## Keeping the Church Alive in 2005

## Acts 1:14

(Revelation 3:1) And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.

How would you like to have been a member of the Sardis Baptist Temple? To have a name and the appearance of a church that was alive, but in reality be a dead church! How sad, but I want us to understand this morning that we are only one generation away from that happening to this church! How can we keep that from happening?

The title of my message this morning is "Keeping the Church Alive in 2005". What will it take for that to happen? The typical church in America is satisfied with the status quo, they are satisfied with just maintaining or just surviving…holding on till Jesus comes. But that is not the pattern that we find in the New Testament. The church that Jesus started was a breakthrough church. It was a living and growing church! We find the account of this church in the early chapters of the book of Acts.

This morning I would like to draw on this example and give you four important truths that will keep us from becoming a casualty…it will keep us from becoming like the church in Sardis…it will keep us alive and growing throughout the coming year. If we will keep our focus on these truths.

I. One Mind: They were together.

(Philippians 2:2) Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

A. They were in 'one accord' or together.

(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.

1. In prayer, but before they could be together in their praying…

2. They had to be together in their thinking. (Acts 4:24) And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:

3. In ministry, but before they could be together in ministry…

4. They had to be together in their thinking. (Acts 5:12) And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.

5. In worship, but before they could be together in worship…

6. They had to be together in their thinking.

7. Being together was more than just being in the same place…physically.

(Acts 2:1) And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

8. Being together meant they were one- minded and functioning together.

a. Old comedy with Steve Martin, "All of Me"

b. Two people's souls together in one body, but not in one accord.

c. Each soul controlled half the body, and the results were hilarious.

d. But it isn't funny when it comes to a church.

e. The church in Acts, were one-minded and functioning together.

B. For the Grace Baptist Temple to thrive in 2005, we must be in 'one accord'.

1. In prayer…ministry…worship…and function!

2. It is vital for us to do this.

3. Note: Acts 2:42-47

4. Note the phrase 'added to the church'

5. What does that mean?

6. It means that when we unite with our local church, we are no longer 'apart' in our thinking, prayer, ministry, worship, and function!

7. Instead we become 'a part' of the whole!

8. We become a part of a 'one-minded' body of Christ.

9. If we are going to Thrive and Be Alive in 2005, we need folks who will be 'added to the church'…not just a name written on a membership roll, but a person who joins with us in function!

II. One Message: Jesus

(John 14:6) Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

(Romans 1:16) For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

A. Peter's message on the day of Pentecost: Jesus!

(Acts 2:22) Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:

B. Peter and John with the man who was lame.

(Acts 3:6) Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

C. Peter and John ministering in Jerusalem.

(Acts 5:42) And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

D. The central message of the Jerusalem church was Jesus Christ, and He must be the central message of Grace Baptist Temple! WHY?

(Acts 4:12) Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

III. One Model: Bible Basics

(Acts 2:41) Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

A. 'They gladly received his word'

(Ephesians 1:13) In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

1. Bible basic salvation is salvation by faith.

2. They heard the Gospel… Believed the Gospel... and were saved.

(Romans 10:13-14) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

3. Any other way of salvation is unbiblical!

B. They 'were baptized'.

1. This is public profession of their faith in Christ.

2. Biblical baptism never precedes a person's faith, nor does it provide salvation!

3. Biblical baptism is a way of expressing publicly the fact that we have placed our faith in Jesus Christ…and Him alone for our salvation!

4. Peter declares that it is 'the answer of a good conscience toward God'. cf 1Pe. 3:21

5. Any other purpose for baptism is unbiblical!

C. "They continued steadfastly"

(Acts 2:42) And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

1. This wasn't a whim…it wasn't a New Year's resolution…

2. They were determined to live for God.

3. Note 4 areas of their steadfast continuity:

a. In doctrine: teaching of the Word

(2 Timothy 3:16) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

b. In fellowship: not eating, but participating in the work

(Acts 4:32) And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

c. In breaking of bread: observing the ordinances of the Lord

(1 Corinthians 11:2) Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.

d. In prayers:

(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.

D. In the coming year, we must not lose focus on the basics of this ministry.

1. Seeing folks come to Christ and seeing them join the church.

2. Discipling them and seeing them grow in grace.

3. Continuing steadfastly in the basic doctrines of God's Word.

IV. One Motivation: Whatever it takes

(Acts 2:44-45) And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

A. They were willing to do whatever it took to see the work of God go forward.

B. They gave sacrificially.

C. They worked alongside one another.

D. They ministered to each other as well as to their world.

E. Are we willing to do whatever it takes to see the work of God go forward in this church?

As we begin this New Year of ministry, will we be satisfied with the status quo? Will we be satisfied with just maintaining or just surviving? Or will we choose to be a New Testament church … a breakthrough church? A church that is alive and thriving...is made up of members who are alive and thriving in their walk with God.

What is your need this morning? For some it is to come to Christ by faith and be saved. For others it is to be obedient to Christ's command of baptism and publicly profess your faith in Him. For others it is to unite with this church not in form, but in function. Will you commit your life to Christ today? Come now, whatever the need.