Introduction

Good morning, brothers and sisters in Christ. It is always a joy to gather together, bound by our shared love for the Lord, and today, we find ourselves on familiar ground. We are returning to the book of Acts, to a passage that vividly paints the picture of an early church that was vibrant, dynamic, and flourishing. It's a picture of what church can be, and indeed, what it should be.

In Acts 2:42-47, we read: "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 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, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."

In these few verses, we see a threefold pattern that defined the early church and must define us today. We will be focusing on Pursuing Passionate Prayer, Persevering in Purposeful Worship, and Promoting Persistent Fellowship.

Charles Spurgeon, the great 19th-century preacher, once said, "Prayer is the slender nerve that moves the muscle of omnipotence." This quote speaks to the power of prayer, which is a theme we will be examining today. We will also be considering the importance of purposeful worship and persistent fellowship, both of which are integral to the life of a vibrant church community.

As we delve into these themes, let us remember that we are not merely observers of the early church but participants in the ongoing story of God's people. The same Spirit that moved in the hearts of those early believers is moving in our hearts today. The same God who worked wonders through the apostles is working in and through us.

Let us pray. Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for the privilege of gathering together as your people. As we study your Word today, we ask that your Holy Spirit would guide us and illuminate our understanding. We desire to be a church that is marked by passionate prayer, purposeful worship, and persistent fellowship. Help us to learn from the example of the early church and to apply these truths to our lives today. We ask all these things in the precious name of Jesus. Amen.

Pursuing Passionate Prayer

The early church, as described in the book of Acts, was a community marked by a deep and fervent commitment to prayer. This wasn't a casual or occasional practice, but a constant, passionate pursuit. They understood the power of prayer, the importance of communicating with God, and the role it played in their spiritual growth and the growth of their community.

The Scripture tells us that they "devoted themselves to prayer." This was active dependence upon the Lord. They didn't just pray when it was convenient or when they felt like it. They made prayer a priority. They understood that prayer was not just about asking God for things, but about building a relationship with Him. They knew that through prayer, they could express their love for God, confess their sins, seek His guidance, and intercede for others.

The early believers also understood that prayer was a communal activity. They didn't just pray individually, but together as a church. They knew that there was power in collective prayer, in coming together as a community to seek God's will and to lift up their needs and the needs of others. Prayer was not just about their personal relationship with God, but about their communal relationship with Him as well.

They also recognized the importance of persistent prayer. They didn't just pray once and then give up if they didn't see immediate results. They kept praying, kept seeking, kept knocking. Sometimes answers to prayer don't come immediately. Sometimes, they come after a period of waiting, of persisting in prayer.

The early believers also understood the transformative power of prayer. They knew that prayer wasn't just about changing their circumstances, but about changing them. Through prayer, they grew in their faith, in their love for God, and in their love for each other. They were transformed from the inside out, becoming more like Christ in their thoughts, words, and actions.

Transition. As we strive to be a church marked by passionate prayer, let's remember the example of the early church. Let's remember their devotion, their persistence, their communal spirit, and their transformative experience. And let's strive to emulate them in our own pursuit of passionate prayer.

Persevering in Purposeful Worship

As we continue to immerse ourselves in the life of the early church, we find that prayer is not their only defining characteristic ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO