scripture: acts 1:1-28:31

The Church That Acts Overview of the book of Acts

The Books of Acts

Ephesians 5:25-27 reminds of why Jesus died: for the Church. A person can't truly love God and avoid the church (1 John). The book of Acts reveals a couple of patterns concerning the early church: 1. The early church was passionate about spreading the Gospel. They prayed about it and participated in spreading the Gospel, and we also see that the church was persecuted for it. Even in the face of indifference, rejection, and persecution, the early church continued to pray for boldness in preaching the Gospel regardless of other people's response. 2. The early church genuinely cared or one another. We even see from the creation of Eve that companionship conquers loneliness, and community/relationship is better than independence. Christians enjoy God to the fullest in community with one another. As the new and permanent High Priest, Jesus cleanses sinners by His blood and removes the stain of sin through His sacrifice. Because of this wonderful news, Christians are told to: - draw near to God with a clear conscience (Heb. 10:22) - hold fast to the confession of our hope [the sacrifice of Jesus] without wavering (vs 23) - stir one another up to love and good works (vs 24) - don’t make a habit of missing meeting together (vs 25a) - encourage one another more and more (vs 25b) It will sometimes be harder to do this together (rather than individually), but God assures us it will be better together.

Ephesians 5:25-27 reminds of why Jesus died: for the Church. A person can't truly love God and avoid the church (1 John). The book of Acts reveals a couple of patterns concerning the early church: 1. The early church was passionate about spreading the Gospel. They prayed about it and participated in spreading the Gospel, and we also see that the church was persecuted for it. Even in the face of indifference, rejection, and persecution, the early church continued to pray for boldness in preaching the Gospel regardless of other people's response. 2. The early church genuinely cared or one another. We even see from the creation of Eve that companionship conquers loneliness, and community/relationship is better than independence. Christians enjoy God to the fullest in community with one another. As the new and permanent High Priest, Jesus cleanses sinners by His blood and removes the stain of sin through His sacrifice. Because of this wonderful news, Christians are told to: - draw near to God with a clear conscience (Heb. 10:22) - hold fast to the confession of our hope [the sacrifice of Jesus] without wavering (vs 23) - stir one another up to love and good works (vs 24) - don’t make a habit of missing meeting together (vs 25a) - encourage one another more and more (vs 25b) It will sometimes be harder to do this together (rather than individually), but God assures us it will be better together.

The message of the Triune God triumphs

What does it mean "This friendship will last more than a lifetime"? Do we really understand the relationships we are to have with one another? The people, whose lives are chronicled in the book of Acts did. And we can learn a lot in their relationships one to another.

What does it mean "This friendship will last more than a lifetime"? Do we really understand the relationships we are to have with one another? The people, whose lives are chronicled in the book of Acts did. And we can learn a lot in their relationships one to another.

Weekly sermons by our Senior Pastor, Jeremy Lazzell.