Emulating the Spirit-Filled Early Church

Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the essence of what it means to be a Spirit-filled church, drawing inspiration from the early church as depicted in Acts 2. The early church, despite lacking modern conveniences like buildings or complete scriptures, thrived on faith in Jesus Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. This foundational faith led to a vibrant community that was committed to the apostles' teachings, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. These elements are not just historical footnotes but are vital components that we, as a church, should strive to emulate.

The early church was not merely about making converts but about making disciples. This distinction is crucial because it emphasizes the need for growth and maturity in faith beyond the initial acceptance of the gospel. The early believers devoted themselves to the teachings of the apostles, which underscores the importance of grounding our lives in the Word of God. This commitment to scripture is what fuels our spiritual growth and equips us to face the challenges of life with a biblical perspective.

Fellowship was another cornerstone of the early church. It went beyond mere social gatherings; it was about building genuine relationships and community. This kind of fellowship, or "koinonia," is essential for spiritual growth and support. It is in these smaller, intimate settings that we can truly know and be known, share our burdens, and grow together in faith.

Moreover, the early church was marked by a spirit of generosity and service. They shared their possessions and met each other's needs, reflecting the love and compassion of Christ. This selfless giving is a powerful testimony to the world and a tangible expression of God's love.

Finally, the early church was a praising and proclaiming community. Their worship was vibrant and enthusiastic, and they were committed to sharing the gospel with others. This outward focus is crucial because it reminds us that the church exists not just for its members but for the world. We are called to be a light in the darkness, sharing the hope and love of Christ with those around us.

Key Takeaways:

1. Faith and the Holy Spirit as Foundations: The early church thrived on faith in Jesus and the Holy Spirit's presence, lacking modern conveniences but rich in spiritual power. This foundation is all we need to emulate their vibrant community. [35:40]

2. Discipleship Beyond Conversion: The early church focused on making disciples, not just converts. Spiritual growth and maturity are essential, emphasizing the need for a deep commitment to the teachings of the apostles and the Word of God. [38:42]

3. Genuine Fellowship and Community: True fellowship, or "koinonia," goes beyond social gatherings. It involves building genuine relationships and community, where believers can share burdens and grow together in faith. [46:14]

4. Generosity and Service as Testimonies: The early church's spirit of generosity and service was a powerful testimony to the world. Selfless giving and meeting each other's needs reflect Christ's love and compassion. [51:05]

5. Vibrant Worship and Gospel Proclamation: The early church was marked by enthusiastic worship and a commitment to sharing the gospel. This outward focus reminds us that the church exists for the world, called to be a light in the darkness. [59:10]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:45] - Introduction to the Super Bowl of Faith
- [03:15] - The Real Opposition: Sin
- [05:30] - Series Introduction: Upon This Rock
- [08:00] - The Birthplace of the Church
- [12:00] - Faith and the Holy Spirit
- [15:30] - Making Disciples, Not Just Converts
- [20:00] - The Role of Scripture in the Church
- [25:00] - The Importance of Fellowship
- [30:00] - Generosity and Service
- [35:00] - Vibrant Worship
- [40:00] - Proclaiming the Gospel
- [45:00] - The Lord's Supper: A Proclamation
- [50:00] - Building Relationships and Community
- [55:00] - Conclusion and Call to Action

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Spirit-Filled Church

Bible Reading:
- Acts 2:41-47

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Observation Questions:

1. What were the key activities that the early church devoted themselves to according to Acts 2:42? How did these activities contribute to their community life? [36:47]

2. How did the early church demonstrate generosity and service among its members, as described in Acts 2:44-45? [51:05]

3. What was the result of the early church's commitment to worship and community, as mentioned in Acts 2:47? [59:10]

4. How did the early church's approach to fellowship differ from mere social gatherings? What term is used to describe this deeper level of community? [46:14]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. The sermon emphasized the importance of discipleship beyond conversion. How does the early church's devotion to the apostles' teaching reflect this principle? [38:42]

2. In what ways does the early church's practice of sharing possessions challenge modern views on personal ownership and community responsibility? [51:05]

3. How does the concept of "koinonia" in the early church inform our understanding of genuine fellowship today? What are the implications for our own church communities? [46:14]

4. The early church was described as a praising and proclaiming community. How does this dual focus on worship and evangelism shape the mission of the church? [59:10]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own commitment to the teachings of the apostles and the Word of God. What steps can you take to deepen your understanding and application of Scripture in your daily life? [38:42]

2. Consider the role of fellowship in your spiritual growth. How can you actively participate in building genuine relationships within your church community? What barriers might you need to overcome? [46:14]

3. The early church was marked by generosity and service. Identify a specific need within your community or church that you can help meet this week. How can you involve others in this act of service? [51:05]

4. Worship was a vibrant part of the early church's life. How can you bring more enthusiasm and sincerity to your personal and corporate worship experiences? What might be holding you back? [56:14]

5. The early church was committed to proclaiming the gospel. Who in your life needs to hear the message of hope and love in Christ? What practical steps can you take to share your faith with them this week? [59:10]

6. Reflect on the balance between inward community focus and outward mission in your church. How can you contribute to ensuring that your church remains a light in the darkness, as the early church was? [59:10]

7. The sermon highlighted the importance of being a Spirit-filled church. What specific actions can you take to invite the Holy Spirit's presence and guidance in your personal life and church community? [51:05]

Devotional

Day 1: Faith and the Holy Spirit as the Church's Foundation
The early church thrived not because of physical resources or modern conveniences but because of their unwavering faith in Jesus Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. This spiritual foundation empowered them to form a vibrant community that was deeply committed to the teachings of the apostles, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. These elements were not just practices but were the lifeblood of their community, enabling them to grow spiritually and support one another. Today, we are called to emulate this foundation, recognizing that true spiritual power comes from faith and the Holy Spirit, not from external circumstances. [35:40]

"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you." (John 14:16-17, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you rely more on the Holy Spirit's presence in your daily life, especially when facing challenges or decisions?

Day 2: Discipleship Beyond Conversion
The early church emphasized the importance of making disciples, not just converts. This distinction highlights the need for believers to grow and mature in their faith beyond the initial acceptance of the gospel. The early Christians devoted themselves to the apostles' teachings, which underscores the importance of grounding our lives in the Word of God. This commitment to scripture is essential for spiritual growth and equips us to face life's challenges with a biblical perspective. As modern believers, we are encouraged to pursue a deeper understanding of God's Word and to seek spiritual maturity through discipleship. [38:42]

"Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God." (Hebrews 6:1, ESV)

Reflection: What specific steps can you take this week to deepen your understanding of the Bible and grow in your faith journey?

Day 3: Genuine Fellowship and Community
Fellowship in the early church went beyond social gatherings; it was about building genuine relationships and community. This kind of fellowship, known as "koinonia," is essential for spiritual growth and support. In these intimate settings, believers can truly know and be known, share their burdens, and grow together in faith. Today, we are called to cultivate such authentic relationships within our church communities, where we can support one another and grow in our spiritual journeys together. [46:14]

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your church community can you reach out to this week to build a deeper, more genuine relationship with, and how can you support them in their faith journey?

Day 4: Generosity and Service as Testimonies
The early church was marked by a spirit of generosity and service, which served as a powerful testimony to the world. They shared their possessions and met each other's needs, reflecting the love and compassion of Christ. This selfless giving is a tangible expression of God's love and a witness to those around us. As believers today, we are called to embody this spirit of generosity and service, using our resources and talents to meet the needs of others and demonstrate Christ's love in practical ways. [51:05]

"Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." (Hebrews 13:16, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one specific way you can serve someone in need this week, and how can you demonstrate Christ's love through your actions?

Day 5: Vibrant Worship and Gospel Proclamation
The early church was characterized by vibrant worship and a commitment to sharing the gospel. Their worship was enthusiastic and heartfelt, and they were dedicated to proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ to others. This outward focus reminds us that the church exists not just for its members but for the world. We are called to be a light in the darkness, sharing the hope and love of Christ with those around us. Today, we are encouraged to engage in passionate worship and to actively share the gospel with others, fulfilling our mission as the church. [59:10]

"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." (1 Peter 2:9, ESV)

Reflection: How can you incorporate more vibrant worship into your daily routine, and who is one person you can share the gospel with this week?

