The birth of the church… (4 things)

• 1^st – Convicted by the Spirit… vs. 37

• 1^st – Cut to the heart…
  • When the people heard the message of Peter – they were deeply convicted… vs. 37
  • CUT [κατανύσσομαι] – used to describe horses denting hard earth with their hoofs…
  • The hearts of the Jews were hardened by sin – like dry packed earth – lifeless…
  • Seeing their sinfulness – the people pleaded with Peter – ‘what should we do’…
  • Godless people who had come to party – were suddenly broken and open to Jesus!
  • Not because of Peter – but because of the Word of God – and the power of the Spirit!
  • Jeremiah 23:29 – “My word is like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces.”
  • The world is filled with empty churches – pastors vainly preaching to hardened hearts…
  • We have all experienced it – the blank stare we get when we talk about Jesus…
  • It seems people today are deaf when it comes to their need for Jesus…
  • As if the message of the Gospel had lost all power to reach sinners…
  • But the problem is not in the message – the problem is a lack of power!
• 2^nd – Welch Revival…
  • At the turn of the 19^th century England [Whales] had drifted far from God…
  • Until a small church in a little town began to pray for the Power of the Spirit…
  • God answered by pouring out His POWER in abundance – causing a revival…
  • People just walking by the church knelt down broken – convicted of their sin…
  • Bars closed – crime stopped – the police had to look for new work…
  • Even mines had to close because swearing stopped and the mules no longer understood the men!
  • In all over 150,000 people came to confess Jesus as Lord – filling the churches!
  • We cannot break the hardened hearts of sinful men – unwilling to admit their need for Jesus…
  • The seed of the Gospel cannot penetrate that hard soil with just the will of our words…
  • Our programs are like wadded paper shot at steel reinforced concrete walls…
  • But the POWER of the Spirit can shatter – bring the greatest sinners to their knees!
  • The DYNAMITE of the Spirit to tear down even the hardest walls – opening up hearts to Jesus!
    
• 2^nd – Responding to the Spirit … vs. 38-39
  • 1^st – Repent… vs. 38
    • Turn around…
      • The first step towards salvation – is repentance…
      • The word repent literally means to chance direction – turn around…
      • Peter was not afraid to tell the people – they were sinners – headed towards hell…
      • They needed to make a U-turn – if they wanted to make it to heaven!
      • People do not like it when we point out their sin – they quickly get offended…
      • They will do their best to avoid us – not because of what we have done…
      • But because of what we are saying – they are convicted because they are in sin…
      • That is why many people do not like going to church – reading their Bible…
      • They are convicted of their sin – so they stay away from the conviction…
      • We cannot make people turn back to Jesus – but we can warn them – Hebrews 3:13
      • We might think it is kinder not to confront someone who is sinning…
      • But the truth is leaving someone in their sin – is condemning them to hell!
    • Changed Life…
      • Repentance is not being sorry – it is a changed life…
      • When someone gets drunk – wakes up the next morning with a splitting headache…
      • Has cuts and bruises because they got into t fight they cannot even remember…
      • Of course they swear they will never do that again because they are miserable…
      • So why is it that after a month – week – day – it happens again!
      • If we do not turn from our sinful ways TO JESUS – we will not change…
      • True repentance is seen through a transformed life – no longer doing the same things!
      • Not that we are perfect – but we are different – desiring to live for Jesus!
      • II Corinthians 7:10 – “For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation – not to be regretted – but the sorrow of the world produces death.”
  • 2^nd – Be baptized… vs. 38
    • Baptism is not an option for a believer in Jesus – it is a command!
    • Baptism does not make us part of a denomination – it makes us a part of Jesus…
    • But baptism does not save us – thief on the cross – it is a picture – Romans 6:4
    • It carries the idea of being cleaned from the filth of our sin – washed by God…
    • We die to our old selves – are buried with Christ – are born again in new life!
  • 3^rd – Forgiveness… vs. 38
    • As a result of repentance and baptism – you will receive forgiveness!
    • I John 1:9 – “If we confess our sins – He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins…”
    • We find forgiveness when we are willing to confess and repent to Jesus…
    • No matter what we have done – what burden we carry – give it to Jesus!
  • 4^th – Holy Spirit… vs. 38-39
    • Peter told them the gift of the Spirit was for their children – and grandchildren…
    • And to those who are far off – for everyone who believes in Jesus!
    • There are those that argue the gifts of the Spirit were only for the first church…
    • Because the Bible was not complete – God gave the Spirit to empower the church…
    • But once the Bible was finished – no need for the gift – I Corinthians 13:9-10
      
    • The Holy Spirit is a vital part of the church – necessary in all our Christian walks…
    • Which makes you wonder why we do not hear more about the Spirit in churches…
    • Yet Peter makes it clear – the gift of the Spirit is for every generation!
    • All we have to do is ask and the gift of the Spirit is available to us today!

