Acts 2:40-42
"Church Building 101"
Gospelcom Bible Gateway

⁴⁰And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, "Be saved from this perverse generation." ⁴¹Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. ⁴²And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.

INTRODUCTION:

A. The word church is mentioned in the New Testament 118 times. The primary reference to the church is in the book of Acts. When this church was born, it birthed 3000 baby believers. It was highly disorganized. What they had was vital, they had a living relationship with the Lord Jesus. Jesus wrote in Revelation 2 and 3 "You are doing many things right, but you have left your first love." When Jesus said "I stood at the door and knocked" he was talking about trying to get into the church. This passage is one of those landmark times and hinges in scripture. This is all about the first church, it has been birthed, this is our model, this is our template.

B. We battle two things whenever we come to church..

1. Our Preconceptions: We all have an idea of what church ought to be

2. Our Culture: We live in a consumer-oriented culture, egocentric, materialistic and we say "what's in it for me?" That is why people go church shopping. We live with man centered, churches, is it good for my kids? Do they have knitting classes?

3. Instead of being anthropocentric we need to be theocentric.

4. It is NOT what does the church have to offer to you but rather, "What do you have to offer."

D. We see three ingredients of the first church in this passage

E. This passage shows us our pattern, model or grid of how we ought to be doing church

1. A Bold Proclamation of the Gospel into the lives of others

2. Glad Reception of the Gospel message into our lives

3. A Steadfast Dedication and faithfulness.

F. Bottom line....Be saved, listen to the message and be dedicated to it

I. Bold Proclamation

A. Conviction of sin leads one to recognition of the need of a savior. This in turns leads to salvation BUT ONLY WHEN the Gospel is Proclaimed.

B. Are you proclaiming the Gospel to those that are lost in your life?

C. God has specifically placed you in the world but not apart of the world so that you might bear witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. IF you are not doing this in your life then those that God has placed into your path might never hear and be saved. We are ALL called to proclaim the Gospel

D. You have been placed where you are to reach those that God has put into your path. Take a few moments to think about this and evaluate how and if you are doing this.

E. Remember that in v36 Peter said "Therefore, let all the house of Israel... " Peter gave a scripture filled, convicting message telling them that they needed to repent.

F. It was a threatening time for the apostles yet in Acts 4:3 it states that "they spoke the word of God with bold ness...

G Paul boldly proclaimed the word of God everywhere he went. If you want to live in the book of Acts then preach the Good Word and get the message out.

H. Do people know that you are a Christian? Do they know why?

I. Some say they just live their witness, but if you don't tell people they will never know.

J. Are you a "Lady Clairol Christian" so that, "Only God knows for sure"?

I. Why are Christians afraid to share the gospel? Why are preachers afraid to preach the gospel? Why are you afraid to share?

II. Glad Reception

A. How many were baptized that first day in the church?

B. What do we need for a church to grow?

1. Scattering hands

2. Listening ears

3. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God

C.How should you hear?

1. Jesus said take heed how you hear Luke 8:18

2. Hebrew 2

3. Are you an active listener or a passive listener?

III. Steadfast Dedication

A. v42 and they continued steadfastly.. There was steadfast dedication in the church. To adhere with strength. These Christians had a passion for Christ and were dedicated, an ongoing devotion. Do you abide in Him?

B. What was this early church dedicated to doing?

C. "They continued steadfastly" (pros-ka-te-re-o) to be earnest towards or to be constantly diligent. They had a passion to grow. See also v46 Ongoing process of a firm dedication.

D. Jesus used the word abide (meno) to remain or maintain a constant relationship with me (John 15)

E. Remember that these were 3000 baby new-born Christians that were dong this.

F. What does your life reflect? Is it like the early church here in Acts 2:40-42?

APPLICATION:

1. That's the kind of churches Jesus wants to build, Christ centered churches.

2. Let's get back to the supremacy of Jesus.

3. Let's be a church that's dedicated, committed, faithful

4. Dedicate yourself to a continual faithfulness to the body of OHC

5. Share the gospel with a non-believer this week

6. Look at your life & see where and how you share the gospel. Is it bold?

7. Since the Spirit indwells us we are the temple of the Holy Spirit. Does He feel welcome? Why not?

MEMORY VERSE FOR THIS WEEK:

ACTS 2:42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.