Series “Are We There Yet?” Sermon #5 “Willing”

Series “Are We There Yet?”  — Sermon #5 “Willing”

Habakkuk 2:14 “For the earth will be filled With the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, As the waters cover the sea.”

Ephesians 3:9-10  “…and to make all see …fellowship of the mystery, to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places,…”

John 14:6  “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’”

John 1:17 “For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” 

Acts is a history of the purpose of God advancing through the church.

Prescriptive:— enforcement of a rule or method

Descriptive:— describing or classifying in a nonjudgmental way

We are sharing with you the way. Not calling you to performance but to a drinking relationship.

Willing

Acts 2:41-47  “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking  of bread, and in prayers….Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone 

had need. … So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”

 vs. 43 NLT “A deep sense of awe came over them all,…”

The Body of Christ doing life together has a significant impact the community. Reverence, deep respect.

“continued steadfastly” (NKJV) “devoted” (NLT) GREEK “Proskartereo” :– to be devoted or constant to one, to give unremitting care to a thing, to persevere and not to faint, to show one’s self courageous for.

Picture:  Italian Americas CupTeam in Australia … Hit a kangaroo 

Picture: Geese flying in formation

The Way Of The Goose:

Partnership – 71% further

Formation – The “V”

Team – Share the Load

Encouragement – HONK

Restoration – None left behind

I. Devoted to Doctrine

Doctrine (Didache):– teaching, concerning something the act of teaching, instruction

Romans 16:17 “Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.”

Acts 20:24 “But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”

Galatians 1:6  “I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel,…”

2. Devoted to Fellowship

Koinonia :– community, communion, joint participation, intercourse, the share which one has in anything, participation, intimacy

3. Devoted to Communion 

Not a call to commiserate his suffering or our sin, but a call to commemorate His announcement of triumph. “It is finished!”

A call to recognize Christ in now another.

4. Devoted to Prayers 

Luke 11:1 “Lord, teach us to pray.” 

Prayer is a learned behaviour. You can be come more effective at it.

5. Devoted to Manifest 

“…many signs and wonders…”  

1 Corinthians 12:7 “But to each one is given the manifestation of the [Holy] Spirit” 

6. Devoted to Giving 

“…shared the proceeds with those in need.”

Voluntary – freely sharing and willingly giving to benefit others.

7. Devoted to Rejoicing 

“Gladness” (Agalliasis) :– exultation, extreme joy, gladness

Acts 13:52 “And the disciples were continually filled [throughout their souls] with joy and  the Holy Spirit.”

1 Timothy 3:15  (NLT)

“This is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and foundation of the truth.”