• 3^rd – The results of the Spirit … vs. 40-41
  • 1^st – Crooked Generation… vs. 40
    • The Beginning…
      • Peter continued to teach them for a long time…
      • It was not enough to give them the Gospel – Peter wanted them to grow in Jesus!
      • We would not leave a newborn infant to fend for themselves!
      • People think their job is done once someone believes in Jesus – it is just starting…
      • We are not called to just tell people about Jesus – make disciples – Matthew 28:20
    • Twisted…
      • Be saved from this crooked [σκολιός] generation…
      • Peter described the world as having scoliosis – a crooked and bent spine…
      • The very backbone of the world was twisted and ready to fall down!
      • There is no difference between the days of the book of Acts and today…
      • The world is still twisted – and if we are trusting in the world – we will go down with it…
      • Our only hope is Jesus – in the power of the Spirit to help us stand up straight again!
  • 2^nd – 3000 people… vs. 41
    • Law bring Death…
      • About 3000 people were baptized – the number is not by accident – it is a comparison!
      • Pentecost is celebrated as a memorial of the day the Law was given on Mt. Sinai…
      • The day Moses came down and saw Israel worshiping the Golden calf…
      • When Moses called out – whoever is on the Lords side – come to me. – Exodus 32:28
      • Most of Israel came to Moses [including the whole tribe of Levi]
      • Moses ordered them to go and put to death all who would not turn to the Lord…
      • The day the law was given – 3000 of the Children of Israel were put to death!
    • Spirit gives Life…
      • 1200 years later – on the same day – the Holy Spirit was given…
      • 3000 people were given life – and the church was born!
      • II Corinthians 3:6 – “We cannot do anything of lasting value by ourselves. Our only power and success come from God. This is a covenant, not of written laws, but of the Spirit. The old way ends in death; in the new way, the Holy Spirit gives life.”
      • The Law of God – with its rules and regulations – can never save a person…
      • The Law only has the power to prove we are a sinner – it can only bring death…
      • Because the Law had no power to change our desires – change our heart…
      • But the power of the New Testament – the power of the Spirit – is a changed heart…
      • I have to wonder what would happen – how many would be saved…
      • If the church would stop teaching religion and rules…
      • And instead went out in the power of the Spirit to give people the hope of Jesus!

• 4^th – The model church … vs. 42-47
  • 1^st – Four Pillars…
    • Teaching…
    • The Apostles doctrine – teaching about Jesus Christ!
    • Amos 8:11 – “Not a famine of bread or water but of hearing the words of the LORD.”
    • The biggest problem in the church today – there is a famine…
    • People do not grow or mature or grow in the Lord because no one teaches them!
    • 20 – 30 years into their Christian walk they are still babes in their faith!
    • Hebrews 5:12 – “You have been Christians a long time now, and you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic… You are like babies who drink only milk and cannot eat solid food.”
    • Because churches are more interested in entertaining the people – than teaching them!
    • If we only entertain the people – we will never give them what they REALLY NEED!
    • The Word of God is what corrects – teaches us so that we can grow – II Timothy 3:16

Then God [not men] added to the church daily those who were being saved!

Fellowship…

Fellowship – to be encouraged in our walk with Jesus!

Going to church does not save you – but it does keep you from getting off track…

It is easy to do the wrong things and convince yourself your right…

That is why God call us to fellowship together in church – Hebrews 10:25

We help keep each other in check – keep our compass pointed towards God!

Communion…

Breaking of Bread – to remember the sacrifice of Jesus – Luke 22:19

We take communion so we will never forget that we are not our own…

God paid our price – He purchased us on the cross – I Corinthian 6:20

Our response to the gift of salvation – is to give up our life – surrender completely to Jesus!

Prayer…

Prayer – spending time talking to Jesus…

God desires to hear from us – build a relationship with His kids!

Prayer should be a conversation with our Father in heaven…

How can we have a relationship with Jesus – if we never get a chance to talk to Him…

Taking the time to listening to the wisdom He has for our lives!

Simple…

People have a lot of funny ideas about what a church is!

There are those who think it is a building / with pews and a sound system…

There are those who think it is traditions – Sunday morning dressed up!

But the model church laid out in the book of Acts is simply ALL about Jesus…

A church should take the time to study the Word of God – learning about Jesus…

Make sure there is fellowship with believers – pointing one another to Jesus…

The church should regularly have communion – remembering the sacrifice of Jesus…

The church should set aside time to pray – talk with Jesus!

2^nd – The Results… vs. 43-47

Outreach…

The Apostles did signs and wonders – we will see they healed – raised the dead!

As a result of the power of God displayed – the world respected – feared the church…

The world has little respect for the church – cause the church is just like the world!

But when the church is focused on Jesus – full of the Spirit – the world is afraid…

Because they see in us the answer they have rejected – they are convicted by our lives!

In reach…

Everyone who believed shared with those in need!

We are called as believers to practically reach out in love – help out those in need…

If someone is hungry and we say – God bless – what good does that do – James 2:16

How can we say we represent Jesus – we love someone – and not be willing to help…

Through practically showing the Love of God – we strengthen each other in Christ!

Church growth…

They believers we DAILY in the temple – and from house to house…

Praising God and enjoying the good will of all the people in Jerusalem!

It did not matter where they met – a building [church] or a house [home study]

They just loved to learn – talk about – remember – and talk to Jesus!

The apostles did not start an add campaign – pass out four color flyers…

They did not start a feeding program – or have a special worship concerts…

They simply focused on Jesus – and were filled with the power of the Spirit…