Monday, November 14, 2005
Imagine This!
Here's Acts 2:42-47 as rendered in The Message...Try to imagine our
simple churches experiencing this!
42They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life
together, the common meal, and the prayers. 43Everyone around was in
awe--all those wonders and signs done through the apostles! 44And all
the believers lived in a wonderful harmony, holding everything in
common. 45They sold whatever they owned and pooled their resources so
that each person's need was met.
46They followed a daily discipline of worship in the Temple
followed by meals at home, every meal a celebration, exuberant and
joyful, 47as they praised God. People in general liked what they saw.
Every day their number grew as God added those who were saved.
1. Imagine simple churches with simple instructions from apostolic
leadership to live holy lives and all of them committed to working
that out together.
2. Imagine simple churches doing life together because they are
connected in real life situations.
3. Imagine simple churches meeting to share meals together regularly
weekly or more.
4. Imagine simple churches devoted to prayer both personal and corporate.
5. Imagine simple churches keeping a treasure chest of clothing, toys,
food etc. to give away to anyone who has needs.
6. Imagine simple churches keeping a collection of offerings to use to
help others within the simple church or to use as capital funds for
compassionate mission.
Check this out from 1 Corinthians 14:26 also from The Message...
26So here's what I want you to do. When you gather for worship, each
one of you be prepared with something that will be useful for all:
Sing a hymn, teach a lesson, tell a story, lead a prayer, provide an
insight.
simple churches experiencing this!
42They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life
together, the common meal, and the prayers. 43Everyone around was in
awe--all those wonders and signs done through the apostles! 44And all
the believers lived in a wonderful harmony, holding everything in
common. 45They sold whatever they owned and pooled their resources so
that each person's need was met.
46They followed a daily discipline of worship in the Temple
followed by meals at home, every meal a celebration, exuberant and
joyful, 47as they praised God. People in general liked what they saw.
Every day their number grew as God added those who were saved.
1. Imagine simple churches with simple instructions from apostolic
leadership to live holy lives and all of them committed to working
that out together.
2. Imagine simple churches doing life together because they are
connected in real life situations.
3. Imagine simple churches meeting to share meals together regularly
weekly or more.
4. Imagine simple churches devoted to prayer both personal and corporate.
5. Imagine simple churches keeping a treasure chest of clothing, toys,
food etc. to give away to anyone who has needs.
6. Imagine simple churches keeping a collection of offerings to use to
help others within the simple church or to use as capital funds for
compassionate mission.
Check this out from 1 Corinthians 14:26 also from The Message...
26So here's what I want you to do. When you gather for worship, each
one of you be prepared with something that will be useful for all:
Sing a hymn, teach a lesson, tell a story, lead a prayer, provide an
insight.
