Sermon Central
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A Christian Church
Contributed by Miles Anderson on Nov 25, 2001 (message contributor)
Summary: With so many things missing from the church and Christian lives it’s time to look again at the 8 Charesteristics that wrere present in the first Churh.
A CHRISTIAN CHURCH
Introduction: Isn’t I funny that everyone around can’t regonize the living God at work in the world today. God has given us truth and salvation through Jesus and this world refuses to acknowledge the living savior, Jesus. It doesn’t amaze me because Peter wrote about it in his second Epistle. Let me read it from the Living Bible Translation:
2:1But there were false prophets, too, in those days, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly tell their lies about God, turning against even their Master who bought them; but theirs will be a swift and terrible end. 2Many will follow their evil teaching that there is nothing wrong with sexual sin. And because of them Christ and his way will be scoffed at.
This world scoffs at Christ, but you know what, Peter was saying there were those among the church that would scoff at the sound teachings of Jesus and His apostles. There are Churches out there that will throw away everything that is true and good for a lie.
As we meet today I struggled with this message. Oh, I believe God has laid this message on my heart. I have been reading and in study in Acts and I was looking at the early Church. I was amazed at some of some of the things I saw in the early Church that were present. As I looked at that early Church, I saw 8 things present in the Church and I want us to look at those 8 things that are present in a Christian Church.
42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
I. They were a Biblical Church
42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
A. The Truth was what they followed
1. They were rooted in the doctrine that was true.
B. Many today are not rooted in the truth.
Harry S. Truman- Everybody has the right to express what he thinks. That, of course, lets the crackpots in. But if you cannot tell a crackpot when you see one, then you ought to be taken in.
1. They can’t beleive that there is a God who saves unconditionaly.
a. The only condition is you andyour choice
b. Being saved doesn’t mean that you understand everything, it means your saved
2. We need to know what we believe and why we believe it
Eph 4:14-15
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
a. Can you explain the doctrine you believe and why you beleive it.
*Let me tell you something, Satan can confuse you so much and muddle the word until you doubt everything you believe
Once the Devil was walking along with one of his cohorts. They saw a man ahead of them pick up something shiny. "What did he find?" asked the cohort.
"A piece of the truth," the Devil replied.
"Doesn’t it bother you that he found a piece of the truth?" asked the cohort.
"No," said the Devil, "I will see to it that he makes a religion out of it."
II. They were a Fearful Church
43 And fear came upon every soul
A. They didn’t fear man
1. Peter and John spoke boldly about Jesus.
a. Where has the boldness of the Church gone
2. If we can go before God we sure should be able to go before men.
28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
B. There is no fear of God any more.
William Gurnall--We fear men so much because we fear God so little.
Fear of God is a wholesome dread of displeasing God
1. There are consequences for Sin
a. Because you are a Christian doesn’t mean you have a liscense to sin
2. God will not stand idly by and allow us to do any thing and nothing.
