Acts of the Apostles: But, the Church

Story: Have you ever wondered about all that you see in the church today? The programs, ministries, and activities that we do, and thought to yourself… I wonder if this is necessary? I wonder if I could do this better?

Starting out in ministry I had the mentality of “I’m going to do things differently.” :) I think it's a combination of being an entrepreneur and being a little different. But the reality is that the systems we have in many of our churches today are actually there for a purpose.

The systems and ministries are actually there for our freedom, not restriction. They serve as a guide to fulfill all God has called the church to accomplish. So to say that you are “all in” with the church in reality is to say that you are “all in” with obeying God.

Anybody ever heard of Redding, California? How about Bethel Church?

“Is this heaven, or Redding?

The North State city of 91,000 is home to a church, Bethel, with 11,000 members and a commitment to community so intense it’s almost supernatural. No institution in our state is better at engaging with its hometown.

While the experts say civic engagement is supposed to be strategic, planned and targeted at specific issues, Bethel’s engagement with Redding is big and broad, touching almost every aspect of civic life. And it is grounded not in activist jargon, but in celebration and love — not just of God but also of the place where you live.

This lack of structure in Bethel’s assistance to its hometown suggests a broader lesson for community building: Stop overthinking things, and just throw yourself, heart and soul, into addressing people’s needs.

When Redding’s civic auditorium was failing, Bethel helped put together a nonprofit, Advance Redding, to fix its management. When the Redding Police Department was about to lay off four officers, Bethel raised money to keep the cops on. After the Carr fire destroyed more than 1,000 residences last summer, Bethel gave $1,000 in cash to every family, church member or not, who lost a home.

Bethel also has connected Redding to the world.

… In Redding, as it is in heaven.” - Joe Matthews | DesertSun & USA Today Network

Question: Isn’t that amazing?

Passage: Acts 2:40-47 CSB

With many other words he testified and strongly urged them, saying, “Be saved from this corrupt generation!” 41 So those who accepted his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand people were added to them. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.

43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and signs were being performed through the apostles. 44 Now all the believers were together and held all things in common. 45 They sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as any had need.

46 Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with joyful and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. Every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

Pray:

Background:

The beginning of this chapter starts with the day of Pentecost. Pentecost was also called the Feast of Weeks, which is one of three major annual festivals. It was held 50 days after the Passover and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jews from many nations would gather for this festival.

In a meeting where the believers were gathered together, the Holy Spirit suddenly appeared and filled the whole house. His appearance came with rushing wind, tongues of fire, and they began speaking in other native languages. This was prophecy fulfilled and the Holy Spirit coming to move among His people.

Some people standing on the outside were confused and some even accused them of being drunk. Peter then stood up to deliver a profound message of truth and the Gospel. Peter testified that the Old Testament prophecies were fulfilled in Jesus, told of Jesus as Messiah, and how the resurrection of Jesus could change their lives.

We’re picking up towards the end of Peter’s power and spirit-filled message and the result of the Holy Spirit moving in the lives of His people.

Title: But, the Church

Main Points: The early church…

1. Gathered Regularly
   1. With many other words he testified and strongly urged them, saying, “Be saved from this corrupt generation!” 41 So those who accepted his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand people were added to them. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.
   2. Peter’s message was simple
      1. “Repent and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” - V38
      2. It was this simple message empowered by the Holy Spirit that led to about 3000 coming to faith! Let’s go!
      3. The Gospel message is this - repentance and faith.
   3. Illust: David’s Men/Evangelism
      1. This week I got to hear our men of Pinewood testify. What’s beautiful about the body of Christ is that we are unique in our delivery, but united in our message.
      2. You don’t have to be poetic or eloquent, you just have to be authentic, spirit filled, and biblically sound.
   4. They devoted themselves to…
      1. Teaching
      2. Fellowship
      3. Communion
      4. Prayer
      5. Question: What does this type of gathering sound like? Church!

   5. The Critic

      1. I often speak with believers in the community that are so tainted towards the local church. They talk about the things they don’t like about the church, but often times the things they don’t like are the very things that leads us to growth and maturity in our faith.

      2. Byproduct of isolation from the church

         1. Can’t hear from God
         2. Lack of community
         3. Stagnant in faith
         4. Doubt or disbelief

         5. Finding fulfillment in temporary activities 3. I believe the problem isn’t the systems in the church, but our lack of knowledge surrounding the purpose and mission of the church found in Scripture.

            6. Growth Gatherings @ Pinewood
               1. Sunday Gatherings - Grow in your knowledge

         6. demonstrate the ordinances of the Christian faith 2. Growth Track - Grow in our unity

         7. doctrice, mission, values, and vision 3. Crews - Grow in community

         8. mini-churches/future churches 4. Team Nights - Grow in leadership

         9. discipleship, ministry training, business meeting 5. Prayer Meetings - Grow in your prayer life (the engine of the church)

            7. Application: Devote yourself

      3. “And let us watch out for one another to provoke love and good works, not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.” - Hebrews 10:24-25 CSB

      4. Gave Sacrificially

         1. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and signs were being performed through the apostles. 44 Now all the believers were together and held all things in common. 45 They sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as any had need.
         2. Question: Do you believe in miracles today?

      5. There was awe, many wonders, and signs.

      6. Jesus said “And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes; if they should drink anything deadly, it will not harm them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will get well.” - Mark 16:17-18

      7. He’s still moving! He’s still moving! He’s still moving! And He so desires to move through you!

         1. We’re not waiting on a move of God, you are the move of God!

            3. There is power in unity
               1. They “held all things in common”
               2. This is why gossip and divisive talk have no place in Gods house!
               3. When you are caught talking about someone is it honoring them and God or is it selfish in nature?
               4. The world is looking for something different than hypocrites, gossipers, and haters. They are looking for authenticity, honor, and unconditional love!
            4. Distribution of proceeds
               1. They lived a generous and sacrificial life… and it changed the world
               2. This method of individual worked well for a season, but later they would change the methods to bring their money to the apostles and they would distribute as people had need.
               3. Question: What’s your response when you see a need? Do you pray? Do you give? Do you show up? Do you send flowers?

         2. Or do you ignore? Do you run? Do you assume someone else will pick up the tab?

         3. Grew Daily
            1. 46 Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with joyful and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. Every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
            2. Growth Model

      8. Gathered together

         1. Temple & house to house (Church & Crews) 2. Joyful and sincere

         2. Hypocracy looks bad on you 3. Praising God

         3. Humility looks good on you 4. Enjoying favor

         4. Favor doesn’t fall on the fortunate, it rests on the faithful

         5. Favor is not a burden, it’s a joy, it’s a privilege, it’s a gift from God 5. THE LORD ADDED (Saving is God's business)
            3. One of my favorite passages -> But God…
               1. “But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” - ‭‭Romans‬ ‭5:8‬
               2. Where would we be “But God”
               3. Where would the world be “But God”
            4. But, the Church
               1. The Church is the body of Christ! We’re His plan A for reaching the world with the hope of the Gospel and advancing His kingdom.
               2. But, the church prayed
               3. But, the church gave
               4. But, the church reached out
               5. But, the church showed up
            5. What if…
               1. What if people gave up on the church because the church gave up on them?
               2. What if people walk away from God cause the church walked away from them?
               3. What if our city never heard about the church because the church never served them?
               4. Let’s change the narrative…