It is interesting to me, as a pastor, to listen to what people have to say about church. It is more interesting to hear what they have to say about this church! The apostle Paul said that he was willing to be "...all things to all men...". But that is a tall order.
Some folks are looking for a bigger church, others are looking for a smaller church. Some want one that is more elaborate, while others think we are too pretentious. Some like the formalism of orthodoxy, and for others we are too organized. On any given Sunday, we are either too hot or we are too cold. My messages are too long, or too short??? Well, maybe they are never too short! But you get the picture.
Read: Acts 2:41-46
Meet the Powerful First Baptist Church of Jerusalem. (Baptist??? The charter members were all baptized by a Baptist preacher)
What Gave That Dynamic Church Its Power? The same thing that will empower Grace Baptist Temple to be what God would have us to be.
It is not easy being Grace Baptist Temple. We are unique among churches, and I wouldn't want to have it any other way. I suppose if there was one thing that I would like for us to be...it would be that we be known as a loving church. I believe there is great power there.
I. They Loved the Lord (vv. 41-42)
A. "They that gladly received his word were baptized"
1. They responded to God's message of love (the gospel)
2. They evidenced their love for God through their obedience to God's commands.
B. Observance of local church ordinances remind us of God's love.
1. The Lord's Supper speaks of Christ's death.
(1 Cor 11:23-26) "For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: {24} And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. {25} After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. {26} For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come."
2. Baptism speaks of His burial and resurrection.
(Rom 6:3-4) "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? {4} Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."
3. Our obedience to the Lord's commands in these areas shows our love for Christ
II. They Loved One Another (vv. 42-46)
A. "In the apostle's doctrine"
1. They loved to gather to hear God's Word
2. It important that we study the Word together, and that we are encouraged in our walk with Christ.
3. There are those who remain spiritual infants, because they are not nourished in the Word of God.
4. Listen to the admonition of the writer of Hebrews concerning the spiritual growth of these Jewish believers.
(Heb 5:12) "For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat."
B. "In fellowship"
1. This is a great reason for gathering to worship the Lord.
2. As Christians, we are instructed to love the brethren.
(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."
3. We should love and encourage one another when we come together.
4. Unfortunately the tendency is to come together less and less.
(Heb 10:25) "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."
C. "In breaking of bread"
1. This implies both the sharing the Lord's table together
2. And coming together for times of fellowship around a meal.
3. In a family, meals together are great times to talk with one another.
4. Nothing quite like a good family picnic or reunion.
5. Nothing quite like getting together at church for a time of fellowship.
D. "In prayers"
1. Building love for one another through praying.
2. Bro. Dewey told me why it meant so much to him to know that we were praying for him…because he knew and loved us!
3. Prayer time is a time of sharing needs and rejoicing in God's provision.
III. They Loved Lost People (v. 47)
A. They were constantly witnessing and praising God
1. Why did they do it?
2. Not because it was the popular thing to do in their day.
3. They did it because of their love for the Lord, and because they loved the lost.
4. We need to stop and remember where we were, and where we would be if someone hadn't loved us enough to share the gospel truth with us.
B. The Lord added to the church daily
1. It is not normal for a church not to grow.
2. I realize that we lose folks along the way due to a variety of reasons.
3. However, we must never take the attitude that we have enough and we need no more.
4. When we are all to be involved in the outreach, we will see people added to the church!
5. The whole church is to be a team united with one goal…to reach the world for Christ.
C. Missions is important, but that isn't the only way we are to reach out.
1. I love missions and missionaries.
2. Someday, if the Lord gives me the strength and means, when I retire from pastoring, I want to continue to be directly involved in mission work.
3. But we cannot be satisfied with letting the missionary reach souls in other countries…
4. We must reach our community for Christ.
The power of love is awesome. If we would only increase our love for God, for each other, and for the lost…we would see some great and mighty things take place for His honor and glory. Will you come tonight?