Restoring The Heart Of New Testament Christianity Series

Introduction:

A. I like the story told of the preacher and song leader who didn’t like each other very much and refused to cooperate with each other.

1. One week the preacher preached on commitment, and how they should get moving forward.

a. Following the sermon, the song leader led the song, “I Shall Not Be Moved.”

2. The next Sunday, the preacher preached on giving and how they should give generously and sacrificially to the work of the Lord. The song leader then led the song, “Jesus Paid It All.”

3. The next Sunday, the preacher preached against gossiping.

a. Following the sermon, the song leader led the song, “I Love To Tell The Story.”

4. The preacher became disgusted over the situation, and the next Sunday he told the congregation he was considering resigning. The song leader led the song, “Oh, Why Not Tonight.”

5. The following Sunday, the preacher announced his resignation, and emphasized that Jesus had led him to that decision.

a. After that announcement, the song leader led the song, “What A Friend We Have in Jesus.”

6. One of the things we are going to talk about today is that at the heart of Christianity and discipleship is a spirit of cooperation.

B. A number of years ago, I went shopping for a used car.

1. I looked at ads in the newspaper and also visited a number of used car lots.

2. Unfortunately, in my search for a car, I had many disappointing experiences.

a. Some of the cars sounded great in the paper, but were unimpressive in person.

b. Some of the cars looked great as I walked up to them, but then they ran terribly.

c. One car was exactly the make I was looking for, but it wouldn’t stay running.

1. The second I put it into drive, it stalled.

2. The salesman was surprised that I had no interest in buying the car even though he said I’m sure it is a simple problem that I can fix, but we don’t fix our cars until someone wants to buy them.

3. When I go looking for a car, it would be nice if it looked good, but more importantly, it had better run well.

C. In recent sermons from our series “Blueprint: God’s Plan for the Church,” I have been trying to articulate what it means to be Christians only, Christians who are striving to be the church that Jesus built through the apostles.

1. I believe that it is very important that the church takes on only the form of the church that God intended and instructed.

2. Therefore, we should be organized only as God has specified, we should worship only as God has specified, and our mission should only be the one that God has specified.

3. But just like the used car that looks good, but runs terribly, we can have all the right forms for the church, but be spiritually dead as a doornail and that is not what God wants!

D. Today, I want to help us understand that we must focus on more than just restoring the form of NT Christianity, we must also restore the heart of NT Christianity.

1. Neither of them can be over-looked, and neither can be magnified over the other.

2. It is vital for us to restore both aspects of Christianity.

3. Today, my aim is to help us understand and experience the heart of NT Christianity.

4. And at the heart of NT Christianity is what we might call discipleship.

5. A disciple is a learner and follower of Jesus.

6. A disciple is someone whose life is dedicated to doing and becoming all that God commands and envisions for a person who bears the name of Christ.

E. To help us clearly see the heart of NT Christianity and discipleship, I am going to share some of the biblical snapshots of the early Christians.

1. We will capture those snapshots by reading some of the accounts of the early church found in the book of Acts.

a. I want us to experience these snapshots like we were there when they were happening.

b. Let’s listen and let the Word of God speak to us - the Word of God is so powerful, instructive and convicting.

2. After reading these accounts, I will help us consider what attitudes of the heart brought about that kind of life, and how we can restore that kind of heart and life in us today.

I. The Actions of the Early Church – What did discipleship look like in the early church?

A. Acts 2:42-47

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.