What do we lose if there is no resurrection?
1. We have no faith (12-14)
2. We have no fidelity (15,16)
3. We have no future (17-19)

What does healthy church life look like? (Romans 12:3-8)
* How unity begins (v. 3)
* Why unity matters (vv. 4-5)
* What unity looks like (vv. 6-8)

Q. What does the Bible say about healthy, biblical church leadership?
* Who should lead? (1,2a)
* Where should they lead? (2)
* How should they lead? (2-3)
* Why should they lead? (4)

What Threatens True Biblical Fellowship? (Acts 5:1-11)
A. The Camouflage (1,2)
B. The Catch (3-9)
C. The Consequence (5,11)

How do we maintain a healthy church with respect to the apostles’ teaching (Acts 2:42)?

Sound doctrine and sound living
* Cultivate virtue in the church (vv. 11-12)
* Provide evidence to the world (vv. 13-15)
* Preserve life for those who hear (v. 16)

Text: Acts 2:42, 4:23-31

What are the marks of a healthy church? What makes a church - a church?

1. Gathering Prayer Reveres God (24,25)
• God’s sovereignty
• How you and I "see" God influences how we pray

2. Gathering Prayer Resets Perspective (24-26)
• Scripture in prayer
• Declaring what we know to be true by faith

3. Gathering Prayer Rests on Jesus (27-30)
• God’s Holy Servant (27, 30)
• Results: Community, Unity, Transformation

What are the marks of a healthy Church? What makes a church – A church?

"The devoted themselves to . . . the breaking of bread" (Acts 2:42)

A. In communion, the gathered church reaches for glory (1-7)
• Imagery of bride and bridegroom!
• The Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matt. 25:1-13)
• Rejoicing! (1-7)
• Three elements of a wedding…the feast!
• The church: betrothed, presented, ceremony!

B. In communion, the gathered church rehearses the gospel (7,9)
• “She has made herself ready…blessed are those who are invited to marriage feast” (7,9)
• Union with Christ – His beloved church
• Repentance and renewal rhythm
• Refreshed and ready, we commune with Christ and with one another

What are the marks of a healthy church? What makes a church a Church?

1. The Motivation for a Healthy Church (Acts 2:42; John 15)
2. The Muscle of a Healthy Church, “they devoted themselves to…fellowship…”

What are the marks of a healthy church? What makes a church – a church?

A. The Description of a Healthy Church (Acts 2)
B. The Distinctives of a Healthy Church (Acts 2:42)
C. The Disposition of a Healthy Church (Acts 2:37,41,43)