purpose in community acts 2v 42-47

“Life is what happens when

you’re busy making other plans”

John Lennon

But my work seems so useless! I have spent my strength for nothing and to no purpose

Isaiah 49:4 NLT

Human life is a struggle, isn’t it? It’s a life sentence to hard labour … with nothing to hope for but payday, I’m given a life that

meanders and goes nowhere — months of aimlessness, nights of misery!

Job 7:1-3 Mess

The Lord has made everything for His own purposes

Proverbs 16:4

Today

‘Purpose in community’

Acts 2:42-47

‘New beginnings for the people of God’

‘Building a community of people who live out God’s purposes

(in the community in which we live)

GFEC Mission Statement

Key word ‘Devoted’ = ‘proskartereo’

to give constant attention to to be steadfastly attentive toto give unremitting care to …

They devoted themselves to … the fellowship Acts 2:42

They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts

Acts 2:46b

Fellowshipping together – Love for each other

We are many parts of one body, and we all

belong to each other

Rom12:5b

Fellowshipping together – Love for each other

What we have is one body with many parts, each its proper size and in its proper place. No part is important on its own. Can you

imagine Eye telling Hand, “Get lost; I don’t need you”? Or, Head telling Foot, “You’re

fired; your job has been phased out”?

1 Cor 12:20-21 – The Message

Fellowshipping together – Love for each other

Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, so we cared for you.

Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the

gospel of God but our lives as well

1 Thess 2:7b-8

Fellowshipping together – Love for each other

“Why am I afraid to tell you who I am? I am afraid to tell

you who I am, because, if I tell you who I am, you may

not like who I am, and it's all that I have...”

John Powell

Fellowshipping together – Love for each other

They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching

Acts 2:42a

Discipled together – love for being taught

“The meeting place is the learning place for

the market place”

John Wimber

Discipled together – love for being taught

Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives.

Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom He gives

Col 3:16a NLT

Discipled together – love for being taught

They devoted themselves to … the breaking of bread and to prayer

Acts 2:42

Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts ... praising God

Acts 2:46, 47

Worshipping together – love for God

Who may stand in his Holy place? Only those whose hands and hearts are pure, who do not

worship idols

Ps 24:3b-4

Worshipping together – love for God

Focus on God

Worshipping together – love for God

Primarily to give

Contribute not to criticise

All the believers were together and had everything in common

Acts 2:44

Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need

Acts 2:44

Ministering together – love to serve others

‘Ministry is using whatever God has given me to serve Him and the needs of others’

Ministering together – love to serve others

the Lord added to their number daily those who

were being savedActs 2:47b

Witnessing – love for unbelievers

“You cannot fulfil God's purposes for your life

while focusing on your own plans”

Rick Warren

Give ourselves in Ministry

Reach out to others in Evangelism

Value one another in Fellowship

Express our love to God in Worship

Obey God’s Word in Discipleship