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4 Necessities for the early church |
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INTRO: 4 Necessities for the early church and early Christians are the same necessities needed today for our church and for us as Christians
I. THE EARLY CHRISTIANS WERE DEVOTED TO THE APOSTLES TEACHING
A. Doctrine is important
B. Matthew 28:19-20 teaching them all things...
C. 1 Corinthians 11:2 I praise you for remembering me in everything and for
holding to the teachings, just as I passed them on to you.
D. 2 Thessalonians 2:15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the
teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.
E. 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching,
rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
F. 1 Timothy 4:16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them,
because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
G. 2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when men will not put up with
sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around
them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
H. Titus 1:9 He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been
taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those
who oppose it.
I. Titus 2:1 You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine.
II. THE EARLY CHRISTIANS WERE IN FELLOWSHIP WITH ONE ANOTHER
A. 1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have
fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from
all sin.
B. Galatians 2:9 James, Peter and John, those reputed to be pillars, gave me
and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace
given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the
Jews.
III. THE EARLY CHRISTIANS BROKE BREAK TOGETHER
A. Acts 20:7 On the first day of the week we came together to break bread.
Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept
on talking until midnight.
B. 1 Corinthians 11:23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to
you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread,
C. 1 Corinthians 11:26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup,
you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.
IV. THE EARLY CHRISTIANS WERE FOUND IN PRAYER
A. Luke 19:46 "It is written," he said to them, "'My house will be a house of
prayer'; but you have made it 'a den of robbers'."
B. Acts 1:14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the
women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
C. Romans 12:12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
D. Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by
prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God
E. Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
F. James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each
other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful
and effective.
V. BECAUSE THE EARLY CHRISTIANS
A. Were devoted to the teachings of the Apostles
B. Lived in fellowship with one another
C. Broke the communion bread with one another
D. Were found in prayer
E. It brought 8 results
1. They were filled with awe :43
2. They were able to do miraculous signs :43
3. They shared with each others needs :45
4. They continued to worship even daily :46
5. They had glad & sincere hearts
6. They praised God :47
7. They had favor with all people
8. They increased in number the Lord added to their number daily
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