THEME:
Mother’s Day is the perfect time to celebrate kindness and love. Unfortunately, some Christians don’t display these traits in front of non-believers. But those in the early church did, and it made a huge difference. Lives were changed. The gospel went forward. Let’s model their behavior. Let’s be like them.
KEY SCRIPTURE:
Acts 2:42-47
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
You can model the early church when you are committed to learning the ways of God
Acts 2:42
…the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
You can model the early church when you immerse yourself in Christian Community
Acts 2:44-45
And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.
You can model the early church when you watch out for the needs of others
Romans 12:9-13
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
Acts 2:43, 46, 47
And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles… they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
When you live like these early Christians, God will use you to accomplish far more than you could ever imagine
God can do miracles through you, when your life reflects the values of the early church
When you live like early Christians, your heart can be full of generosity and gladness
Jeremiah 2:13
My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water. (NIV)
When you live like those in the early church, you will earn the respect of those around you, and many may come to know Christ
Acts 2:47
And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.