The Persevering People Of God

Title – The PERSEVERING People of God

PP

Text Acts 2: 42 – 47

42And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.

46So 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, 47praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

We look at the beginning of Chapter 2 and note that they were all together on the day of the Pentecost. The day of Pentecost was also called , Feast of Weeks( Dt 16:10), and the Feast of the Harvest (Ex 23:16). This is the 50th day after the Sabbath of Passover week. (Lev23: 15-16).

Earlier in chapter two, there was a mighty wind from heaven and they were filled with the Holy Spirit. This anointing caused a stir among the people as the apostles spoke in other languages. This anointing gave boldness and authority to Peter and the others.

Peter and the eleven apostles fresh in the anointing of the Holy Spirit addressed the congregation, preaching and teaching them explaining the Gospel of Jesus Christ - His death, resurrection and exaltation. They continued to exhort them to repent and to be baptized. He warned them and pleaded with them to come out from the corrupted generation. And three thousand accepted the message and repented and were baptized.

After this event, there were a great transformation and change in the lives of the believers.

PP

We look at the text for today to study what developed after this wonderful experience.

I want explain two words from this passage before going on to the other points.

pp

1. Devoted(NIV)/Streadfastly(KJV)(Proskartereo)

From the original Greek text it means: to join, to adhere, to be ready, to give attention, be faithful, to spend much time together and another reference is to persevere.

I like ‘to persevere’ it means to endure in power and strength. It is something that is continuous, without ceasing.

2. Fellowship (Koinonia)

From the Greek word its original meanings are close association, sharing, gift, contribution, participation. The one that stands out is emphasizing what is common between them. We come from different backgrounds and culture our colours are also different, taste, upbringing, extended families associated with us But what do we have in common- Christ Jesus. We must work to become a new family in Christ.

Pp HOW TO PERSEVERE and BE SUCCESSFUL?

A. The Action

1. They devoted to the apostles’ teaching pp

The spoken words of the apostles were fundamental to the growth of the church and the believers’ spiritual growth.

2 Timothy 3:16

16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,(NKJV)

16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,(NIV)

The Word of God is there to equip us, to rebuke us, to teach us, to warn us, to correct us, to guide us, to plan for us, to show the way forward.

The doubled edged sword is the word of God to protect us.

We must accept every part of the bible. No subtraction and do not add.

Acts 5:21a, And when they heard that, they entered the temple early in the morning and taught.

Acts 5:42, And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

Illustration

The Word is so very important.

Without the word we will be defeated. The word of God is a Lamp unto my feet and path. Tongues will cease but the word of God will remain.

Psalms 119:105

Your word is a lamp to my feet

and a light for my path.

• There is only a THIN LINE BETWEEN TRUTH AND DARKNESS ( Practicing YOGA and rituals than do not conform to the word of God / selecting MOVIES to watch). Do not get entangled into the pattern of the world.

• Travel overseas – need a map because they have different laws /signs.

• Attending a Wedding – you may get lost looking for the place, so you need a map which will take there without delay and without any problems.

o How many have read the whole bible? Read even if you do not understand- Holy Spirit will give you understanding.

2. The devoted to the fellowship pp

- A partnership in worship and sharing.