Let the Church Say Amen

Let the Church Say Amen!

Main Text: Acts 2:42-47

Acts 2:42-47 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Intro:

We have talked about how the early church was a place where they were devoted to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, and they were generous (distributing to all those in need). Today we want to highlight the fact that they were a worshipping church.

The early church was a worshipping church.

I. The Advancement of Worship

v.46 Day by day they attended the temple together and breaking bread in their homes.

A. "Day by day": Going day-by-day should remind us that worshipping God should be a daily occurrence.

• Our strongest relationships are the ones that we are involved with on a daily basis. My wife and I talk on a daily basis. Enduring relationships flourish through daily communication. Even before we were married we talked often. We talked so much my phone used to get warm. I had my 'lil Motorola razor. She was fancy she had her blackberry.
• If you are in a relationship and they call you once a week or you only hear from them twice a month. You are not number one. Or if you only receive the late-night text that says "u up?" you are not in a relationship.

In a relationship there is frequent interaction. The early church was consistently at the temple. – In Acts 3, we see that Peter and John went to the church for prayer, and they were teaching on Solomon's porch.

• There is an indication that a shift is happening in worship in the church

v.46 attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes

• There are two locations where the church is gathering.

Progressive Revelation

In Christianity, there is a concept called Progressive revelation which states that God has revealed himself to humanity in stages over time. These revelations include God's plan for salvation, his teachings, and his power is revealed progressively in scripture. This progression happens corporately, and it applies to people individually. But God's revelations are built on each other, but they do not contradict or deny what came before.

• For example, Jesus would say, you have heard it said thou shall not murder, and whoever murders will be liable to judgment, but I say to you everyone angry with his brother will be liable to judgment. The teaching on interpersonal relationships progressed.

We see the progression in God's power:

• Moses stands outside the Red Sea and lifts his staff in his hands and God parts the Sea for millions of people to cross (Big God Big things) and He can take care of those who seek to harm you,
• Joshua takes up the ark to Cross the Jordan, but they have to go in the Jordan (God will deliver, but sometimes you have to keep walking you may get wet, but God is with you and will make a way.
• Elijah struck the Jordan river with his cloak and the Jordan river parted (God not only moves for the masses, but he can make a way if it's just two of us, he's the God of my little family, takes care of big things and little things)
• Elisha was by himself after Elijah was taken away, and he struck the water and it rolled back again (God is not a respecter of persons if God can do it for somebody else he can do it for you too, God can change your capacity in minutes, to the faithful God can give you double portion)
• NT we see Jesus walking on top of the water (even if it doesn't part, Jesus can walk on top of the water and anyone that keeps their eyes on me can walk on the water too).

An Advancement in Worship

In this text, we see another type of progression this is an advancement in Worship.

• The temple in Jerusalem represented the latest place for the presence of God.
• God has always created a place and space for the people of God to meet with him.
• God has been developing and maintaining his relationship with mankind for a long time.

i. In Genesis 2:8 we see that in God's creation, he created a garden in Eden and God would meet with him there in the cool of the day.

ii. Next there were altars, Noah built altar to say thank for bringing me through the flood, Abraham, Isaac, remember the covenant God made and Jacob worshipped and wrestled at an altar. A place to connect to God a place when you spend time with God. A place to thank God

iii. In Exodus, God gives Moses a plan on How to build the tabernacle, which was a specialized place for God to meet with his people. It was patterned after Heavens throne, It would be a place of sacrifice and prayer. And the shekinah glory of God would rest on the place and people would know that their God was with them. Numbers tells us the Tabernacle was to be placed in the center of the tribes to remind us that God is to be the center of all we do. Center of relationships our occupation and lifestyle. When the cloud moved the people would move, showing us that our God moves and when he moves we have to move. When he tells you to stay, you stay right there. My presence will meet you right there. (Brother others are making moves at work, but God keeps putting in position of decision makers) you stay in his presence, you follow his lead. When moved in the land of Moab he showed he was God and king of Moab (Balaam tried to curse them and said he couldn't curse what God has blessed), when he, moved through Ammon he was God and King of Bashan and Og came out to fight and Isreal prevailed. Reminding us that the earth is the Lord's.

