01/05/11 - Back to the Basics PT1 - Pastor Tony Ashmore

Pastor Tony Ashmore begins a new series entitled "Back to the Basics" with part 1 in this Wednesday evening service.

Back to the Basics PT1

Pastor Tony Ashmore
Wednesday, January 5, 2011

www.mylifegatechurch.com


Sermon Notes:

Acts 2:41-47 (NLT) 41 Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all. 42 All the believers devoted themselves to the *1 apostles’ teaching, and to *2 fellowship, and to *3 sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to *4 prayer. 43  *1 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the *2 apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders.
44 And all the believers *3 met together in one place and *4 shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They *5 worshiped together at the Temple each day, *6 met in homes for the Lord’s Supper (HCSB: 46 And every day they devoted themselves [to meeting] together in the temple complex, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart), and *7 shared their meals with great joy and generosity—47 all the while *8 praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the *9 Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

(Message) 46-47They followed a daily discipline of worship in the Temple followed by meals at home, every meal a celebration, exuberant and joyful, as they praised God. People in general liked what they saw. Every day their number grew as God added those who were saved.


Result of the Holy Spirit active in the life of a believer: (Jesus told them to gather together to receive the Holy Spirit.  This passage is report of what happened following Pentecost.)

*   Community became important—they believed, they were baptized and immediately joined the church

1.   They developed a hunger for the Word
2.   Actively sought connection with other believers (fellowship denotes a like-mindedness.  2 fellows in a ship.  Romans 14:5-6 NKJV Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, 6 that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.)
3.   Did life together in small groups  (Acts 20:20)
4.   Practiced a fervent prayer life (Ephesians 6:18 “Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.”)

*   Consequences of those choices:

1.   A deep sense of awe, respect and fear of the Lord—which means they began to walk in more wisdom and good judgment. (Proverbs 9:10)
2.   Empowered the leaders to walk in more power and authority
3.   Generosity replaced stinginess and selfishness
4.   A desire to participate in large gatherings (local church)
5.   Moved from owners to stewards, making it easy to share
6.   Insatiable hunger for church and for doing life with other believers
7.   Uncomplicated, joyful lifestyle of worship
8.   Continually increasing Kingdom influence
9.   A harvest of souls