Sunday, October 4, 2015

ACTS2DAY + AN INTRODUCTION + Pastor's Perspective Sunday, 26 September 2015




We hope that you feel very welcome and that you will sense the presence of the Holy Spirit in the services.  As we worship it is our prayer that those on the platform and those in the congregation will “HEAR WHAT THE SPIRIT SAITH”  

The greatest Church Growth textbook was not only written about the Spirit that baptized, purified, empowered, and directed the first Christians, it was written by that same Spirit—that Spirit that raised up Jesus from the dead!

Within the 28 chapters of our New Testament book “The Acts of the Apostles,” Dr. Luke not only tells us what happened at the birth of the Church on the day of Pentecost, he explains why it happened and how the Church grew from a band of 120 gathered in an Upper Room in Jerusalem to a world-wide crusade.

In the second chapter of Acts we read that at the Christian Pentecost, “The Lord added to the ekklesia daily, those that were being saved.” (Acts 2:47)  “Ekklesia,” a Greek term we translate “Church” means literally “Called out Ones.”  

Throughout history the ekklesia has persevered in times of persecution and endured in the face of opposition.  Time and time again the ekklesia has survived, revived, and thrived after being left for dead. Neither heretics nor compromisers have kept the Church militant from pursuing her holy mission. 

Jesus promised, “I will build my ekklesia, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18.  He is keeping His Word. “Jesus Christ the same, yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8.

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As we begin our 20th year of ministry, the Holy Spirit has given us a fresh vision for His ekklesia, the assembly we call Faith Community.  The second chapter of Acts will be our paradigm.  

We’re praying that that purifying power and presence of Pentecost will fill every heart. 

We’re praying that our preaching, our teaching, our witnessing, and the daily living of our lives will be Spirit-driven.

We’re praying that the Lord will add to His Ekklesia those that are being saved.

And we’re praying that this Ekklesia will experience the peace, and love, and joy the first disciples knew.  Here’s how the Church began!  We believe Acts 2 is for Today!

ACTS 2: 41  PUBLIC TESTIMONY BY BAPTISM  Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

EMBRACING DOCTRINE of the APOSTLES  42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine

ENJOYING FELLOWSHIP  and fellowship, and 

PARTAKING THE LORD’S SUPPER in breaking of bread, and 

PRAYING in prayers.

MIRACLES 43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

GENEROSITY 44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

WORSHIP 46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, 

HOSPITALITY and breaking bread from house to house, 

CONTENTMENT & JOY did eat their meat with gladness 

UNITY and singleness of heart,

PRAISE 47 Praising God, and

FAVOR  having favour with all the people. 

GROWTH And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

ACTS2DAY is our aspiration!  We want the Acts 2 experience today.  And we want others to realize the joy of Acts 2!

Thanks for being here today.  We are praying that the Presence of Pentecost will sanctify every heart, that the power of Pentecost will strengthen every soul, that the truth of Pentecost would fill every mind, and that the witnesss of Pentecost would be proclaimed by all who have joined us in this Crusade for Souls!

WE LOVE YOU!

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