A Model Church

“The church is equal parts mystery and mess.” Eugene Peterson

“There are two things we cannot do alone; one is to be married and the other is be a Christian.” Paul Tournier 

The First Church Was...

1. A Devoted Church (42)

• Teaching (and learning)
• Fellowship – deep and meaningful relationships with fellow believers.
• Breaking of Bread – may refer both to the Lord’s Supper and sharing meals with one another (46).
• Prayer – Prayer was a priority for their lives individually and corporately.

Applications:

• Devote ourselves to hearing, reading, studying, memorizing, meditating, and applying God’s Word.
• Cultivate deep and meaningful relationships with fellow believers.
• Regularly partake in the Lord’s Supper and share meals and other experiences with fellow believers.
• Make prayer individually and with others a priority in our lives.

2. An Awe-Inspiring Church (43)

• “awe or fear” – a deep sense of reverence for God.
• “wonders and signs” – confirming the message and ministry of the apostles.
• “The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works.” (2 Corinthians 12:12, ESV)
• “The greatest of all miracles God performs today is the transformation of rebellious sinners into His beloved children, who are becoming like His Son.” John McArthur
• God stills works powerfully through His people who are filled with His Spirit and seeking His Kingdom and glory!

Applications:

• Am I living with a deep sense of reverential awe of who God is and what only He can do?
• Am I crying out regularly in faith for God to move powerfully in and through my life and our church to further His Kingdom’s purposes for His glory and the benefit of others?

3. A Loving Church (44-45) John 13:34–35

• Spiritual Unity is not uniformity!
• God delights in bringing a rich supernatural unity in the midst of great diversity which He treasures and loves.
• Sacrificial Generosity
• This was not compulsory but Voluntary 1 Timothy 6:17–19

Applications:

• Is my life marked by a unity with other believers that transcends any differences between us?
• How will I increase my level of generosity through God’s church and to the needs of others in response to God’s generosity to me?

4. A Worshipping Church (46-47)

• “Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.” (Psalm 145:3, ESV)
• Corporate
• Joyful

Applications:

• Prioritize the gathering together with others to worship God for who He is and all that He has done.
• Engage wholeheartedly in worshipping God in Spirit and in truth individually and with others.

5. A Witnessing Church(47)

• A healthy church and a healthy Christian will have a growing love and burden for those who do not yet know and follow Christ!
• The Lord did not add anyone to the church that He did not Save
• The Lord did not save anyone He did not add to the Church

Applications:

• Pray for and seek opportunities to share the love and truth of Christ with those that may be close to you but far from God.
• Pray for and welcome new believers into the community of faith – the family of God.
• “This is a big old ship, Bill. She creaks, she rocks, she rolls, and at times she makes you want to throw up. But she gets where she’s going.
• Always has, always will, until the end of time. With or without you.” J.F. Powers in “Wheat That Springeth Green”
• “and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18, ESV)

Making It Personal:

• Are you genuinely a member of the family of God? Have you personally turned from your sin, trusted in Christ’s provision through the cross and surrendered your life to His rule and reign?
• Review the application points above. What adjustments is God calling you to make?
• Who can you share these truths with?

Ready to take your Next Step?

• Text Next to 803-637-8484
• Go to FBCFM.COM and click “Next Steps.”