Introduction:
What should the modern church look like? After 150 years of local church ministry, so now what should
we look like at the Fayetteville Baptist?
Should we even have a church today?
Do
we even need a church today? We
have video and TV preachers that we can watch.
We could all worship at home or on the golf course on Sunday mornings. It is the only day we have off.
We are supposed to rest aren’t we?
How can you rest when you have to get up to go to church?
Is it relevant or is it a relic of the past to be forgotten?
Some would argue that the church is too old and should go along with
the horse and buggy. Is
the Church for today?
Today’s
text is the beginning of the church. Let’s
go back to find out what is the relevance of the church on society.
Scripture
Text:
Acts 2:37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and
said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"
38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name
of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the
gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for
all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call." 40 With
many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save
yourselves from this corrupt generation." 41 Those who accepted his
message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number
that day. 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the
fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled
with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44
All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their
possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 Every day they
continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their
homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and
enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily
those who were being saved.
Yes, it is the body of
Christ.
God has chosen people to be his body on earth today.
Without the church then there is no chosen presence.
We are his hands, feet, eyes, ears, and mouth.
We are Jesus’ body going throughout the world.
Yes, it is the salt and
light to the world.
God has commanded that we shine the light.
The church is to continue to show the true way to live.
Yes, it is the place where
people go who believe in the Lord.
The people said what should we do?
Yes, it is the place where
people go who want to follow the Lord.
Repent and be baptized. Without
the church, who will preach, who will teach, who will baptize, and who will
invite?
Yes, it is the place where
people go who receive God in their lives.
It isn’t a club or a social
organization, but it is the gathering of the saints.
Yes it is the place where
people go who have heard the call from God.
The Ecclesia is the called out
ones. Have you heard God’s
call?
Yes, it is the place where
people go who want to hear from the Lord.
Listen to the message and study the teaching of the Lord.
Yes, it is the place where
people go who want to devote themselves to the Lord.
If there are still people who
want to devote themselves to God then the church is for today.
Yes, it is the place where
people go to share the Lord and His blessings with others.
This is the fellowship of the
people who call each other brothers and sisters.
We are a family of God. The
people sold all they had in the first church to help the others in the family.
They met daily to fellowship, worship, and help the others of the
family.
Yes, it is the place where
people go to find support and help. As
long as there are needy people the church will be relevant if it seeks to meet
the needs that folks have.
Yes, it is the place where
people go to find Hope! What
other group in the world provides people with an eternal hope?
Yes, it is the place where
people go to evangelize.
We are to show the good news in words and deeds.
We are here to work together with others to reach the lost and
unbelieving world. It is the diving board for evangelistic minded people.
People who want to share the good news.
Yes, it is the place where
people go who depend on the Lord.
We depend on Him for our lives, our salvation, and to save our family,
friends, and neighbors. We will
be here to be used by Him to reach the others.
Yes it is the place where
people are added to the number or they joined the believers in the church. 41 Those who accepted his
message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number
that day. 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the
fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
We believe that this verse shows that the people counted the
numbers that day. Everyone
counted. Those who accepted the message were baptized and they were added to
the number or list of people who gave their selves to God through the church.
Each one was important enough to count as a part of that group.
Today we have membership rolls or lists of people who have been led by
God to join the church. Are you
one of those? Is God leading you
to become a member of this group? Will
you join today? Would you become
apart of the family today? This
is the family of God and you count. This
isn’t a membership drive, but an opportunity to follow the Lord.
Have you? Will you today?