In the book of Acts we are introduced to the church.

It comes with many questions which are not asked in text but asked as we look at the text and gives wonderful answers. Today we are going to ask the question“Why do we do what we do?” When we look at this question one of the things we are looking for is values!

WHAT ARE VALUES?

Ken Blanchard and Michael O’Connor write, “Perhaps more than any previous time, an organization must know what it stands for and on what principles it will operate. No longer is values- based organizational behavior an interesting philosophical choice – it is a requisite for survival.”

We will find out that this statement is very Biblical for the church yesterday and today

Lyle Schaller writes, “The most important single element of any …congregation … is the core value system.”

Values speak of what is most important.

Aubrey Malphurs in his book Advanced Strategic Planning gives nine reasons Values are important to the life of the church. Here are three:

1. Values determine Ministry Distinctive.

No two churches are exactly alike.

Values answer the question what makes each church unique in its culture.

2. Values dictate Personal Involvement

People who come ask the question, “Do we have the same values?

3. Values Communicate what is Important

They communicate what really matters. This is what we stand for; this is what we are all about!

Malphurs defines Core Values as “The constant, passionate, biblical beliefs that drive the ministry.

WHAT WERE THE VALUES OF

THE JERUSALEM CHURCH?

The Jerusalem church considered core values important, for Luke states that the church “devoted themselves” to core values.

Write down the values they lived:

FIRST: THEY DEVOTED THEMSELVES TO THE

APOSTLE'S TEACHING.

The Apostles' Teaching was the inspired Word of God that was being taught to the early church. It included both the Old Testament which the Apostles affirmed, explained, and applied as well as the New Testament revelation that they were at the time receiving.

The Apostles Articles of Belief:

I believe in God the Father

Almighty,

maker of heaven and earth;

And in Jesus Christ his only

Son our Lord:

who was conceived by

the Holy Spirit,

born of the Virgin Mary,

suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, dead and buried;

the third day he rose from the dead;

He ascended into heaven,

and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;

from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy church,

the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body,

and the life everlasting. Amen.

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SECOND: THEY DEVOTED THEMSELVES TO THE FELLOWSHIP.

Koinonia: Partnership/participation

fellowship

Philippians 2:1-2 declares, “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, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.”

THE WOD FELLOWSHIP ( KOINONIA) is being in agreement with one another, being united in purpose, and serving alongside each other. Our fellowship with each other is based on our common fellowship with Jesus .

1 John 1:6-7, “If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. BUT IF we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have FELLOWSHIP with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.”

A powerful example of what koinonia should look like can be found in a study of the phrase “one another” in the Bible...

LOVE one another (1 Peter 1:22;

1 John 3:11; 3:23; 4:7; 4:11-12),

be devoted to one another (Ro 12:10)

honor one another (Ro 12:10),

live in harmony(Ro 12:16; 1 Pe 3:8)

accept one another (Romans 15:7), serve one another in love (Gal 5:13), be kind to one another (Ep 4:32),

admonish one another (Col 3:16), encourage one another (1 Thes 5:11)

offer hospitality (1 Peter 4:9).

These sum up what true biblical fellowship should look like.

THIRD: THEY DEVOTED THEMSELVES TO PRAYER

We must not meet life in our own strength, and we do not have to. We can meet the problems of life because we have met with Him!

We can help each other... HOW?

Pray for one another....

As a Church Everything we do must begin with prayer...

FOURTH: THEY DEVOTED THEMSELVES TO COMMUNITY.

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

Not only are we to love one another deeply in the church building, it is to be more outside these four walls.

Hospitality: Neighborly...

Our first church - small, hurt, suspicious... After several months I suggested to our board that we have a week set aside and each board member choose people in the church to invite to the homes to practice biblical hospitality - so people will get to know each other on a different level. They did not like the idea on the grounds if we get to know one another, we will get to know people's needs and will feel obligated to help each other.

Let me tell you what happened, they did begin to get together outside of the church - eating together - and it helped change the dynamics of the church.

Go to lunch or have someone over for lunch...

FIFTH: THEY DEVOTED THEMSELVES TO WORSHIP.

PRAISE LIFTED UP in His Sanctuary. When we come together corporately - we are to praise Him... in song, in a concert praise...

FIFTH: THEY DEVOTED THEMSELVES TO EVANGELISM "Praising God and enjoying the favor of all." "The Lord added..."

OUR VALUES

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GODLY LEADERSHIP

A Godly leader is one who follows Christ whole heartedly and influences others by example of servant leadership.

SCRIPTURE

1 Peter 5:1-5; Mark 9:35; Luke 22:26

TOUGH QUESTION: Am I living what I teach? Am I livinggodly in a world that desperately needs an example of godly living? Am I living it out fully by serving others?

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BIBLICAL TEACHING

We are committed to teaching God's Word With integrity and clarity so that individual lives will be transformed to be more like Jesus

SCRIPTURE

Acts 2:42; 2 Timothy 4:1-5; Hebrews 4:12

TOUGH QUESTION: Am I living the principles of God's word? (Salt) Am I presenting God's message clearly so others can live it? (Light)

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PRAYER

We value the power of prayer to accomplish what only God can do.

SCRIPTURE: Jeremiah 33:3;

Isa 56:7; Mat 21:13; Acts 2:42; Philip 4:6-7; 1 Tim 2:1; Jam 5:16

TOUGH QUESTION: Have I prayed today?

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PRAISE AND WORSHIP

We are committed to Spirit filled praise and worship that brings us into the presence of God corporately and individually...

SCRIPTURE:

Psalms 100:1-5; John 4:24; James 5:13; 1 Cor 14:26

TOUGH QUESTION: Have I entered into His presence today?

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GOD’S GRACE

We believe “God doesn’t treat us as we deserve, He treats us as He values us.” We believe God’s GRACE changes everything, allowing us to forgive the past and move on to a great future.

SCRIPTURE:

Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:21-24; 1 Corinthians 15:10

TOUGH QUESTION: Do I live a life which expresses God's grace?

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PEOPLE

We believe People matter to God, and therefore people matter to us.

SCRIPTURE:

John 3:16; 2 Corinthians 5:14-20; Luke 15

TOUGH QUESTION: Do I respect people and build relationships which share the love of Christ?

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WORLD MISSIONS

We strive to support the sharing of the Gospel by personal involvement, prayer and by giving to home and foreign missions.

SCRIPTURE: Acts 1:8

TOUGH QUESTION: Am I a witness in my community?

Am I supporting missions at home and around the world?