I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH BUILDING PRINCIPLES PART 2

REVIEW

P1 DO AND TEACH P2 WITNESS, WAIT AND PRAY P3 RISE ABOVE THE CHALLENGES

P4 Powerful Unity

Acts 1:14New American Standard Bible (NASB)

14 These all with one mind (A)were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with (B)the women, and Mary the (C)mother of Jesus, and with His (D)brothers.

Acts 2:1New King James Version (NKJV)

 1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord[a] in one place.

One mind, One accord, One passion

ONE MIND (HOMOTHUMADON) – This unique Greek word, used six times to refer to the church in the Book of Acts, (12 times in NT, 10 times in Acts) helps us understand the uniqueness of the Christian community. It is a compound of two words meaning to “rush along” and “in unison”. The image is a musical one – a number of notes are sounded which, while different, harmonize in pitch and tone. Like the instruments of a great concert under the direction of a concertmaster, so the Holy Spirit blends together the lives of members of Christ’s church to accomplish His purpose. (BLB)

Practical's of being ONE

If we are to blend together, then we must take time to be with one another.

The NT has 58 one another scriptures which we must practice with each other.

The following scriptures are examples which we can only obey if we are in the fellowship with disciples of Jesus!

Serve one another Galatians 5:13 Accept one another Romans 15:7 Forgive one another Colossians 3:13 Greet one another Romans 16:16 Bear one another's burdens Galatians 6:2 Be devoted to one another Romans 12:10 Honor one another Romans 12:10 Teach one another Romans 15:14 Submit to one another Ephesians

5:21 Encourage one another 1 Thess 5:11

The power of one another!

If as a church, we…Serve one another

The power of UNITY is one of the most powerful forces on earth, whether for good or evil. The Tower of Babel proved this until God confused their languages to defeat their evil unity. (BLBC)

Genesis 11:6 (NIV) The LORD said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.

Jesus prayed that the world might see a united Church! He knew that the world would believe in HIM when they could believe in US! Disunity kills our credibility, because the world already sees lots of divisions! (John 17:21)

We cannot pray “your Kingdom come,” unless we pray “My kingdom go”!

Our group must be the greatest proponents of unity in our Church! We should never allow any kind of situation which can divide us from ever growing.

No one has ever left the church because of God! But God’s reputation can be ruined because of us!

Romans 2:24 (NIV) As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”[a]

“I would have become a Christian, were it not for observing Christians.” - Ghandi

Unity is not…

Uniformity 1 Peter 2:5 (NIV) you also, like living

stones, are being built into a spiritual house[a] to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Stones are different and unique compared to hollow blocks or bricks.

Stones come in different sizes, yet they fit in exactly according to God’s plan.

Compromise Ephesians 4:3-5 (NIV)3 Make every effort to

keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism;

Tolerance versus intolerance United Nations Declaration of Principles On

Tolerance – “Tolerance … involves the rejection of dogmatism and absolutism.” (Isn’t it ironic that the proponents of the new tolerance are so dogmatic about dogmatism and so absolute in their opposition to absolutism?) (BLBC)

Today, the World views absolute truth as intolerance!

DJ states that for many people, feeling God has become more acceptable than following God.

Compromise stagnates convictions !

P5. Preach Salvation

Acts 2:38(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.

The most important question to be asked by anyone is this: “Brothers, what shall we do?”

And the most important answer is the response to this question!

Be an Ambassador for Christ

When we check with many churches today, is the answer the same as the Apostles? Or is it different?

Is the message of salvation fully taught or based on human understanding only?

If the answer is no, then brothers, we have a mission to preach the same message and to give the same answer as the Apostles did!

We should do our best to lead someone to repentance, baptism and an understanding of the HS before getting born. Otherwise the young may not be ready and be stillborn!

We must always preach the truth in love, but we must always preach the truth, period! We do not love a person when we refuse to tell them about God’s plan of salvation for fear of offending them.

Anyone can come to our Church, but attendance never made anyone a Christian!

We must build God’s Church, God’s way!

P6. Prompt a Vision Acts 2:42-47(NIV) 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 2:42-47 (AMP)42And they steadfastly persevered, devoting themselves constantly to the instruction and fellowship of the apostles, to the breaking of bread [including the Lord's Supper] and prayers.    43And a sense of awe (reverential fear) came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were performed through the apostles (the special messengers).    44And all who believed (who adhered to and trusted in and relied on Jesus Christ) were united and [together] they had everything in common;    45And they sold their possessions (both their landed property and their movable goods) and distributed the price among all, according as any had need.    46And day after day they regularly assembled in the temple with united purpose, and in their homes they broke bread [including the Lord's Supper]. They partook of their food with gladness and simplicity and generous hearts,    47Constantly praising God and being in favor and goodwill with all the people; and the Lord kept adding [to their number] daily those who were being saved [from spiritual death].

This is the very vision of how we wish our ministries and churches to be.

As an ideal, let us compare our churches to the first century church and work to make it happen.

With these principles, we will be able to continue to build God’s Church HIS way!

Review

P1 DO AND TEACH P2 WITNESS, WAIT AND PRAY P3 RISE ABOVE THE CHALLENGES P4 POWERFUL UNITY P5 PREACH SALVATION P6 PROMPT VISION