A. AFTER THE 50TH TRBC ANNIVERSARY AND SANCTUARY DEDICATION
We should work as hard after a big day as we did to get to the big day. Pentecost is our example of what a church should do after a (Big) day.
1. Dangers we face.
• Thinking our momentum will guarantee success.
• Thinking our past methods will work in the future.
• Thinking God’s past blessings will continue.
• Thinking new facilities will bring blessing.
2. Examples of some who failed after a Big day.
• Elijah after Mt. Carmel – discouragement.
• Noah after the flood – drunkenness.
• David after victories – adultery.
• Israel after defeated Egypt – unbelief.
3. Sometimes new jobs or new buildings mean you don’t work less, but work harder.
B. WHAT THE CHURCH DID AFTER PENTECOST
“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42).
1. Studied scripture and doctrine. “They continued steadfastly in the apostle’s doctrine (teaching)” (2:42).
a. They included old and new, i.e., 3120 people.
b. Continued means daily, i.e., continuous action.
c. The Bible is the basis for all we are and do.
2. All were nurtured in their faith as they fellowshipped with other believers.
a. Those you spend your time with reflect your heart.
b. This means they attended services, prayer meeting, and served together.
3. Each sat in equality at the communion service.
a. “Breaking bread” stands for the Lord’s Table.
b. At the beginning it was a daily thing. “Daily . . . breaking bread from house to house” (2:46).
4. To pray with others.
a. Prayers, why plural? (1) Different place, (2) different groups of people, (3) different kinds of prayer, (4) different petitions.
b. They “continued steadfastly . . . in prayers.” Prayer caused the Big day. “These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication” (1:14). They prayed after the Big day.
5. They were involved in group worship and small groups.
“So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2: 46-47).
a. Large worship gathered in the temple.
b. Small gatherings, house to house.
c. Unity daily with one accord.
6. Service and outreach to the community.
a. “Having favor with all the people,” suggested they ministered to those outside the church.
7. A temporary common sharing of everything. “Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need” (2:44-45).
a. Why this was necessary. (1) Some new convents were disinherited by family, (2) some new converts were repudiated by the anti-Jesus community, (3) some had come a long way and ran out of money (2:9-11).
b. Why was it temporary? (1) Jesus taught individual ownership (Matt. 25:14-30), (2) it produced problems in Ananias and Sapphira, plus the widows (Acts 6:1-7), (3) it caused laziness II Thess. 3:7-10), (4) people didn’t have savings when hard times came (Acts 11:27-30).
c. This was not Christian communism. “What’s yours is mine” but beneficent sharing with the needy.
8. After the Big day, there was much fruit.
a. Remember the great growth at TRBC after moving into the new sanctuary in 1971.
b. “The Lord added to the church daily” (2:47). This was God’s doing, not man’s results. God will do wonderful things for TRBC when we follow the example of the early church.
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God. Please contact me at eltowns@liberty.edu and tell us about your salvation experience so that we can rejoice with you.
