The Importance of the Local Church
Acts 2:42-47
All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, and to fellowship and to sharing in meals (including the Lord's Supper), and to prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord's Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity- all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.
Intro:
- The Local Church is a place where people can share what is going on in their lives.
- The Local Church is a place where you will find understanding.
- The Local Church is a place where you will find practical solutions to your problems.
- The Local Church is a place that points people to Christ.
- The Local Church is a safe place to open up to others.
- The Local Church is a place of restoration and reconciliation.
- The Local Church is a place to journey together.
- The Church is a Place to Worship
- Acts 2:46-47 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord's Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity-all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.
- Psalm 100:2-4 Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before Him, singing with joy. Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are His. We are His people, the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving; go into His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name.
- The Church is a Place of Prayer
- Acts 2:42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord's Supper), and to prayer.
- Matthew 21:13 He said to them, "The Scriptures declare, 'My Temple will be called a house of prayer,' but you have turned it into a den of thieves!"
- James 5:14, 16 Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.
- The Church is a Place of Encouragement
- Romans 14:19 So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:11 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.
- 1 Corinthians 14:26 Well, my brothers and sisters, let's summarize. When you meet together, one will sing, another will teach, another will tell some special revelation God has given, one will speak in tongues, and another will interpret what is said. But everything that is done must strengthen all of you.
- The Church is a Place of Gathering
- Acts 2:44, 46 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord's Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity-
- Hebrews 10:25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near.
- Acts 2:42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord's Supper), and to prayer.
- 1 Timothy 4:13 Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them.
- 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.
- The Church is a Place Where God Speaks
- Revelation 2:7 Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what He is saying to the churches.
