Acts 2:44-45

What exactly does Scripture mean when it informs us that this church “had all things common”? The word “common”(koinos) means “to be shared by all; belonging to generality”. If this church’s community(koinōnia-fellowship) consisted of revelation(that is, communicating with an open heart), it was followed by SPIRIT-FILLED response. (Communicating with open hands) This was not a religious form of communism-the church leadership was not forcing the congregation to meet these needs, it was community-they were seeing the need and meeting it voluntarily.

Acts 2:41-43

In this series, we move forward together into the next facet of our purpose statement: Community Groups. This step really takes us beyond the dangerous possibility of hiding behind the crowd, the structure, and the formalities of our Sunday gatherings into an intentional time where we engage and interact on a common and transparent level. Sadly, many believers never get to know each other beyond their brief interaction with one another for a hour or two on Sundays. As we will see in Scripture, this was clearly not God’s intention.

1 Thessalonians 4:7-17

While we always want our worship gatherings to be encouraging, we must remember that our ultimate goal for coming together is to get a clear view of Jesus Christ. For, when we see Him in His Word, it will reveal the glory of His nature and it will also reveal some changes that need to be made within each of our lives.

1 Thessalonians 4:1-6

Sadly, many church gatherings have become public platforms for individuals to parade their self-righteousness when, in all reality, church was intended to be a place of acceptance and transparency where imperfect people could come together, acknowledging our imperfections, faults, and failures, focusing on the perfection of Christ, and growing in(perfecting)their relationship with God.

Hebrews 13:1-16

It is from the foundation of the Gospel—The good news—That God loves us and has provided a way of Salvation it is from this reality that we now offer our sacrifices of praise to His name! It is important to understand that, in Old Testament times, only the priests were allowed to enter into the tabernacle and offer sacrifices to God on the behalf of the people. But now, because of our faith in Jesus, believers have been made priests… that is, we have unique ACCESS into the presence of God because of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:5;9)

Quote: “In praising a creature, we may easily exceed the truth; but in praising God we have only to go on confessing what He really is to us. Hence it is impossible to exceed the truth, and here is genuine praise.” (JFB)

One of the primary responsibilities of the man who is chosen to be the pastor(bishop—overseer) of the church is to faithfully stand and preach the truth of the Word of God. THE MAIN REASON why we gather on Sundays is for the preaching(kēryssō—proclamation) of the Word. Expositional preaching that strictly follows the original context of Scripture will help ground the church in sound doctrine and keep us from drifting away into false teaching. Martin Lloyd Jones said "Preaching the Word is the primary task of the Church, the primary task of the leaders of the Church; and we must not allow anything to deflect us from this.”

1 Timothy 6:1-19

GENUINE SURRENDER DOESN’T SET LIMITATIONS!

Jesus said in Matthew 22:36, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.”. Stewardship is all about understanding that the resources I have today(which includes my money) are given to me by God and He has a specific purpose and reason for giving me these various resources. Here’s an important question: Am I living within the parameters of His plan and purpose?

Acts 8:26-40

True, lasting Joy is only accessible as we learn to daily surrender our desires and submit to the Lordship of Christ through the leadership of the Holy Spirit, for the sole purpose of the glory of God. While Scripture is clear that baptism is not a part of the process of salvation, it is the first step of obedience for the believer, the first response of the one who has experienced the new life that comes through faith in Christ alone.

Acts 8:13-25

True, lasting Joy is only accessible as we learn to daily surrender our desires and submit to the Lordship of Christ through the leadership of the Holy Spirit, for the sole purpose of the glory of God. While Scripture is clear that baptism is not a part of the process of salvation, it is the first step of obedience for the believer, the first response of the one who has experienced the new life that comes through faith in Christ alone.

Acts 8:1-12

True, lasting Joy is only accessible as we learn to daily surrender our desires and submit to the Lordship of Christ through the leadership of the Holy Spirit, for the sole purpose of the glory of God. While Scripture is clear that baptism is not a part of the process of salvation, it is the first step of obedience for the believer, the first response of the one who has experienced the new life that comes through faith in Christ alone.