Dedicated To The Men of God Who Preach the Word of God As It
Is To Men As They Are
"Preach The Word"
CHARACTERISTICS OF A GREAT CHURCH/
Text: Acts 2:41-47
Introduction:
1. I would like to ask a very important question to begin.
What kind of a Church do you desire? Any church folks
must answer that question.
* Then what will I do to make that desire a Reality?
2. Jesus said in Mt. 16:18 "Upon this Rock I will build my
church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against
it".
3. Lets not forget whose Church the Church is. Let us also
be reminded of what the local church is here for; and
that there are some things that are right with the
church. Amen??
Note: The Church is here for a purpose:
1. The church must be Ministry Oriented:
a. the church needs to be reminded that it is first and
foremost Ministry Oriented towards people, and they
are important in the sight of God.
2. Church ministry must be Intentional: {meaningful}
a. Ministry does not just happen! It must be
intentionally implemented, or fulfilled.
3. Church Ministry must belong to God: Ministry in the
90's must be according to His agenda: Follow His Plans
4. The Bible gives us plainly here, the characteristics of
a Good, Great, and Growing church. Lets see what they
are. OK...
I. THE MOTHER CHURCH IN ACTS 2 WAS A SOUL WINNING CHURCH
A. The church must be "A Praying Church" First of all.
1. Notice that prayer, came before the preaching of Peter
and the others on the day of Pentecost.
B. Now there are several things I must mention here:
1. The fellowshhip with the Apostles and the truth of God
in their Doctrine.={What they taught}
2. Fellowship with one another. [Koinonia] = a communion
of love, sympathy, encouragement, forgiveness, patience
and understanding.
3. Fellowship with Jesus in breaking bread: this is the
Lords Supper Service.
4. Fellowship with God in Prayer: both private and public
a. Illustration: David Livingstone was found dead by the
Natives of Africa that he preached to. He was found
on his knees.
b. A President of a Christian school heard his Doctor
tell his family that he was going to die.
He asked the Doctor and his family to put him on his
knees, which they did. he began to pray. When his
voice failed, he died there on his knees in prayer.
1.The School broke out in Revival.
2. Every student was saved, and
3. The revival spread to the country-side.
4. This is the perfect and heavenly fellowship of Gods
Saints in prayer.
5. That could happen right here; and no one would have
to die.
6. Just settle down to fellowship with God in prayer.
* * So you see, we need a Praying People, and A Preaching
Pastor, and A Participating People
C. The church must be a preaching church. And you are...
1. Let me remind you that a church should require preach-
ing: Let me explain that this way.
a. The best way to be Spiritually blessed with the full-
ness of the gospel is to hear good singing, like you
have here, and then hear the Word of God preached.
2. Gods Word will: Find the sinners. Feed the saints.
and Feebalize satan. Yes, it will.
a. Satan needs to be put in his place, like Jesus put him
in His wilderness temptations, using the Word of God.
3. The Word was preached with Power here in Acts by Peter.
a. Two Old men sat in the back of Spurgeons Tabernacle
years ago.
b. One asked the other: "Did you ever hear Spurgeon
preach? How did he preach? What was it
like? How was
it?
c. Yes sir: many times, the man said, "he was my
Pastor".
d. When Spurgeon stood up to preach, sir, there was power
in his preaching.
W.A. Criswell: said of preaching:
1. The Pulpit is the Pastors throne on Sunday.
2. The most important hour of that day is 11:00 O'clock,
when the Pastor comes to bring Gods message.
3. There is nothing no sweeter than a Pastor called of
God, Born again, Set apart and who preaches Gods Word.
* * 2 Tim. 3:16 "All scripture is given by inspiration of
God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for
instruction in righteousness."
4. When the church prays: and the word is preached, and
the Holy Spirit moves in power, you will always have a
warm fellowship and a soul winning church. Amen...
\
III. WE MUST HAVE A CHURCH THAT IS SOUND IN DOCTRINE VS. 42a.
A. We find that the Disciples cont'd in the Apostles doc-
trine."
B. Doctrine is the Body Of Truth taught and preached by
the Apostles, and Preachers today.
1. The church was Orthrodox...sound in doctrine.
2. Your good pastor preaches sound doctrine, let him
preach right on like he's been preaching.
IV. WE MUST HAVE A SHARING CHURCH VS. 45
A. They shared their gifts:
1. They sold their possessions and goods and parted them
to all men, as every man had need"
2. There was a reason for that. We don't have to do
that today.
3. We do need to care for our church family when they
are in need. Our church does.
B. They shared the gospel.
How can we share the gospel at home? With the world?
and on Foreign fields?
SERMON BY ROBERT TONEY, TH.D
BOSTIC, NC--USA
Site created by Tom Walker