37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” 40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. —Acts 2:37-47
Our mission statement at CBC: Glorify God, Love People, and Make Disciples
This morning we will examine the early church in Acts 2 whose lives were meshed together through embracing an identity in Christ. This church was void of any cultural elements of success, worldly strategies, or cultural evangelical expectations. They were committed to spending and sharing their lives together as they Glorified God and model for us their early disciplines as a Church. —Pastor Chris Casoni
Review Four Daily Questions:
- Do I have Faith in God?
- Am I satisfied in God?
- Am I obeying God?
- Am I worshiping God?
Five Disciplines to Glorify God AS WE GO
1. Teach & Bear witness (2:37-42)
37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” 40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. —Acts 2:37-42
- The Gospel changes lives and brings Glory to God (2:37-41)
- Baptism (2:37-42)
- Be devoted to the inspired Word (2:42)
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- Proclamation (1 Peter 2:9)
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. —1 Peter 2:9
2. Prayer & Worship (2:42; 47)
42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. … 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. —Acts 2:42;47
- Devoted to Prayer (2:42)
- Praise Him (Ps 150:1-6)
1 Praise the LORD! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! 2 Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! 3 Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! 4 Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! 5 Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! 6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD! Praise the LORD! —Psalm 150
Glorifying God in our worship has two parts:
3. Care & Contributions (2:45-46)
45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, —Acts 2:45-46
Contribute to Needs (Rom 12:13)
13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. —Romans 12:13
Love your neighbor as yourself (Rom 13:9-10)
9 For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. —Romans 13:9-10
Steward possessions, talents, and gifts for care of others (1 Pet 4:8-9)
8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. —1 Peter 4:8-9
God is glorified in a people whose concern is found in
4. Unity & Hospitality (2:44;46)
44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. … 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, —Acts 2:44;46
- Breaking bread & Communion (2:42;46)
True repentance leads to
- Jesus’ prayer of Unity (John 17:20-23)
20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. —John 17:20-23
5. Growing in Numbers and in Character (2:47)
47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. —Acts 2:47
We Glorify God as we go by
Five Questions:
- Am I being taught?
- Am I praying with others?
- Am I providing care and contributions?
- Am I growing with and spending time with others?
- Is my identity in Christ unifying me with others, even those who differ from my age, ethnicity, preferences, or socioeconomic status?
Small Group Questions
What did God teach you through this passage and sermon? Share the work of God in your heart with the group.
What questions did this passage and sermon raise in your mind? This would be a great opportunity as a group to use the Ask a Pastor feature and that way we can address it either directly or in the messages in the future.
How is community part of our mission to Glorify God? How is individualism hindering us from experiencing community?
What aspect of life in the early church do you most desire for our church or small group?
Which of Pastor Chris’ questions do you need to address most in your life? Why?
Five Questions:
- Am I being taught?
- Am I praying with others?
- Am I providing care and contributions?
- Am I growing with and spending time with others?
- Is my identity in Christ unifying me with others, even those who differ from my age, ethnicity, preferences, or socioeconomic status?