me in, I needed clothes & you did not clothe me, I was sick & in prison & you did not look after me" [Matthew 25:41-43].

VII. A GREAT CHURCH IS FILLED WITH JOY "46 Every day they continued to meet

together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people."

A GREAT CHURCH?