iv. And when the people moved into Caanan and David had set up a king and a capital in Jerusalem and God had given them rest. Solomon built him a temple. And the glory cloud of God filled the temple. The priests were not able to stand under the weight of the glory, and they were on their face before a holy God.

v. During the time of Nebuchadnezzar, when the people of God were kicked out of Judah and deported to Babylon Ezekiel saw a vision of the presence of God leaving the temple in Jerusalem. Where did it go? It came to Babylon because the people of God were in Babylon. The presence of God is where the people of God. And Solomon's temple was destroyed. But the presence of God was with his people.

vi. When Cyrus of Persia sent the people back to Jerusalem he said rebuild your temple and serve your God. Even the heathen understands that Jehovah your God is the King of king and the Lord of Lord.

vii. They rebuilt the temple and the people started to cry and say that building doesn't look like as beautiful as Solomons's temple, with the Gold and the Sometimes we look at our lives and say I which it could go back to the way it was, my life used to be easier, now I have been through some stuff, I'm not as polished as a was, life has given me scars, I have had heartache and pain, this looks different now, but the spirit of the Lord came upon Haggai 2:9 the latter glory of this house shall be greater former says the Lord of hosts, And in this place I will give peace. The best is yet to come.

viii. As the Old Testament closes they are waiting in anticipation the Messiah and Jesus shows up on the scene. John says and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Dwelt is the same word as tabernacled. Once again God is among his people. The same way God showed up in the Old, Jesus is there in the Gospels.

ix. But Jesus is adjusting the relationship with the temple, Jesus said John 2:19 destroy this temple I will raise it in three days, they said it took 46 years to build this temple, Jesus was talking about his body. He would be killed, but in three days he would rise again.

x. Just as they were getting used the standing in the presence of God. Then Jesus said I have to go, but I will not leave you comfortless, I will send you another comforter. When he says another its not another which is something different, it's another of the same kind. I am God I flesh, I am sending you God in Spirit, its same God. When he comes upon you, he will lead you into all truth. He will bear witness of Me. He will help you think right, he will help you talk right, he will help you walk right and you will live right, you can pray right, and praise right.

xi. Then the Holy Spirit came and indwelled the people of God

1 Cor. 6:19-20 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Now the Temple of God is the People of God.

2 Cor. 6:16-18 What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, "I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty."

The Church was in transition so they knew they needed communion with God everyday, but they also felt the Spirit and presence of God with them in their homes. We understand it now. I can experience the worship of God daily even if I am not at the temple because the spirit of God is in me.

Wanna know what happened to the temple. It was burned to the ground by the Romans in 70AD. Only the western wall (wailing wall) of the temple mount is left. Now a Muslim mosque called the dome of the Rock sits where the Temple was. (See Picture of Temple and Wailing wall). So we are the temple where the Spirit of the Lord Dwells.

When you know you are the Temple. It changes where you Go, it changes what you put in your temple. Changes what you listen too, it changes who your connect with in one flesh. It also should affect our attitudes. God reminds us that we are to glorify God in our Bodies.

II. The Attitude of Worship

v.46 they received their food with glad and generous hearts "Glad and Generous Hearts"

A. Glad is the word for intense Joy

• Gladness and Generosity are heart conditions
• The believer should be a joyful person. Happiness is a feeling but Joy is a fruit.

Gal 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

These are the characteristics of the people of God.

• This joy that I have the world didn't give it to me, and the world can't take it away.

Psalm 30:11 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness,

Psalm 33:21 For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name.

Psalm 34:2 My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad.

