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📝 = Fill in the Blank
If you’ve ever taken the time to read the book of Acts or even if you ever just heard anything about the book of ACTS, you’ll quickly notice that the book of Acts is known for the 1st churches power. The first church is known for it’s actions, and for its movement. This is why this book is titled ACTS, it’s all about the mighty Acts of God THROUGH His people. I challenge you, I encourage you to start reading or listening to the book of Acts this week. I promise you that it’ll change your life.
Two chapters into Acts, and you’ll quickly sense that these people are different. You can’t help but to desire what they had, and to experience what they experienced.
“On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place.”
Acts 2:1
“Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting.”
Acts 2:2
“Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them.”
Acts 2:3
“And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.”
Acts 2:4
This was the blessed promise being fulfilled that Jesus spoke about in Acts 1:4-5,
“And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.””
Acts 1:4-5
What was it about the first church that made them move in such power?
What was it about God’s first church that positioned them to experience what they experienced?
I believe an easily overlooked detail was there driving force. Acts 2:42 says,
“All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.”
Acts 2:42
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”
Acts 2:42
I want to speak to you today from this subject…
DON’T FORGET THE TABLE
📝 In order to have what the first church had, WE MUST DO what the first church did.
I believe if the leaders of the first church were hear today they would throw a lot of our strategies away, and ask why are we complicating things? I believe that they would look us in the eye and say….
DON’T FORGET THE TABLE
Let’s look at it again, Acts 2:42,
“All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.”
Acts 2:42
I must ask you in this moment….
WHAT’S KEEPING YOU FROM THE TABLE?
"All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to FELLOWSHIP…”
Acts 2:42
📝 It’s at the table where we get to KNOW EACH OTHER.
As we’ll soon see….
It all happens at the table.
Nothing is off limits at the table.
📝 Am I allowing BUSYNESS to keep me from the table?
📝 I will not allow LIFE to REMOVE me from the table.
📝 Am I allowing GUILT and SHAME to remove me from the table?
📝 "All the believers were together and had EVERYTHING in common.”
Acts 2:44
📝 It’s at the table where we find out we’re really not all that DIFFERENT.
“(Saul’s son Jonathan had a son named Mephibosheth, who was crippled as a child. He was five years old when the report came from Jezreel that Saul and Jonathan had been killed in battle. When the child’s nurse heard the news, she picked him up and fled. But as she hurried away, SHE DROPPED HIM, and he became crippled.)”
2 Samuel 4:4
“And Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, because HE ALWAYS ATE AT THE KING’S TABLE; HE WAS LAME IN BOTH FEET.”
2 Samuel 9:13
📝 We’re all Mephibosheth’s at the King’s table, COVERED by the table cloth of GRACE.
📝 It’s the enemies PLAN to remove me from the table.
He doesn’t want you to know that we really have EVERYTHING in common, and that we’re really not that different.
“Be alert and of sober mind. YOUR ENEMY the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
1 Peter 5:8
He’s looking for someone to devour, He’s looking for someone that’s feeling shame and guilt that he can remove from the table.
“Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is GOING THROUGH THE SAME KIND of suffering you are.”
1 Peter 5:9
I’m going to show you another reason why the enemy doesn’t want you at the table. Acts 2:4 says,
“And EVERYONE PRESENT WAS FILLED with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.”
Acts 2:4
📝 There’s a FILLING that takes place when you’re PRESENT.
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to PRAYER.”
Acts 2:42
📝 It’s at the table where we hear the PRAYER REQUEST.
“All the believers were together and had everything in common.”
Acts 2:44
📝 “They sold property and possessions to GIVE to ANYONE who had need.”
Acts 2:45
📝 It’s at the the table where we learn of the PRACTICAL NEEDS of each other.
📝 If the enemy can’t remove you from the table he’ll do all that he can to SILENCE you while at the table.
Look around church….
📝 Who’s MISSING from the table?
I say to you today what the enemy doesn’t want you to hear….
YOU’RE MISSED AT THE TABLE.
📝 I’m MISSED at the table.
📝 My PRESENCE does make a difference.
Don’t Forget The Table.
It all happens at the table.
Nothing is off limits at the table.
“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with ONE ACCORD in ONE PLACE. And suddenly THERE CAME A SOUND from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it FIILED all the house where they were sitting.”
Acts 2:1-2
📝 Before the sound came from HEAVEN, there was first the sound of UNITY.
“How good and pleasant it is when GOD’S PEOPLE live together in UNITY!”
Psalms 133:1
Even the Lord Himself had this to say about unity….
The LORD said, “If as ONE PEOPLE SPEAKING THE SAME LANGUAGE they have begun to do this, then NOTHING THEY PLAN TO DO WILL BE IMPOSSIBLE FOR THEM. Genesis 11:6
Because they were on one accord. Because they were walking in unity, and now filled with the precious Holy Spirit, the end result was Acts 2:42,
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.”
Acts 2:42-43
“All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.”
Acts 2:44-45
“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, PRAISING GOD and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”
Acts 2:46-47
WHAT’S KEEPING YOU FROM THE TABLE?
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