In week 5 of our series, The Life of a Jesus Follower, Pastor Scott taught from Acts 2:42-47. God can use all the relationships in His family to deepen your relationship with Him. Check out this sermon to learn more!
Sermon Notes
The Life of a Jesus Follower Week 5: Life in Community
“And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.” Acts 2:42-47
Because of real community, there is a radical commitment that is ridiculously contagious.
Foundational Truth:
The life of a Jesus follower is all about relationships!
1. We Need One Another to Grow in Intimacy With God
“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” v.42
You will never become all that God has created you to be by yourself.
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Hebrews 10:24-25
“And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.” Acts 2:43
God can use all the relationships in His family to deepen my relationship with Him.
1. Easy Relationships
2. Hard Relationships
“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” Colossians 3:12-13
“And all who believed were together and had all things in common.” Acts 2:44
2. We Need One Another to Walk Through the Ups and Downs of Life
“And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.” Acts 2:45
“Love one another”
“Be devoted to one another”
“Give preference to one another”
“Accept one another”
“Admonish one another”
“Encourage one another”
“Greet one another”
“Serve one another”
“Bear one another’s burdens”
“Pray for one another”
“Be kind to one another”
“Forgiving one another”
“Be hospitable to one another”
“Comfort one another”
3. We Need One Another to Accomplish the Mission
“And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people.” Acts 2:46
“Spiritual formation occurs primarily in the context of community. Long-term interpersonal relationships are the place of genuine progress in the Christian life. People who stay, grow. People who leave, do not grow. It is a simple yet profound reality that we both grow and thrive together, or we don’t grow much at all.” The authors of a book called Slow Church
“And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.” 2:47
“‘But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.’” Acts 1:8
You will never become all that God has created you to be by yourself.
I would join a group, BUT…
B – I’m too BUSY U – It’s UNCOMFORTABLE T – I’ve TRIED it, and it “didn’t work” / It’s TOO HARD with kids
