The New Testament Church (July 23, 2023)
Sermon Outline for Sunday, July 23, 2023
Pastor Andy Lambert
PASSAGES: Acts 4:31-35
The distinctive marks that identified the New Testament must be a part of the church of 2023.
Acts 4:31-35 ~ “And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness. Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.”
The New Testament Church Was a Church of Prayer
A. They prayed (“And when they had prayed …”)
B. Prayer brought results (“the place … was shaken”)
C. They prayed together (“they were gathered together”)
The New Testament Church Was Filled with the Holy Spirit
A. All were filled (“they were all filled with the Holy Spirit”)
B. All were filled when they had prayed (“And when they had prayed … they were all filled”)
The New Testament Church Was a Church of the Word
A. The Word emanated from the Holy Spirit filling (“they were all filled … to speak the Word of God”).
B. The Word was verbalized (“speak the Word of God”).
C. The Word was preached with boldness (“speak … with boldness”).
The New Testament Church Was a Church of Grace
A. There was an abundance of grace (“great grace was upon them all”).
B. Grace and love prevailed (“were of one heart and of soul”).
The New Testament Church Was a Church of Generosity
A. Sharing was a natural grace (“Neither was there any among them that lacked”).
B. Their giving was through the agency of the church (“brought the prices … laid them down at the apostles’ feet”).
C. Their giving was outward expression.
The church is the body of Christ, and the members of the body of Christ are the only units of God’s creation that are breathed upon, inspired, anointed, and moved upon by the Holy Spirit. Our challenge is to be the continuation of that New Testament church.
Pastor Andy Lambert ~ pastorandy@cvcog.church
Call/Text: 205.642.8744 ext 101