Welcome Home everyone
POINT #4: The Lord’s Supper as a Means of Care
The sacrament of communion is universal to Christianity. However, there are conflicts to how and when a new convert should be allowed to partake. But it is my belief that when we enter into Christ Jesus through faith we are saved and therefore immersed/baptized into the one body of Christ and that alone should qualify all believers to receive. The purpose of communion as a sacrament is for the edification of the body of Christ. And like discipleship our process begins many times even before we believed. For some discipleship begins before they are even saved. If we are called to make disciples (not converts), discipleship is the process of bringing someone to faith. Communion as a means of care can be significant from the earliest stage of faith in Christ. I’ll move to my next point.
POINT #5: Hospitality
The early church settings were commonly in homes. We also see the breaking of bread both for regular sharing of meals as well as the Lord’s Supper. These acts of sharing and giving to one another have become quite evident throughout Luke-Acts.
Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,
Acts 2:46
I’ll move to my next point.
POINT #6: Prayer, Praise, Worship
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Acts 2:42
praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Acts 2:47
The devotion to prayer/ praise helped fuel the fire of the outpouring of the Spirit Himself. Prayer is our lifeline to God/ to Christ Himself.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Philippians 4:6
In times of need or desperation, I hear people say, all we can do now is pray as if it is the last line of defense. I say that prayer and even praise is our first line of offense & defense.
Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams’ horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. 5 When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have the whole army give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the army will go up, everyone straight in.”
Joshua 6:4-5
Prayer is our conversation with God. You cannot separate a Christ follower and Prayer.
If we can communicate these ideas, in an outward sense, We can see our light shine bright for Christ. This is an encouragement to believers as well as grant us…
Favor with Those Outside the Church
The Apostle Paul had this to say…
To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.
1 Corinthians 9:22
We will be disciples making disciples!
Will you join me as we seek an authentic relationship united in Christ and each other? Rejecting division, embracing God’s reality in Jesus, and encouraging one another. It’s just between you and God. Here’s the thing, If we love God and abide in Christ we will find ourselves more and more loving each other. You will we more and you will love better. We will experience God in spirit and in truth and we will share that amongst each other. Share all the ways God has shown you mercy and grace. Will you allow the Holy Spirit to stir faith in someone through your testimony? Would you join me as the Holy Spirit moves on us to be unified in the spirit of Christ? These are the kingdom values. This is truly the work of God. The intentional actions of the body of Christ. Remember the devil seeks only to kill steal and destroy. Steal your freedom, kill your joy, and destroy your destiny for hope and love. But God has a plan! He’s stealing from your neighbor, your family, and your loved ones today.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16
Jesus, He’s the Son of the living God, and we can receive from Him today His Righteousness, His purpose and His calling. Will you call on him today? Your salvation/forgiveness is just one prayer away. Will you trust in his ability to do what He said He would do? Will you believe today? Many of you need a fresh touch from God today. mIs there some form of unbelief or a fracture of trust as it relates to God in your life today? God wants to redeem and restore those areas of your life? He wants to restore Joy and hope for you today. You’re hearing this now and the Holy Spirit has brought someone or something to mind. He wants to speak life into this today. He wants to bring healing in this area today. There are areas of deep regret when it comes to your relationship with God and you have rejected Christ as your savior …It’s not too late It’s not too late to humble yourself before him today, hold out your arms and open your hands to receive from him today. Will you say yes to Jesus, today? Will you bow your heads with me? Some of you already know the Lord, but maybe he’s put something on your heart that you need to deal with, you need to ask his forgiveness today. If that’s you will you just acknowledge that to him today. This is just you and God here. Now someone here may not have that relationship with Jesus and today you’ve felt him tugging at your heart, you’ve been hurt, and you’re guarded, I know. Jesus is here and wants set things right in your life. If you’ll say Pastor, I want Jesus to be my Lord and savior. Remember, it’s just you and God here. Will you pray with me today, We’ll pray here as a family and you can repeat after me?
Jesus, I know that I’m a sinner. I ask you today for your forgiveness. I believe that you died for my sins and on that 3rd day, you rose from the dead. I ask you to come into my heart today. I trust and follow you as my Lord and savior. Guide me and help me to do your will. In Jesus’ name Amen.
“‘“The Lord bless you
Numbers 6:24-26
and keep you;
25 the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
26 the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.”’