When we pray, do we ever take time to listen?

As a community we are to show forth the glory of God in the gospel, but what does that look like?  How do we pursue that as a community?  In Acts 2:42-47, we see five essential things that the early church community gave themselves to in order to pursue being a gospel-centered community. This week we look at their devotion to prayer and see the role prayer should play among us as a community that depends upon God for all things.

As a community we are to show forth the glory of God in the gospel, but what does that look like?  How do we pursue that as a community?  In Acts 2:42-47, we see five essential things that the early church community gave themselves to in order to pursue being a gospel-centered community. This week we look at their devotion to the fellowship/breaking of bread and discover how we are to pursue authentic relationships in the midst of this messy thing we call the church.

As a community we are to show forth the glory of God in the gospel, but what does that look like?  How do we pursue that as a community?  In Acts 2:42-47, we see five essential things that the early church community gave themselves to in order to pursue being a gospel-centered community.  First, they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching.  What did that look like for them, and what does it look like for us today?

Evangelism makes the most sense in the context of community, because we were created for community.  We were made to be in perfect relationship with God, ourselves, each other and the world.  In the fall this was broken, but as redeemed citizens of the Kingdom of God we are offering the world and image of the echo of God that still rings in their souls.

We are intensely relational beings!  We do nearly everything in community...work, live, entertain, and worship!  Why?  Why the need for community?  What's the purpose?  Do we just need to fulfill our need to belong...or is it something deeper?

Spiritual gifts are for the purpose of building up the body, but all too often they tear it apart.  There are a few gifts that are more controversial than others, namely, speaking in tongues and prophecy.  Can these gifts be used in a way to strengthen one another's faith in Jesus?  Can we use these gifts to serve one another in love?

Spiritual gifts are for the purpose of building up the body, but all too often they tear it apart.  There are a few gifts that are more controversial than others, namely, speaking in tongues and prophecy.  Can these gifts be used in a way to strengthen one another's faith in Jesus?  Can we use these gifts to serve one another in love?

A spiritual gift is a unique way the Holy Spirit displays his power through you for the building up of faith in other believers...but what does that look like?  Do we have any examples of the way in which the Holy Spirit empowers us?

The Holy Spirit displays his power uniquely in the life of every Christian in order to build up the church body.  These empowerments are known as spiritual gifts.  The Holy Spirit gives gifts to the church, through individual believers for the strengthening of faith in Jesus.  So how has the Holy Spirit gifted you?  Have you discovered your spiritual gift?