QUESTION: How does someone become great at what they do?
ANSWER: By focusing on that one thing.
Christian F. Hebbel- “Nothing great in the world has ever been accomplished without passion.”
The early church lived simply before God.
They loved God and people sincerely.
I. Continued Steadfastly V.42
A. Continued Steadfastly- proskartereo – to adhere to one; to persevere and not to faint; to show one’s self courageous: – to “hold on to” something. Here, it’s a “continuous” sense of “holding on”. See also Acts 1:14; 2:46; 6:4
B. How It Applies To Us
1. “Steadfast continuance”– Regular lifestyle for the Christian. Not occasional thing.
2. Why is it important?
The early church was healthy and strong, as were the people in it.
Their strength came from the steadfast continuance in these things listed in Acts2.
3. Illustration
I can eat a healthy diet 2 days per week, and eat junk food 5 days per week.
Occasional healthy meals don’t make me healthy.
4. A quick fix prayer, a month long commitment to reading your Bible, an occasional visit to church: lack of “steadfast continuance” results in anemic Christian living.
5. The world offers “quick fixes”; God says to make it a lifestyle.
II. Continually Studied The Word Vs.42, 44
A. Sameness Of Belief V.44
1. Literally- believed upon the same thing.
2. They studied the word of God, and lived by the word of God.
III. Continually Met Together Vs.42,46
A. Continual Fellowship-Koinonia
1. Association, community, communion, joint participation
2. Togetherness was built upon and around Jesus. Talked about the reality Jesus.
3. Opposite our California lifestyle. Many seek isolation, avoid interaction.
4. The early church purposed to meet together. They planned to do it. So must we.
B. Continual Breaking Of Bread
1. More than just sharing a meal
2. Sharing a meal was an act of deep fellowship, friendship, bonding
3. Communion service- remembering the work of Jesus upon the cross.
C. Continual Corporate and Smaller Meetings- At the temple and in homes.
D. Continual Right Attitudes- V.46b
1. Gladness-extreme joy
2. Simplicity of heart-singleness, uncomplicated, uncluttered, focused on one thing.
IV. Continually Prayed V.42
V. Continually Met Each Other’s Needs Vs.44, 45
A. Not Communism, But Commonism
B. Focused On Loving One Another
C. Not Materialistic
1. Deut. 8:18 “And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth…
2. It’s not our money, our house, etc. All our possessions come from the Lord, and should be at His disposal as He leads us to take care of others.
VI. Continually Worshipped God V.47
A. Worship-to praise, extol sing praises in honor to God.
B. Continual Choice-
C. Continual Response-
D. Steam Engine Illustration-Jon Courson
VII. Continually Influenced Their World Vs. 43, 47
A. People Were In Fear Of God
1. Fear Is Not A Bad Thing-Brings caution and avoidance of that which hurts you
2. Prov. 3:7,8 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones.
3. Luke 5:8,10 8When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!”… And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.”
B. Apostles Had Miraculous Power
1. God is the giver of miracles: how, when, if He desires.
2. These men were used of God in this way by God’s choice, but look who God chose.
C. They Had Favor With The People
1. Charis- grace, sweetness, charm, loveliness, good will
2. They had such dispositions as to have a favor & sweet relationships w/ the public.
3. This doesn’t discount opposition and persecution that will follow.
4. The average person on the street wasn’t put off by the church, but favored them.
5. We don’t earn favor by being men-pleasers.
6. We earn favor by being God pleasers. Be a person of integrity, kindness, love.
D. God Added To The Church V.47
1. The natural fruit of “continual steadfastness” in the basics of the Christian life.
2. People gave their lives to Jesus every day. People got saved daily.
3. This is the best evangelistic program that a church can have.
4. Healthy sheep make more sheep.
The early church…
1. Lived simply
2. Loved sincerely (both God and man)