Start Right Here: A New Community – Acts 2:42-47

Start Right Here: A New Community – Acts 2:42-47
Sunday, September 19, 2021

Pastor Mike Bailey

Introduction

It doesn’t take long to realize… Turn on the TV, scroll social media, spend time in the community around you, and you’ll see it: problems that seemingly have no solution. Love becomes an emotion—one easily replaced with other temptations; hatred runs rampant; families divide; children live without parents; marriages disintegrate without a fight. Our world seems to defend sin more than God’s truth—yet we cannot live anywhere else. In fact, we are called to live in our communities and engage with the people around us. So what do we do with the brokenness surrounding us? The book of Acts teaches us that God’s organized answer for this problem is the Church. And if we want to find new hope in our family and community, it has to start right here, with the Church.

August 22 – Start Right Here – By Partnering

August 29 – Start Right Here – By Working

September 5 – Start Right Here – By Sharing

September 12 – Start Right Here – By Stepping Up

September 19 – Start Right Here – A New Community

IMPACT Church 101 E. First Ave. Parkesburg, PA 19365
(610) 857-3887 [email protected]

1. There was a new of people. (2:42)

a.  to one another.

And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. Hebrews 10:25

b. Eager to .

He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. Ephesians 4:16

c. Ready to .

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. Hebrews 10:24

d. Constant in .

Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. James 5:16

2. There was a new in their hearts. (2:43)

“A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.” Luke 6:45

a. An attitude.

Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15

b. A attitude.

You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror.  James 2:19

c. An attitude.

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength. Proverbs 17:22

3. There were newfound . (2:44-46)

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2

And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. Deuteronomy 6:5

a. They became focused.

“Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. “ Luke 12:34

Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.  Colossians 3:2

b. That resulted with benefits.

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

2 Corinthians 5:17

I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Ephesians 3:16

4. There was a new formed. (2:47a)

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. Hebrews 10:24

a. A community of .

“But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. 24 For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.” John 4:23-24

b. A community of .

This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. 26 If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. 27 All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it. 1 Corinthians 12:25-27

5. There were new added to the community. (2:47b)

a. People getting .

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. Ephesians 2:8-9

b. People finding .

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

Closing: Will you be a part of this community? Will you add your gifts to His work?