07-10-11 AM - Becoming Part of a Vibrant Community

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 LOVE GOD-LOVE PEOPLE-SERVE WITH PASSION

BECOMING PART OF A VIBRANT COMMUNITY

Acts 2:42-47; 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.

4:32-37 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. 
33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. 
34 There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 
35 and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need. (Then he gives an example)
36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), 
37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles' feet.

Humility is defines as: lowliness of mind, or low lying; not proud, or haughty; not arrogant or assertive; reflecting, expressing or offered in a spirit of deference ( consideration of others) or submission, unpretentious.

Our level of humility will determine our level of unity, and our level of unity will determine the level of God’s presence and power.

Gal. 5:22-26 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 
23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 
24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 
25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 
26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
koinonia –which is often translated communion or fellowship.

We come together at one table, and celebrate one Lord, one death, and participate in eating one body (this is my body which is broken for you) and drinking one cup (this cup is the new covenant in my blood which is poured out for you). “We do everything because of Christ’ to look and act like Christ”

Block #1. You must be a believer.

Block #2 You serve in your gifts and where your needed. Serve!
Who am I discipling with my gift and am I being disciple?

Block #3 You’re concerned about the needs of others. 2:45; Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 34 There were no needy persons among them.

Phil 2:1-8 1 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 
2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 
3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 
4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. 
5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 

6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 
7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 
8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross!

Block #4 You’re committed to teaching. 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching…

F.A.T. Faithful – Available – Teachable.

You can do a lot with some one that has a teachable spirit.

Block #5 You’re committed to fellowship. 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship…

fellowship - partnership, or participation, or social intercourse, and benefaction

Block #6 You’re committed to breaking bread. 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread.

Block #7 You’re committed to Prayer. 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

“Prayer is to the soul what breathing is to the body.”

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.'"