How To Have A Dynamite Church

Intro: In the passage of Scripture we read, We see in Acts 1:8 that Jesus told the Disciples that they would receive power when the Holy Ghost came upon them. In verse 4 Jesus commanded them to stay in Jerusalem and to “wait for the promise of the Father”. Then we read of the disciple going to the upper room and they abode there. We read that they were in prayer and supplication with one another, then they chose someone to take the place of Judas Iscariot. When we open Chapter 2 of acts we see that the power of God fell on that place, it changed the church would be forever. People saw the difference in the believers that were there that day. People will always notice when you have the power of God on your life.

What about the church today? Do we enjoy that same power that the early church in Acts had? Are we tapping into the same resource that they tapped into? Are we making an impact like they did back then? You see on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Ghost came upon the disciples the Bibles says that 3000 souls were saved. Lives were changed, the Word of God was preached with boldness, and Jesus Christ was uplifted.

But as we think about the church today, our church today, let us ask this question, “DO WE HAVE THE POWER OF GOD IN OUR CHURCH TODAY THAT RESULTS IN WINNING SOULS, CHANGING LIVES, AND MAKING AN IMPACT ON THIS COMMUNITY?”

We are talking about having a DYNAMITE church. When you think of dynamite, you think of Power. The power to move mountains so roads can be built. Power to change the landscape of Mt. Rushmore to attract people to see that marvel of craftsmanship.

The child of God with the Power of God On their life can do marvelous things, so to can a church that has the POWER of God resting on it? Do we want the power of God?

What caused the early church to have the power of God?

Prop: I WANT TO EXAMINE 6 CHARACTERISTICS THAT BROUGHT ABOUT THE POWER OF GOD ON THE EARLY CHURCH.

I. IT CAME ABOUT BECAUSE OF WHOLE-HEARTED

DEVOTION.

A. We will never have the Power of God with Half-heartedness.

B. God does not bless half-hearted service, or obedience.

C. Matthew 22:37 says - “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy

heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” This verse leaves no

room for HALF-HEARTEDNESS.

ILLUS: Limiting God In our Lives. (We tell God that he can only have

so much of our lives, or he can only go into certain areas of our

Hearts.) When we do this we limit God in our lives. When we

limit God in our lives, we Limit the Power of God on Our lives.

When we limit God In our church, We limit the power of God

on our church.)

D. Whole-hearted devotion will result in: 1. His Word having priority.

2. His Work having priority.

3. His Will having priority.

Application: The Disciples wanted to follow Jesus, they put their whole being into it.

II. IT CAME ABOUT BECAUSE OF THE UNITY OF THE

BELIEVERS. Acts 1:14, Acts 2:1

A. The Bible states that the disciples were ALL in one accord. Not

part of them, not 95% of them but they were ALL in one accord.

B. One of the things that will take away the power of God on the church

will be disunity. Satan tries hard, and oftentimes succeeds in

bringing disharmony in the church.

C. Some causes: Color of carpet, personal opinions, color of

hymnbooks, etc. Most of the time it is not doctrine. Rather

it is something silly.

D. Psalm 133:1 - “Behold, how good and hoe pleasant it is for the

brethren to dwell together in unity.”

This is what God desires for his church.

III. IT CAME ABOUT FOR THE PURPOSE OF

WITNESSING FOR CHRIST. Acts 1:8

A. This verse tells us the main reason for the Power of God,

To tell others of what Jesus Christ has done.

B. We are commanded to Go and tell the world about Jesus.

Mark 16:15 - Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to

Every Creature. It is the power of the Holy Ghost the enables us to

be a witness of Christ.

C. The Power that comes from the Holy Spirit gives us the same

boldness that Peter experienced in preaching on the day of

Pentecost. (This same power is still available to us today! Do

we take advantage?)

IV. IT CAME ABOUT BECAUSE OF THE PRIORITY OF

THE WORD OF GOD. Acts 1:16, Acts 2:15-36,42

A. The Word of God was very important to the early church. In vs. 42