Jeremiah 9:23-24 Thus says the LORD: "Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD

Psalm 40:9-11 I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation; behold, I have not restrained my lips, as you know, O LORD. I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart; I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great congregation. As for you, O LORD, you will not restrain your mercy from me; your steadfast love and your faithfulness will ever preserve me!

B. Generous Hearts

• Here the word means sincerity, or simplicity. A generous person shares in sincerity. They genuinely want to affect the situation. They are not generous in order to get. They are not generous to be seen as generous. At a heart level they live to Give.
• My grandma was like that, if she had it you got it "Go fix your plate" – Smothered liver, yellow rice and black-eyed peas.
• They receive with a generous, simplicity heart. How you do that? I receive, but I keep my hand open to give. When I realize its not mine I am just a steward for a limited time.

2 Cor 9:10-11 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.

Acts 10:2 There was a gentile named Cornelius, he wasn't a Jew. But he feared God, he was generous to the poor and he prayed, and God gave him a vision and he was terrified and God said, "your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before the Lord" Go get Peter and Simon Peter came and preached Jesus and while he was still speaking the Spirit of God fell on the Gentiles and the Gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out on them.

When you are generous you are acting like God.

God is generous with his Wisdom:

James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

– I got it and I can give it

God is generous with his Forgiveness:

Col 3:13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

– I am going to give it to you, but I need you to be generous with it to other.

God is generous with His Mercies:

Lam 3:22-23 The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

III. The Actions of Worship

What is worship: Expression of a Reverence and Adoration of God.

Worship is an English or Saxon word meaning. Worthiness or worthship.

v.47 Praising God

– Present active – meaning we are to constantly be a praising God.

• Praise means: to cheer, extol, or brag on, tell the things you admire.
• Hebrew word means "to eulogize"

Psalm 100:4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!

Hebrews 13:15 Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.

Eph 5:18-21 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Psalm 145

Psalm 145 - A SONG OF PRAISE. OF DAVID.
I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever.
Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever.
Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.
One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.
On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.
They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds, and I will declare your greatness.
They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.
The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
The LORD is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made.
All your works shall give thanks to you, O LORD, and all your saints shall bless you!
They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom and tell of your power,
to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations.
[The LORD is faithful in all his words and kind in all his works.]
The LORD upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down.
The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season.
You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing.
The LORD is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works.
The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them.
The LORD preserves all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.
My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD, and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever.

Building a Throne for God

When you praise God, you are building a throne for Him. Psalm 22:3 says "Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel." God comes and rests in the praises of his people. See when you praise God it sounds like heaven. In heaven the angels shout holy, Holy, they sing worthy is the lamb to receive glory and honor dominion and power. When our earthly temples sound like the heavenly one God manifests his presence in our life. And one of the blessings of his presence is favor with the people.

Discussion Questions

1. The early church worshipped "day by day." How does your daily relationship with God compare to your relationship with people you talk to every day?
2. The message traces God's presence from the Garden of Eden to the Temple to believers today. How does understanding that you are the temple of God change what you do with your body?
3. The concept of "progressive revelation" shows how God reveals Himself in stages. What has God recently revealed to you about Himself or His ways that builds on what you already knew?
4. The examples of Moses, Joshua, Elijah, Elisha, and Jesus show God's power progressing through history. Which of these examples most encourages you in your current situation?
5. The tabernacle was placed in the center of Israel's camp to show God should be central to everything. What is currently at the center of your life, and does it need to change?
6. The passage describes believers having "glad and generous hearts." Would those who know you best describe you as joyful and generous? Why or why not?
7. The message explains that generosity means sharing with sincerity, not to get something in return. When was the last time you gave generously without expecting anything back?
8. God is described as generous with wisdom, forgiveness, and mercy. Which of these do you need to receive from God, and which do you need to give to others?
9. Psalm 145 is entirely about praising God for who He is and what He does. Which attribute or action of God in this Psalm resonates most with you today?
10. The message states that when we praise God, we build a throne for Him and sound like heaven. How can you make your life sound more like heaven through worship and praise?

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