LifePoint Lebanon

Rescue Story - Setting the Foundation - Acts 2:37-47

Father’s Day Tag Team Dad Joke Smack Down

Acts 2:37-47 NKJV

Jesus is the Cornerstone…
…and He is the Cornerstone for everybody…

But what good is a foundation unless it is built upon?

God’s desire is for every church to be a vital church.

Vital adjective
1. it is vital that action is taken to protect jobs: essential, indispensable, crucial, key, necessary, of great consequence,
2 a layer of fat protects the vital organs: life-preserving, life-sustaining, fundamental,
3 the new president appeared young and vital: lively, energetic, active, enthusiastic, vibrant, full of vim and vigor

A church that is primarily focused on itself is not a vital church.

A church that isn’t saving lives is not a vital church.

A church that lacks enthusiasm is not a vital church.

The 4 walls of the church:

Doctrine - they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine…

Apostle’s Creed:
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 Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried.He descended into hell.The third day he rose again from the dead.He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on 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 Ghost, the holy catholic Church*,the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

“In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; and in all things, charity.”

Fellowship - and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Koinonia- describes the unity of the Spirit that comes from Christians' shared beliefs, convictions, and behaviors.

Life is better together!

Reverence - Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.

v43 - Then fear came upon every soul…

True reverence is marked by:a stillness and patience before the Lord.

a lack of self focus.

a deep faith expressed through worship.

a quick obedience.

a deep contentment…

Generosity:

44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.

Time
Talent
Treasure

What connects it all together? What upholds each wall when the wind rages, and the rain starts coming in?

Consistency
46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,
47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

We have been called and commanded to build our lives, our homes, our families according to the template God has designed for us… may we do so with joy, and confidence, knowing that our God is too good to ever leave us, there may be times he lets us take steps without holding our hands, but He is there to protect us as we walk every step of the way…