Quotes

"The book of Acts outlines the earliest moments of church history on record. In Acts 1 and 2 we read about the birthplace of the first church. God's Spirit had fallen on the disciples. They'd gone out into the streets. They were preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, of his death, burial, and resurrection. Three thousand people came to faith in Jesus as a result, and they were baptized. So now you've got thousands of new believers. They have no building to meet in. They have no pastor to lead them. They have no denomination to guide them. They don't even have a complete Bible." [00:34:46] (32 seconds)

"Faith in the Son of God and the indwelling of the Spirit of God. That really is all we need. I know God has bust us with so much more, but as we look at this early church, I want us to emulate that church. You see, this is the charter membership of the very first church of Jesus Christ." [00:35:18] (18 seconds)

"These 3,000 converts needed to be instructed in the truth of God and connected with the people of God. If they were going to grow in knowledge of Jesus Christ and be everything that God wanted them to be. You see, the early church was not charged with the responsibility of simply making converts." [00:35:40] (18 seconds)

"So when a church is filled with the Spirit, they will be, one, preaching the Word. The very first thing that the early church decided they were going to do is devote themselves to the apostles' teaching. So when you walked into the early church, you got a seven-course meal in the Word of God. And there is one thing that I can promise you that you will find when you come to Oak Grove on any given Sunday, you will hear the Word of God." [00:38:42] (26 seconds)

"Oak Grove is a Bible-based and a Bible-built church, and because of that, we have been able to do so many things. We have been able to do so many things. We have been Bible-blessed. You see, this early church was going to live their lives around the teaching of God's Word. They were going to look at it, listen to it, learn from it, and they were going to live by it. They were going to get under the complete authority of the Bible in every part of their lives. And for the early church, there was no separation from Sunday to Monday." [00:39:27] (27 seconds)

"See, the church is where the Holy Spirit reigns. It's a church where the Holy Spirit is welcomed. And a Spirit-filled church is a church that is centered around the preaching of God's Word. When Timothy was trying to teach Paul how to pastor a church the right way, he said to this, 1 Timothy 4.13," [00:40:55] (17 seconds)

"reprove rebuke and exhort with complete patience and teaching now let me tell you something if you're going to reprove rebuke and exhort with complete patience you need the bible and you need the spirit of god amen listen we never begin with the needs of people we always begin with the word of god but when we preach the bible we do it in such a way that it will meet the needs of the people their needs their needs will be met and it's heartbreaking to know that all over the country today there's people who will not hear a biblical exegetical expository authoritative passage from the word of god because it alone has the greatest answers to our greatest questions a spirit-filled church is one that was preaching the word second they will be promoting the fellowship verse 42 and they devoted themselves to the apostles teaching in the fellowship to the breaking of bread and the prayers now these are the people who will not hear a biblical exegetical expository authoritative passage from the word of god these were jewish converts so they were accustomed to coming to the temple and worshiping the lord together they were very familiar with being in a congregation but god is now moving them into a deeper level from congregation to community see from from membership to fellowship and the word that's used here is koinonia it's the first time it's ever used in the new testament and it means to have in common they met together they shared together and they cared for each other together and they cared for each other together and they cared for each other together and they cared for each other together now we've noticed where this took place day by day attending the temple together breaking bread in their homes they receive their food with glad and generous hearts now this is something that had really never been done before people were meeting for prayer for worship for fellowship in the homes why did god have them meet in homes why was he breaking up this large group thousands of converts into smaller groups meeting in houses because fellowship will never turn into friendship in a crowd and anybody that goes to a sunday school class can say amen that is absolutely true i had a had a talk with kyle kyle was one of the missionaries that went down to north carolina last week and he was talking about how he got to know some of the guys through this trip that is koinonia that's true fellowship it's not just standing around having a cup of coffee or or soda pop it's it's doing ministry together because it grows the relationship you see the early church met in homes for the first 300 years of existence of its existence and as you can imagine the homes were very small so in other words beginning with the early church churches were nothing more than a collection of sunday school classes they got together and they read the scriptures they talked about the gospel they talked about jesus and this is why getting involved in a sunday school is a core value here at oak grove it's not just a preference for us it's a biblical principle we need each other we're were created for community." [00:42:49] (178 seconds)

"Adam and Eve were created to have community with God until sin came into the picture and separated them from God. And mankind has never been the same since. So if you're not in a Sunday school class, please get in one today." [00:45:47] (14 seconds)

