Episode 77
The Beautiful Return to Church
October 10th, 2021
36 mins 19 secs
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About this Episode
THE BEAUTIFUL RETURN
Returning to where God desires us to be is beautiful. Step into that beautiful return.
Acts 2:42-47 NIV
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.
A ___________ People
Acts 2:22-24 NIV
“Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. 23 This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. 24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.
Acts 2:38, 39 NIV
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
Romans 1:16 NIV
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.
An ___________ people
The Source of their power
a. ___________
Acts 1:8 NIV
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
b. ___________
Acts 2:46, 47 NIV
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.
c. ___________
Acts 2:46 NIV
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,
A ___________ people
Acts 2:42 NIV
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching . . .
Ephesians 6:17 NIV
Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
1 Corinthians 2:14 :NIV
The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.
John 1:14 NIV
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
A ___________ people
Acts 2:42 NIV
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Acts 2:44 NIV
All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.
1 Corinthians 6:19, 20 NIV
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
Romans 12:4, 5 NIV
For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
Acts 20:35 NIV
“…remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
A ___________ people
Acts 2:47 NIV
. . . and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Matthew 28:16-20 NIV
Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
1 Peter 2:11, 12 NIV
Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
We are ___________!
The church is a people not a place.
DISCUSSION UESTIONS, THOUGHTS and THINGS TO PONDER
For your personal discipleship, discussion with family, your Life-Group, or a watch party
- Quick Review
a. Ask yourself: Was there a particular point or passage of Scripture that challenged, confused, or caught your attention?
- Which characteristic of the early church struck a chord with you?
a. A Gospel People
b. An Empowered People
c. A God’s Word People
d. A Giving People
e. A Mission People
When you think of the above characteristics, where do you think the church is doing well?
Where do you think the church needs improvement?
What makes a person a part of the church? Are you a part of God’s family, the Church?
a. For more information about receiving Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and becoming a part of His family, the Church, text: MadeNew to 474747
Thinking of the characteristics above, where do you contribute well to the church living the characteristics?
For the sake of the church, where do you think you need to improve?
What is your next step?
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