The secret of the early church's success consisted in the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. From their early beginnings on the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was key for making God's presence available to them, filling them with God's power, and empowering them to preach the Word of God. Today the Holy Spirit desires to do the same work in our church.

The friendship of Aquila and Priscilla with Paul is an example of a genuine friendship. From the first time they met they struck up a friendship due to their common experiences and interests. However, what made them friends forever was the bond of God's love forged between them.

The primitive church in Acts can be described as a one heart community; they lived with the mentality that others came first. We can read two examples of this reality: a positive one, Barnabas, and a negative one, Ananias and Sapphira. Both of these examples challenge us to put others first.

The primitive church was a community of love. Reading about their beginnings in the second chapter of Acts we learn about their love and sincere appreciation they had for one another. Today as churches we need to imitate them by loving each other genuinely and demonstrating it with our actions.

The election of the 12th disciple in Acts chapter 1 reveals the primitive church's desire to elect her leaders well. Among the most important characteristics that this individual needed to have was being a true disciple of Jesus. Likewise, today churches need genuine disciples to function and fulfill their main task, the great commission.

One of the model characteristics of the primitive church was their living hope in the return of Jesus Christ. From the beginning of the church, the hope in the Second Coming of Christ helped the church to keep strong. Even in the most difficult times, it has been this hope that has maintained the church focused in its faith and mission.

A model church has many great qualities but one that stands out in the church of Acts is unity. This year we hope to accomplish many great things for God but to do this we need to be united in difficult times, in prayer and in purpose.

The beginning of the year is always a good time for new goals. This year as a church we have one resolution: to become a model church by imitating the church of Acts. This whole year we will be focusing our teaching series on the book of Acts. We invite you to listen and help us so together we can become a model church.

The narrative of the birth of Jesus in Matthew begins with the story of Joseph and Mary. This episode centers on the decision of Joseph to leave Mary when he found out she was pregnant. Joseph's decision provides us with a great example for improving our lives in 2015.

The conversation between Jesus and the Samaritan woman is a great example of how to win souls. Jesus demonstrates three practical principles for gathering a great harvest of souls.