Points of Meditation & Reflection

Sermon Title & Text “Devoted When Life Happens” Acts 2:41-47 ESV
Devoted: Key to Personal and Church Growth
Message in a Sentence: Our greatest wins come when we respond to life through a Christ Centered focus and rooted in the gospel.
• Growth Model: The first of several church growth reports is in 2:47. It was the Lord that added as they were being saved. This growth was directly connected to their devoted lifestyle from 42-47a. Over the next few weeks we want to look at the Lord’s continual method and plan for growing His people & His church.
• In Ac 2:41-47 the church was devoted & life keeps on coming. Being devoted doesn’t happen in a classroom or laboratory, it happens through our real life realities. In Ac 3 & 4 Peter & John put a face & action to the phrase “They devoted themselves”. Through their devotion God uses them to multiply the church [touch many lives].
Transformed by the Gospel: The Root of Devotion. From Report #1 [2:47] to Report #2 [4:4] there is a real situation & the truth of the gospel.
1. A Christ Centered Response: Responding to Life
a. Prayer time, but not all welcome 3:1-2
b. But what I do have I give…3:6
c. Positioned to Witness 3:7-11
2. A Gospel Centered View: Applying a Christ Centered World View
a. Him not us. 3:12-13
b. Faith in Christ’s name makes strong 3:16
c. Christ is the Expected Jesus 3:17-24
d. Sent to Bless You By Turning You 3:25-26
3. How God Uses Real Life & Gospel Centered View: Effective Problems
a. God’s view confronts a people centered view 4:3
b. A Devoted Christ centered response & A Gospel centered View changes souls Acts 4:4

How we respond to “life” is our reflection of our view of Christ and the gospel message about Christ. I encourage you, this week, to use the Acts 2:42 model to devote yourself to (1)studying Acts 3-4:4, (2&3)sharing your thoughts with at least 1 person & (4)praying daily for how to apply HIs word.

To continue to develop your relationship with Christ, spend time every day this week praying and meditating on this passage and it’s truths [EveryDay Jesus - below].

Edward

Everyday Jesus: Lord grow us through a deeper Christ centered worldview and our embrace of the gospel.

· Monday:Read Acts 2:41-4:4 Devotion leads to spiritual growth in 2:47 & 4:4. In between two points of growth is our Christ centered response to life & Gospel centered focus. Today, ask God to deepen your Christ centered responses,above your human response. And, ask God to deepen/refresh the gospel message in your soul.
· Tuesday: Read Acts 3:1-4:4 Peter & John respond to “life” by offering Christ and sharing the gospel, it lands them in prison. But, God turned souls to Him, through them. Today, ask God for a fresh perspective of the tough things that are your “life”.
· Wednesday: {Day of Fasting} Read Acts 3:1-11 & 2:11. There were many beggars outside the temple & around town, He chose to use one that would maximize His work & glory. Ask God who He wants you to share “the mighty works of God”, with in your life.
· Thursday: Read Ac 3:12-26 Peter used the gospel to explain what all clearly witnessed. Ask God to relate to “life” through the gospel.
· Friday: Read Acts 4:4 Peter & John are in prison, but God is turning souls to Him. What are you devoted/committed to do to win souls for Christ. We respond vaguely with “anything or everything for the Lord”. Today, ask God what specific thing(s) He wants you to do for Him, through what is in your “life”.
· Saturday: Read Acts 4:4-6:7 The next report of the growth of the church, and therefore people in the church, is in Acts 6:7. As you read, pay attention to the problems arising within the church. Ask God to prepare your heart to hear and receive from Him, through Acts 6:7.