Pastor Stuart’s sermon series from the Book of Acts.
What draws us together as the people of God? As Pastor Stuart worked on that idea, he turned to the Book of Acts and the ways in which they gathered together at various stages. What did these gatherings mean for the Church and for the world around them?
The Ideal for our Gathering
Acts 2:42-47The Fellowship of Believers
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and
to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer,
Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs
were done by the apostles.
-Acts 2:42-43
Gathered to Speak with Boldness
Acts 4:23-31The Believers' Prayer
On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer.
– Acts 4:23-31
Gathered to Obey God
Acts 5:17-42The Apostles Persecuted
Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than men! The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead — whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
– Acts 5:29-32
Gathered to Serve
Acts 6:1-7The Choosing of the Seven
So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. …”
-Acts 6:1-7
Gathered to Grow
Acts 11:1-18Peter Explains His Actions
When (the apostles and brothers throughout Judea) they heard this, they had no further objections and praise God, saying, “So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life.”
-Acts 11:18
Gathered to Discern
Acts 15:1-35The Council at Jerusalem
When they finished, James spoke up: “Brothers, listen to me. Simon has described to us how God at first showed his concern by taking from the Gentiles a people for himself. The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written:
“‘After this I will return and rebuild David’s fallen tent. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it, that the remnant of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who bear my name, says the Lord, who does these things’ that have been know for ages.”
Gathered to Fill with Joy
Acts 16:16-34Paul and Silas in Prison
The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be save?”
They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved – you and your household.”