SOME THINGS THAT YOU WILL FIND IN A HEALTHY CHURCH
Text: Acts 2:36-47 Pastor W. Max Alderman
INTRODUCTION: We can learn much about the church by studying the Book of Acts. The church is very young in the Book of Acts. It had not lived long enough in the Book of Acts to be institutional or even formal; all of that was yet to come. There was much that was going to pass away in a few short years that pertained to the church. This is one reason that the Lord gave us the writings of Paul. Paul wrote both to explain and to clarify the role of the church. Much that appeared in the Book of Acts was given for a limited time for the benefit of the unbelieving Jews. The sign miracles for example were given to authenticate the Gospel to the unbelieving Jews. Yet, we still learn much by studying this transitional Book. We want to observe and talk about some things that you will find in a healthy church.
I. YOU WILL FIND PEOPLE IN THE CHURCH. (V. 41).
A. The People Received the Truth. (V. 41).
“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized:”
B. The People Reverenced the Truth. (V. 43).
“And fear came upon every soul:”
C. The People Responded to the Truth. (V. 45).
“And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.”
D. The People Rejoiced in the Truth. (V. 46).
“…did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,”
II. YOU WILL FIND PREACHING IN THE CHURCH. (V. 14)
A. The Preacher Stood...
"standing up"
B. The Preacher Shouted...
"lifted up his voice"
C. The Preacher Stirred the people...
"be this known unto you, and hearken to my words"
III. YOU WILL FIND PRAYING IN THE CHURCH. (Vv. 42-46).
A. Prayer Marked Their Faith. (V. 42).
“And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine…”
B. Prayer Made Their Fellowship. (V. 42b).
“And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship”
C. Prayer Molded Their friendship. (Vv. 44-46).
“had all things common”, “continued daily with one accord”, “with gladness and singleness of heart”
IV. YOU WILL FIND POWER IN THE CHURCH. (V. 43).
“And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.”
A. Power should complement our Preaching.
B. Power should characterize Our Praying.
C. Power Should Charge Our Praising.
Conclusion: These are just some of the things that you will find in the healthy church. I certainly desire that our church be a healthy church… Consider these thoughts.
1. “What kind of church would this church be if all of the members were just like me?”
2. What can I personally do to make this church more like the church that Jesus built…?
3. How can I be more faithful while destroying the idea that God’s churches are composed of only the faithful few… What about, instead, “The faithful many!”
4. “Little is much, when God is in it” Why not, “Much is more when God is in it?”
