06/28/2009

9:45 Class: Proverbs 30:20 "This is the way of an adulteress: She eats and wipes her mouth and says, `I've done nothing wrong.' 21. Under three things the earth trembles, under four it cannot bear up: 22. a servant who becomes king, a fool who is full of food, 23. an unloved woman who is married, and a maidservant who displaces her mistress.

Scripture reading: #471

Vesper's this evening at 5:00! An evening of music...join us as we do an old-fashioned 'hymn sing.'

Wednesday @ 7 p.m.: Miracles, “For those who believe in God, no explanation is necessary. For those who do not, no explanation is possible.” John LaFarge

Purpose of the Church

Acts 2.42. 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.

These verses in the Second Chapter of Acts give an example of four primary areas of focus for the early church. The result of the early church doing these four things faithfully was the salvation of many.

Interestingly, none of these four things was evangelism. We've put the cart before the horse...trying to quantify before qualifying.

It is a simple if/then proposition: if the church will do these four things faithfully, then God will add to the church those who are being saved.

These are the four things - teaching, fellowship, hospitality, and prayer.

Teaching: There is a difficult balance between moving people “by the foolishness of the preaching of the gospel” and people changing because of the “renewing of their minds” through teaching. People are led by their emotions, but changed by their minds. “Think on these things…” It is a very difficult thing for a pastor to do...lead spiritually AND bring renewal. One is done through the heart, the other through the mind. 

Fellowship: This is the developing of friendships. Not just a backslapping ‘fare-thee-well’ conviviality, but a deep relationship that understands, has empathy and compassion.

Hospitality: The outgrowth of Fellowship is Hospitality. We learn of our brother’s needs/burdens through the fellowship we have with one another; we meet those needs through the exercise of Hospitality.

Prayer: Jesus said, “It is written, my house shall be called a house of prayer.” This isn’t a simple exercise of memorized words and phrases. This is a communication of soul, an intercession of one person on behalf of another, or, a time of praise and worship from a soul to God. It is the primary source of health and vibrancy for a Christian.

Many congregations center their focus and activities on “evangelism.” Evangelism is a natural result of concentrating on Teaching, Fellowship, Hospitality, and Prayer.

“…And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” (vs 47)

People will come to know the Lord if they see the Lord in us through the things Jesus commanded.

Matthew 5:16. “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”