"How powerful is a spirit-filled church? Let's read about this church just a couple chapters later, Acts 4.31. And when they had prayed... the place in which they were gathered together was shaken and they were all filled with the holy spirit and continued to speak the word of god with boldness amen the place they were in was shaken because of the power of god and the power of their prayers petitioning the lord to hear them to give them boldness to give them an open mouth and an open heart to share jesus with their community you see the church is a family and it's easy to spot a family that really loves each other because they love being together in community billy graham said church goers are like coals in a fire when they cling together they keep the fire glowing when they separate they die out on any given sunday we will be promoting the fellowship third a good church will be providing for needs verse 45 says and they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all as any had need nothing astonished the unbelieving world more than when they looked into the eyes of the church and they were like oh my god what's going on here they were like oh my god what's going on here and saw what we just read because this is not how the culture of that day and that is not how the culture of this day behaves people look out for number one they take care of them and their own the rest of the world no thanks you keep your hands out of my pockets that is the absolute opposite of the early church this church looked out for each other they met each other's needs they shared and they cared for one another they were more interested than giving than they were in receiving they were more interested in serving than in being served and so when you see a church that that is filled with the spirit of god you're going to share the heat of god's love with those who are living in the cold you want to share the light of god's truth those who are living in the dark you see this was a church that understood that when you hear somebody else's stomach growling you give them something to eat when you see somebody else shivering you get them a coat and that's one thing that i love about this church we have a closed closet we have a food pantry we have a benevolence team that meets the needs the immediate needs of people you need groceries we've got groceries don't be embarrassed to ask because there but by the grace of god goes every single one of us we love you you're a member of this community we want to serve you we want to help you we have uh i said our team in north carolina just went down they spent they spent five or six days down there serving the people of north carolina in the name of jesus christ i had a privilege this week of of going over to prospect mill elementary uh there was a tragedy last last week a little child lost his life and and the teachers were just devastated by it and so we provided them our missions and evangelism team provided all the teachers with a lunch with a meal and adam and i had a privilege of going over there and sitting with the teachers and we had an opportunity to pray with several of them and they were just so amazed so amazed you're our neighbors and you're coming over here and caring for us and we yes we're we are a caring place we are a group of people that love each other because we are filled with the spirit of god and we have a love for the son of god superbowl come over to that today this is this is about caring for the needs and providing the future of teachers and seeing it clearly and for the needs of other people well we do funeral meals for people and you say well why are you telling us all this so that the church gets a pat on the back no because one day we're going to stand before the lord he's going to say well done good and faithful servant a spirit-filled church will be like the early church who sold everything they had put them in baskets passing baskets and said take anything you need romans 15 verse 2 said each of us should please our neighbors for their good to build them up do you know what happens when we take the time to quit focusing on our needs and start refocusing on the needs of others you know what will happen you will find that you have all of your needs met because god will bring somebody into your life that can meet your needs so you have needs that i can meet that you can't meet i have needs that i can't meet" [00:51:05] (0 seconds)

"but you can. But if we come together and koinonia with one another, all of our needs can get met. Now, did it cost the early church to do this? Certainly did. When you give up something you have and give it to someone else, are you making a sacrifice? Yes, you are." [00:55:26] (18 seconds)

"Notice what he says in verse 46, and day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they receive their food with glad and generous hearts. We see a happy, enthusiastic, and excited church because they had learned that the greatest joy in life, the greatest benefit in life, was sacrificing for the needs of others. Where do we learn that?" [00:55:38] (22 seconds)

"We learn it from Jesus. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him shall be saved. And he gave his only begotten son, that believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life. Jesus gave it all for us. And in his name, we are to sacrifice as well. Jesus was compassionate towards us while we were yet sinners. Christ died for us. On any given Sunday, when somebody comes to Oak Grove, they're going to see a church that provides for needs. Fourth, they were praising the Lord. Verse 46, and day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they receive their food with glad and generous hearts. And they were praising the Lord. Verse 46, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. On any given Sunday, our worship services are filled with praising people, praising God. You see, it's obvious that there was an atmosphere of enthusiasm and excitement in this church. And to be quite frank, the average church could use a little bit of excitement. You see, too many churches remind me of a couple that were, in an extremely remote section of Montana. They got lost, and they drove for miles. They didn't see anybody. And finally, they came to a crossroads gas station. The man got out. He looked at the barren surroundings, and he went inside. And the store owner was sitting back in a chair, smoking a corncob pipe. The man looked at him and said, Mr., what do you do around here for excitement? The guy looked at him and said, Buddy, around here, we don't get excited." [00:56:52] (90 seconds)

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Transcript

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