... on “I Love my Church” and I hope you see how important it is to be in community with the family of God. Today, in my sermon, I broke down the word community, and for simplicity, I am going to give you the Pastor Rick definition of the Community of God. Community of God – A group of born again believers worshiping together, loving each other, encouraging each other, and sharing their possessions and responsibilities in complex unity for the glory of God. Here’s the point, we are stronger together than we are apart. As we learn to love each other, as we realize none of us are perfect, and as we work toward common goals that are Biblical and godly, Jesus will be pleased with us.
Today we are looking at the Day of Pentecost and how God poured out Holy Spirit power to people (120) who were all in one mind and one spirit. God had given this promise about the outpouring of the Spirit: Acts 1:8 (NKJV) “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." Because 120 people didn’t get discouraged after close to 400 other believers decided not to wait to be endued with power, the Holy Spirit came upon them in unity and power. The 120 quickly grew to over 3100. That can happen here!
No surprise, a day of persecution came. The apostles were arrested and commanded not to preach in Jesus Name again. They quickly went to the community of God and gave a report. Acts 4:23-24 (NLT2)
“As soon as they were freed, Peter and John returned to the other believers and told them what the leading priests and elders had said. When they heard the report, all the believers lifted their voices together in prayer to God.” The result of the prayer meeting…the place was shaken, they were all filled with Holy Spirit, they spoke the Word with boldness, and the church grew to over 5000. Community works.
“As soon as they were freed, Peter and John returned to the other believers and told them what the leading priests and elders had said. When they heard the report, all the believers lifted their voices together in prayer to God.” The result of the prayer meeting…the place was shaken, they were all filled with Holy Spirit, they spoke the Word with boldness, and the church grew to over 5000. Community works.
We are calling the community of God to unity in regard to missions. We can obviously do more together perpetuating the gospel than we can apart. I challenge you to be in one mind and one accord with your pastors and leadership. The end result will be that the Kingdom of God will grow by thousands of souls coming to Christ because of our unity and vision. Community works when we all bear responsibility and do our part! Hebrews 10:24-25 (NCV) “Let us think about each other and help each other to show love and do good deeds.
You should not stay away from the church meetings, as some are doing, but you should meet together and encourage each other. Do this even more as you see the Day coming.”
You should not stay away from the church meetings, as some are doing, but you should meet together and encourage each other. Do this even more as you see the Day coming.”
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