Caldwell Christian Church
Sunday, November 1

      • 1 Chronicles 16:34NKJV

      • Psalm 122:6NKJV

      • Bible Trivia
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  • Who You Say I Am
  • Wonderful Merciful Savior
  • Sons And Daughters
  • Who Is Like The Lord

  • Acts 2:42-47

    Introduction
    Matthew 16:18
    Jesus promised, "I will build My church."
    Acts 2 shows us what the church Jesus builds looks like.

    I. The Apostles' Doctrine

    • Revealed Truth (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

    • Biblical Authority (Colossians 3:17)

    • Sound Teaching (Titus 2:1)

    • The Faith Once Delivered (Jude 3)

    Application

    Will we submit to God's Word?

    II. The Fellowship

    • Shared Life (1 John 1:3)

    Fellowship is more than friendship.
    Fellowship begins with a shared relationship with Christ.
    The early church shared faith, purpose, worship, and mission.
    We are connected not merely because we attend the same church but because we belong to the same Savior.
    Genuine fellowship moves people from spectators to family.

    • One Body (Romans 12:4-5)

    Every believer belongs to the body.
    No member is unnecessary.
    No member can accomplish God's purpose alone.
    The health of the church depends upon believers working together.
    The early church understood that "we belong to one another."

    • Bearing Burdens (Galatians 6:2)

    Fellowship becomes visible when people help one another.
    We rejoice with those who rejoice.
    We weep with those who weep.
    The church is called to carry burdens together.
    When one member suffers, the whole body responds.

    • Partnership in Ministry (Philippians 1:5)

    Fellowship includes participation in the work of the gospel.
    Every believer has a ministry.
    Every believer has a role in the mission.
    Partnership multiplies effectiveness.
    The church grows stronger when every member serves.
    Application
    Do we know the people sitting around us?
    Are we investing in relationships within the church?
    Are we carrying someone else's burden?
    Are we participating in ministry?
    Fellowship requires intentional commitment.

    III. The Breaking of Bread

    • Remembering Christ (Luke 22:19)

    Jesus did not ask His followers merely to remember facts.
    He asked them to remember Him.
    The Lord's Supper keeps the cross before the church.
    Every week we return to Calvary.
    We remember His body given for us and His blood shed for us.
    The church must never move beyond the cross.

    • Proclaiming His Death (1 Corinthians 11:26)

    Communion is not only backward looking.
    It is also a proclamation.
    Every time believers gather around the Lord's Table they preach a sermon without words.
    We announce to the world that Jesus died for sinners.
    The cross remains our only hope.

    • Celebrating Grace (1 Corinthians 10:16)

    The cup and the bread remind us that salvation is a gift.
    We come to the table because of grace.
    We do not come because we are worthy.
    We come because Christ is worthy.
    Communion reminds us that our standing with God rests in Christ alone.

    • Anticipating His Return (1 Corinthians 11:26)

    The Lord's Supper points backward to the cross.
    It also points forward to Christ's return.
    Every observance declares that Jesus is coming again.
    The church lives between the cross and the crown.
    We remember what He has done and anticipate what He will do.
    Application
    Does the Cross
    Remain Central?
    The early church was devoted to sound doctrine.
    The early church was devoted to biblical fellowship.
    The early church was devoted to the Lord's Table.
    The early church was also devoted to prayer.
    No church can be spiritually healthy without dependence upon God.

    IV. The Prayers

    • Dependence on God (Philippians 4:6)

    Prayer acknowledges our dependence upon God.
    The early church knew they could not accomplish God's work through human wisdom alone.
    Prayer is a declaration that we need God's help.
    A praying church is a humble church.
    When prayer declines, self-reliance increases.

    • Seeking God's Will (Matthew 6:10)

    Prayer is not merely asking God to bless our plans.
    Prayer is seeking God's plans.
    Jesus taught His disciples to pray, "Your will be done."
    The goal of prayer is alignment with God's purposes.
    Healthy churches seek God's direction before their own preferences.

    • Interceding for Others (James 5:16)

    The early church prayed for one another.
    Prayer strengthens both the one praying and the one being prayed for.
    Intercession demonstrates love and concern for fellow believers.
    One of the greatest ministries in the church is praying faithfully for others.

    • Accessing God's Power (Ephesians 6:18)

    Prayer was never intended to be a last resort.
    Prayer is God's appointed means of spiritual strength.
    The church advances through God's power, not human strength.
    Every major movement of God in Scripture is connected with prayer.
    Application
    Are We
    A Praying Church?

    Acts 2:42 reveals four commitments:

    The Apostles' Doctrine.
    The Fellowship.
    The Breaking of Bread.
    The Prayers.
    The remaining verses reveal what happened because those commitments were present.
    Verses 43-47 are not additional commands.
    They are the results of a church devoted to God's pattern.

    Results of an Apostolic Church

    • Awe (Acts 2:43)

    The first result was reverence.
    The believers recognized that God was at work among them.
    They were not entertained by religious activity.
    They were overwhelmed by God's presence.
    Healthy churches should never lose their sense of awe.
    When we cease to be amazed by God, spiritual decline follows.

    • Unity (Acts 2:44)

    Their common faith produced common purpose.
    Unity did not mean everyone was identical.
    Unity meant they shared the same Lord, the same gospel, and the same mission.
    The church becomes powerful when God's people pull in the same direction.

    • Generosity (Acts 2:45)

    The gospel changed their relationship to possessions.
     People became more important than things.
     Needs were noticed.
     Sacrifices were made.
     The church became known for generosity rather than selfishness.

    • Joy (Acts 2:46)

    Their worship was marked by gladness.
    They enjoyed God.
    They enjoyed being together.
    Joy became a testimony to the transforming power of Christ.
    A joyful church attracts attention because joy cannot be manufactured.

    • Influence (Acts 2:47a)

    The church earned the respect of the surrounding community.
    Their testimony matched their profession.
    People saw authenticity.
    People saw love.
    People saw Christ reflected in His people.
    A healthy church influences its community before it ever reaches it.

    • Growth (Acts 2:47b)

    The growth was God's work.
    Notice Luke says the Lord added to the church.
    The church focused on faithfulness.
    God supplied the increase.
    Healthy things grow.

    When a church is devoted to doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayers, God is glorified and people are drawn to Christ.

      • Acts 2:42–47NKJV

      • 2 Timothy 3:16–17NKJV

      • Colossians 3:17NKJV

      • Titus 2:1NKJV

      • Jude 3NKJV

      • 1 John 1:3NKJV

      • Romans 12:4–5NKJV

      • Galatians 6:2NKJV

      • Philippians 1:5NKJV

      • Luke 22:19NKJV

      • 1 Corinthians 11:26NKJV

      • 1 Corinthians 10:16NKJV

      • 1 Corinthians 11:26NKJV

      • Philippians 4:6NKJV

      • Matthew 6:10NKJV

      • James 5:16NKJV

      • Ephesians 6:18NKJV

      • Acts 2:43NKJV

      • Acts 2:44NKJV

      • Acts 2:45NKJV

      • Acts 2:46NKJV

      • Acts 2:47aNKJV

      • Acts 2:47bNKJV

      • Psalm 122:6NKJV

Caldwell Christian Church
info@caldwellchristian.org
208-459-4674
http://www.caldwellchristian.org
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