Grace World Outreach Church
Pastor Daniel K Norris
Acts 2:42-47 ESV
The Four Pillars of the Early Church
- Built on an SUPERNATURAL EXPECTANCY
- Built on AUTHENTIC COMMUNITY
- Built on PRAYER & FASTING
- Built on the PURE GOSPEL
To fully experience the life in WE, I must fully embrace the death of ME
Gal 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
HIS church is instant family
“Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.
Acts 4:32-37 ESV
2000 years ago in Ancient Israel
- Community was built around Jewish Family & Jewish Faith
- The Synagogue was the center of community and culture.
- Families and homes were more communal than
Most often accepting Christ as Messiah meant being cut off entirely
34 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36 And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household. 37 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
(Mt 10:34–39).
The Early church had no choice, they hand to become INSTANT FAMILY
Now:
- Their basis for connection was not centered around their synagogue, but their Savior
- Their basis for connection was not centered around the blood of family, but the blood of the Lamb
The Early Church:
- was authentic
- was organic
- was relational
His Church Requires the death of MR & MRS ME
5:1 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2 and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? 4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” 5 When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. 6 The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him.
7 After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.” 9 But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” 10 Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.
Peter’s Says:
1) Satan has filled your heart
2 Tim 3:1 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.
2) Lied to the Holy Spirit
Why do we lie?
We lie because our self-esteem (pride) feels threatened.
We lie to cover up our self.
What is the consequence of a lie?
It kills Trust
It steals from healthy relationships
It destroys with guilt and shame
3) Held back for yourself
They wanted all the benefits of WE without the full sacrifice of ME
Get This! The catastrophic nature of pride. Pride was so deadly to the early church, that God would not allow that cancer to grow. It had to be dealt with swiftly.
Experiencing the Life in WE requires the Death in ME
UNITE714
Weekly Prayer
16 August through 22 August
“Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,…”Philippians 2:9-10 (ESV)
“Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.”
John 14:13-14 (ESV)
And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.
Acts 3:16 (ESV)
The Prayer
Heavenly Father, the COVID-19 pandemic is still dominating the minds and hearts of people around the world. Panic and anxiety often strike at the very mention of that name. Yet, You have bestowed on Your Son, Jesus, a name that is above every name. It is in His name we come to You united as the Body of Christ. We ask You to heal our lands of COVID-19 in a way that clearly shows our broken world You have intervened on their behalf.
Father, in the name of Your Son Jesus, glorify Yourself by eradicating COVID-19.
Lord Jesus, when You walked the earth, You healed every form of disease and even raised the dead. We are thankful You are still the Healer today. You have the power to heal hurting people, restore fractured cultures, and bring awakening to our lands. Thus, we come before Your throne today in the name of Jesus. We unite and pray with millions of other believers, asking You to pour out Your healing power on our broken world. Many people are battling sickness, isolation, and confusion. Countless have lost jobs and are without resources in the nations of the earth. Your intervention is their only hope.
Father, in the name of Your precious Son, Jesus, heal our world from the ravages of COVID-19.
Lord, the needs of our world are not just financial, medical, mental, and social. The most lethal killer in history is not a physical pandemic. It is the power of Sin and Death. Only You have the power to deliver us! Millions of our planet’s inhabitants are still separated from You. Your great salvation provides righteousness, peace, and joy to the broken multitudes. Lord, unite Your Church and empower us afresh to be the witnesses You have called us to be — to a dying world in desperate need of salvation!
Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus, unite and revive Your Church. Save millions of people through a fresh outpouring of Your Holy Spirit!