SOUL TRAIN: THE POWER OF LIVING ON GOD’S TRACK

Community Crossing
August 22, 2021

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· The book of Acts tells us the story of the first century church. It didn’t begin as an institution. It began as a movement.

ekklesia (Church) actually means: an assembly or gathering.

1. A SIMPLE message.

2. An EXPANDING mission.

3. A SERIOUS devotion.

· Devoted means: To be earnest towards, to persevere, be constantly diligent, or to attend tirelessly to all the exercises.

Acts 2:42-47 - They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he 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.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 - Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

* Encourage means: To call near, invite, invoke.

* Build up means: To be a house-builder, construct, confirm.

* What do you do when you connect (community groups) with others?

1. AFFIRM each other’s worth.

A. With ACCEPTANCE

Romans 15:7 - Accept one another, just as Christ accepted you…

B. With ATTENTION

C. With APPRECIATION

2. PRAY for other’s growth.

Ephesians 3:16-19 - I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge — that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Hebrews 13:20-21 - May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, 21 equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Romans 15:13 - May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 1:17 - I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.

2 Thessalonians 3:5 - May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.

3. ADMIT our OWN mistakes.

Ephesians 4:25 - Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.

Two benefits:

A. Emotional HEALING from pain.

James 5:16 - Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

B. Power from God to lift YOU up.

James 4:10 - Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

4. ENCOURAGE others to grow spiritually.

1 Timothy 4:7-8 - Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.