G.K. Chesterton famously called America, “a nation with the soul of a church” because it was “founded upon a creed.”
K. Chesterton, What I Saw in America, published 1922

 

Acts 2:41-47
41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who 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.

 

Acts 2:1-14, 40; Romans 10:10

 

Romans 10:8 (MSG)
It’s the word of faith that welcomes God to go to work and set things right for us. This is the core of our preaching.

 

“A revival is not a miracle. A miracle has been generally defined to be a Divine intervention, setting aside, or suspending, the laws of nature.”
Charles Grandison Finney, Revival Lectures

 

Four Practices of Highly Effective Churches

  1. Devotion to GOD’S ABSOLUTE

 

Acts 2:42, They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching . . .

 

Matthew 7:24-27, 24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

2. Devotion to FAITHFUL

 

Acts 2:42
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship . . .

 

Acts 2:44-46
44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who 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

 

In church we’re to find:

  1. God’s lifegiving PRINCIPLES to life by.
  2. Godly PEOPLE to live life with.
  3. God-given PURPOSES to live life for.
  4. God’s PRESENCE to live life in.

 

2 Thessalonians 3:10; Genesis 2:15; Deuteronomy 8:18

 

  • Psalm 98 was written as an Enthronement Psalm helping people celebrate the benefits of God’s reign in our lives.

 

Psalm 98:9
let them sing before the Lord . . . He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples with equity.

 

3. Devotion to CHRIST CENTERED LIVING.

 

Acts 2:42
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

 

1 Corinthians 11:28-30
28 Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. 29 For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. 30 That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.

 

4. Devotion to SPIRIT EMPOWERED

 

Acts 2:42-4
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.

 

Acts 2:47
praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

 

 

Questions:

  1. What did you hear from the Holy Spirit?
  2. What will you do because of it?
  3. How can we pray for you?

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