Being the True Church in our Generation

Being the True Church in our Generation  
Acts 2:37-47

I. The local church is primarily an assembly of transformed followers of Christ who come together to love God, love others and make disciples.

Titus 3:5 - “God saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit.”       

2 Corinthians 5:17 - “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

Ephesians 2:1-5 - “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins …by nature children of wrath… even when we were dead in our transgressions, He made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved).”

• Forgiven of rebellion and trusting in Christ as Savior and Lord

Acts 2:37-41

Acts 3:19 - “Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.”

John 5:24 - “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.”

•  Devoted to being equipped to live like Christ

Acts 2:42

John 15:7-8 - “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.”

• Characterized by loving God and others.

Acts 2:43-47

Matthew 22:37-39 - “Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ ... ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”

•  Reproducing other disciples.

Acts 2:42 & 47

Matthew 4:19 - “And He said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.’”

II. The local church must have a clear and transferable pathway of disciple-making in order to have an eternal impact.

     1. Large gatherings - Believers meeting together (Church)  2:46
     2. House gatherings - Smaller groups (Community Groups) 2:46    
     3. Smaller gatherings - Discipleship groups (Core groups- D groups)
     4. Outward Focus - Inviting evangelism and intentional discipleship (The
         Crowd) 2:47

28:23-31

Faith Sheet

Transformation verse – Jonah 4:2 “…You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness…”

 #1-Reviewing This Past Sunday
Being the True Church in our Generation      
Acts 2:37-47

1. Read Acts 2:37-47 and discuss the message with someone.
2. If someone asked you this week what is the purpose of MCC what
    would be your answer?
3. What has attending MCC done for you and your family over the years in
    the area of becoming a follower of Christ?
4. If everyone were as committed to Christ’s model and method of disciple-
    making the way you are, what type of church would we have?
5. Pray Hebrews 13:20-21 for yourself and for others.

# 2-Preparing for Next Sunday
Being the True Church in our Generation-Part 2
Acts 2:37-47

1. READ- Read the passage several times and ask the Lord to reveal
    Himself and His truth to you. (Acts 2:37-47)
2. EXAMINE- Spend some time marking up your Bible. Ask questions like:
    What is the meaning of the passage, the main thoughts or points?
3. APPLY- Apply the text to your own life. Ask these type of questions:

          ~What does this text tell me about God?
          ~What does this text tell me about myself?
          ~How will I live differently because of what I just read?
          ~Is there a command for me to obey, a warning to observe, a sin I
            must repent of, or something that leads me to give thanks?

4. PRAY- Pray through the passage and your application. Ask God to lead
    you to love Him, love others and to be intentional about making disciples
    by the power of the Holy Spirit.