Know Him and Make Him Known 02
September 18, 2022

Community Groups

Acts 2:42-47 (NLT)

Know Him and Make Him Known 02 | Mick Veach | Lead Pastor | first aired on 09.18.2022

I. Introduction

Read Scripture
The Believers Form a Community

42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper[a]), and to prayer.

43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity[b]— 47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved. —Acts 2:42-47

A. Review

  1. Exposing counterfeit Christianity
  2. Building your foundation on the rock (Jesus)
  3. Knowing Jesus is the most important item in your life

B. We must be like Issachar—Understood the time in which we live

  1. We blame the society and yes society has the spirit of the anti-Christ for sure
  2. We must look in the mirror and see that the church has waned in her commitment

C. The word of the prophet Amos to Israel are as applicable today as they were in his day

  1. He declared God’s judgment on various nations but also included Israel as guilty

D. The middle ground in American Christianity is evaporating

  1. This is a good thing, no more lukewarm believers
  2. Only two groups—hot and cold

E. Community groups are critical for the day we live in:

  1. It is possible the church will take a massive hit in the 2024 political season
  2. The church has lost the cultural battle—that ship has left
  3. We must learn to live in Babylon

F. The early church is our model as they face incredible persecution and they not only survived, they changed the world. How did they do it?

  1. Devoted themselves to teaching
  2. Fellowship and meals
  3. Prayer together
  4. Performed miracles
  5. Cared for on another
  6. The Lord added to their number daily those being saved

II. Let’s look at the Reason that keep people from joining groups and the WHY community groups are essential

A. Reasons that Keep People from

Groups


  1. Uncomfortable with the unknown
  2. Lack of relational ability
  3. Lack of Trust
  4. Lack of Time
  5. Lack of Emotional Energy
  6. Painful and hurtful Experiences
  7. Family is Enough (a loner)

    a. Gen. 2:18—God said it is not good for man to be alone
    b. Hebrew 10:23-24—Let’s not give up on meeting together…


Key Point: Take your excuse and put it on the altar and surrender to God’s way

B. WHY Community Groups are


  1. We Experience Jesus Together
  2. We Love One Another Together
  3. We Learn from One Another Together
  4. We hold each other Accountable Together

    a. Ephesians 4:25
    b. Sin and addiction loses its power when it is brought to the light

  5. We teach wisdom to one another Together

  6. We Encourage One Another Together
  7. We Support One Another Together
  8. We will Comfort One Another Together

    a. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 — Comfort others with the comfort we have received

  9. We will Serve One Another Together

  10. We will Confess our Sins to One Another Together
  11. We will show Hospitality to One Another Together
  12. se biblical truths bring us into Relationships that are:

    a. Personal
    b. Deepening
    c. Supportive
    d. Encouraging


Key Point—We are the Church, let’s start acting like it by how we love one another

III. Call to Action

1. Stop, Listen and See
2. Sign up for a Group
3. Be All In

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