Devoted to Fellowship (part 2)

DEVOTED TO FELLOWSHIP (part 2)
Pastor Steve Trimble ~ February 21, 2010

Text: Acts 2: 40-47

Eph 2:10 “He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing” Msg.

1. A Church Family Helps Us Grow (41, 47)

A. A healthy Church family grows naturally.

Eph 4:16

B. A healthy Church family helps me to grow.

Heb 2:1, Prov 27:17

2. A Church Family Moves Us Out of Self-centered Isolation. (44-46)

A. The local church is the classroom for learning how to get along in God’s family. It is a lab for practicing unselfish, sympathetic love. As a participating member you learn to care about others and share the experiences of others:

1 Cor 12:26, 1 John 3:16

B. God has a unique role for every believer to play in his family. 1Cor 12:7, Heb 3:13

C. We are called and commanded to be involved in each other’s lives.

3. A Church Family Helps Us Develop Spiritual Muscle (43)

A. Apostles are birthed, and developed in the local church to impact the world.


CONCLUSION: What is the Holy Spirit saying to you about your role in the Church Family?

Devoted to Communion

DEVOTED TO COMMUNION
Pastor Steve Trimble ~ February 14, 2010

Text: Acts 2: 42-47, John 13: 1-17


1. COMMUNION REMINDS US THAT JESUS BECAME A SERVANT

A. He gave up His position in heaven to come and serve.


B. He ministered to people’s needs.


C. He led by example and washed the disciple’s feet.


D. He laid down His life on the cross for us.


2. COMMUNION REMINDS US TO BE SERVANTS LIKE JESUS

A. Serving accomplishes the Master's purpose for my life.

1 Peter 5:5 "all of you, serve each other in humility, for "God opposes the proud but favors the humble."

B. I must serve God, not out of convenience, but conviction.

C. Servants are BLESSED

(17) "Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them."


CONCLUSION: Jesus came to revolutionize this earth through servanthood. He has called, appointed & anointed YOU to serve Him and your generation. He has called YOU to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to your generation through acts of servanthood.

Devoted to Prayer

DEVOTED TO PRAYER
Pastor Steve Trimble ~ Feb 7, 2010
Text: Acts 2: 42-47, Nehemiah 1

1. PRAY TO GOD IN HEAVEN (5)
Nehemiah said three things about God:
1. You're great - that's God's position.
2. You're awesome - that shows God's power.
3. You keep your promises - that's God's covenant.
2. CONFESS THE SIN IN YOUR LIFE (6)
Rom 10:10 "For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved."

James 5:16 "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."

1 John 1:9-10 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives."

3. CLAIM THE PROMISES OF GOD (8-10)
2 Cor 1:20 "For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ."

2 Peter 1:4 "Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires."

4. BE VERY SPECIFIC IN WHAT YOU ASK FOR (11)
Matt 7:7-8 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened."

Heb 10:19 "And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven's Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus." NLT

Eph 3:12 "Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come fearlessly into God's presence, assured of his glad welcome." NLT

Conclusion: As we devote ourselves to pray, we can see the hand of God move in our lives, families, church, city, nation and world.