The First & Last Church
Gcotr/ss020605
The church is the platform chosen by God to house and to expand His Kingdom in the earth.
Ephesians says that Jesus died for the church.
The Holy Scriptures plainly tell us that:
The Church is the Family, the Body and the Bride of Christ.
What constitutes a church? The church consists of:
* A called out and called together body of believers
* Greek word: ekklesia
> ek = called out (of the world)
> kaleo = call by name; to invite (to come together)
> twice called --- called out and called together
The story of the birth of the First Church. Acts 2
* Jesus had been crucified, dead, buried and raised to life.
* He had spent 40 days appearing to and teaching followers
* Over 500 people had personally seen Him alive.
* He ascended to heaven from the Mount of Olives.
* For one week the disciples along with over 100 more believers hid themselves in a small second floor room in Jerusalem.
* On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit appeared to them and baptized each one of them with the promised power from God.
* They lost their fear and could not contain their witness
* Out into the streets they went and people everywhere were amazed to see and hear them testify and prophesy.
* Peter preached with boldness and 3000 people were converted to Christianity, believing that Jesus was Messiah.
* The First Church was born.
Acts 2 NKJV
41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.
42 ¶ And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.
I. Common Characteristics Of A First Church Member
A. Committed to the inspired doctrine of the church leadership
1. It’s what we now know as The Bible
2. Penned by chosen holy men inspired by the Holy Spirit, sufficient for:
2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness
* Doctrine
* Reproof
* Correction &
* Instruction in righteousness
In essence, they were Committed To The Word
B. Fellowship
1. Greek Word: Koinonia
* Fellowship; association; community; joint participation
* Intimate spiritual relationship
2. Fellowship in the breaking of bread
* there is something special and spiritual about breaking bread together.
* they mimicked what they had seen Jesus do with them
3. They made time in their busy schedules for Church services and Christian friends.
C. Prayers
1. A two way street of communication with God, in which
2. We talk directly to our Father
John 16
26 "In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you;
27 "for the Father Himself loves you
24 "Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
23 ¶ "And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.
3. They were simply following instructions and as a result:
D. A great reverence for the things of God came upon every soul and that produced awesome results:
1. Signs and wonders were done by the church leadership and
2. Every church member had their needs met
Acts 2
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.
II. The First Church Was Filled With Some Heavenly Rewards
A. Unity was in the Church
B. Fellowship was in the First Church
C. Joy was in the First Church
D. Purpose was in the First Church
E. Praise was in the First Church
F. Favor was in the First Church
G. Salvation was in the First Church
Why? Because they had it together.
They knew
Who they were
Whose they were
What they were and
Why they were
How about us?
Do we as individuals know that:
1. We are called out of this world
2. We are called together as a church
Do we as a church know
1. Who we are
2. Whose we are
3. What we are
4. Why we are
You know what really excites me:
I know the First Church was great and mighty and powerful and they had it together.
But I believe that the prophetic implication is ready to unfold in our generation. The words of the prophet Haggai speak plainly to me and I believe he is ultimately speaking of The Last Church when he says:
Haggai 2:9 ‘The latter glory of this house will be greater than the former,’ says the LORD of hosts …
We, the church, we are somebody important headed somewhere important.
Are you a part of the Church?
If so and you have been called out of the world, your name is on the church rolls of heaven, written in the Lambs Book of Life.
You have not only been called out, but as a Christian, you have also been called together into unity, fellowship and participation with other believers. This is God’s will for every Christian.
This is my annual plea and your opportunity to have your name recorded on earth’s church roll as well as on heavens. It is important to publicly identify yourself with the local church God has called you to gather with. Do you feel God adding you to this church today?
