As we are emerging into this new season as a Church we are going to take a look back at the blueprint of a Healthy Church that lives in Acts.

Acts 2:42-47
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

Acts 2:42-47
They were devoted to their comfort, happiness, personal goals, dreams, and bucket lists. No one really noticed the Christians because they focused on themselves. Very few of the believers were together, and when they were, they fought about stupid things. If they sold anything, they used the money to buy something better for themselves. They claimed to love God, but they didn’t even love each other. So they felt empty, alone, and depressed. As a result, most people disliked them and very few lives were changed.

3 ways of BEING in Acts 2

I. Being an intensely

church.

Acts 2:42
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”

Word translated “devoted.” Pros—Car—Terry—O

Proskartereo - to live in a constant state of relentless pursuit; persistent, ongoing, obstinate devotion. (Imperfect tense/Ongoing action)

A. Practically this looks like an

theme not a full time full conscious pursuit. Think of college, you are pursuing a degree program but study many and diverse things on the way to that goal. The pursuit of God haunts your every waking thought.

B. The 1st Christians were

in their pursuit, they pursued until it was uncomfortable and then kept going.

II. Being a

Reveal Answer

generous

church.

Acts 4:33-34
“…And God’s grace was so

Reveal Answer

powerfully

at work in them all 34 that there were no needy persons among them.”

A. We will lead the way with

Reveal Answer

generosity

. Because we truly believe it is more blessed to give than to receive.

B. We will give creatively in ways that

lives and

Reveal Answer

free

people from scarcity and poverty.

III. BEING a church that prioritizes

Reveal Answer

community

.

Acts 4:46-47
“Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

A. They met in the temple (church) and then carried it out to their homes and in their

Reveal Answer

community

and ate together with glad and sincere hearts. And the lord added to their number daily.

B. Take

on new people. It’s not easy, it’s not simple, it’s tricky and hard and sometimes terrifying. It is also the way by which people will know the love of God

Reveal Answer

inside

and

Reveal Answer

outside

of the Church.

John 13:34-35
34A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another. 35By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”

We are not spiritual consumers. We are spiritual contributors. The church doesn’t exist for us. We are the church. And we exist for the world.

Eph 3:20-21
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”