Temple Baptist Church - 1-22-2023
Acts 2:41-47
Introduction:
A. Spiritual growth brings about spiritual maturity which brings about spiritual characteristics which brings about spiritual effectiveness.
2 Timothy 3:5 speaks of “having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof” as one of the signs of the last days. We are not only there but have been there for some time.
B. Churches in the Bible Belt have deteriorated to the point that, in our day, most of the newer believers have never known what it was to have a real spiritual church. They were born in the midst of the decline and have not experienced the soul saving revivals of the past. Decline happens over a long period of time as a general rule and its characteristics and affects are not always recognized by those who grace the pews of the local church.
C. There is a saying used by those born in the Revival Days of the South: “I was born in the fire and can’t stand the smoke.” Today’s “Christian” says, “I was born in the smoke and can’t stand the fire!”
D. In Revelation, chapter 2, the Lord rebuked the Apostolic Church for two things:
Revelation 2:4-6 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love ... Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works … But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
E. In the early years of the New Testament Church, we find the characteristics that the Lord admonished the Church of Ephesus, in Revelation chapter 2, to return to.
F. I think that it would do us well to look at what was happening in those early days that caused these new believers to turn the world upside down for Christ. These characteristics need to be continued in our churches today.
1. It Was A Church Was Marked By True Conversions – vs. 41
a. They gladly received his word. Most church members today want to be entertained, not converted. Today, If you preach the Word with power and conviction, the average church member is offended! They would have neither like John the Baptist or our Lord Jesus’ preaching!
b. They wanted to be baptized. You did not have to run them down and beg them to be baptized.
c. They assembled at the appointed times. You did not have to send the deacons out to find out why they were not in church. Today’s church is characterized by an unfaithful membership! Once in a while does them just fine!
2. It Was A Church Marked By Spiritual Growth – vs. 42
a. They loved and learned doctrine.
1) They gladly received it. They esteemed the Word of God more that their necessary food. Job 23:12 Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.
2) They rightly divided it. They were doctrinally correct. Revelation 2:2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:
b. They loved and knew God’s men.
1) They loved them - Galatians 4:15 Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.
2) They spend time with them - 1 Thessalonians 5:12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
c. They loved and spent time with each other.
1) They loved one another - 1 John 3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
2) They spent time with each other - Acts 2:46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
3. It Was A Church Marked By Powerful Prayer – vs. 42
a. They prayed often - Acts 1:14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
b. They prayed fervently - Acts 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
4. It Was A Church Marked By Unselfish Giving – vs. 43-45
a. They gave of themselves - 2 Corinthians 8:5 And [this they did], not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.
b. They gave of their finances - 2 Corinthians 8:3 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;
5. It Was A Church Marked By Spiritual and Doctrinal Unity – vs. 46
a. They had unity within the church - 1 Corinthians 1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
b. They had unity among themselves - Psalms 133:1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
Ephesians 4:3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
6. It Was A Church Marked By Vocal Worship – vs. 47
a. Their praising was vocal - Psalms 98:4 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.
1 Kings 1:40 And all the people came up after him, and the people piped with pipes, and rejoiced with great joy, so that the earth rent with the sound of them.
b. Their praising was uniform - Psalms 150:6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.
7. It Was Marked By Soul Winning – vs. 47
a. Soul winners must be trained - 1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
b. Soul winners must be available - Matthew 4:19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
Conclusion: May the Lord help us to be a spiritually effective church in these last days. May the Lord help us to allow our children to know what church should be.
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