And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need. (Acts 4:33-35).
As a result of what God was doing through the church, hundreds and thousands were being added to their number.
Is such a church possible in today's world? I would give anything to see such a church in my life time.
And I think that's the key. It's not that we are preaching a different Jesus than the Jesus of the Book of Acts. I think it's because we don't believe in Jesus the same way that the first Christians did. They were moved to give and believe because of all the things that God was doing through the first Christians. They were witnessing the power of God on a regular basis.
Do we believe that God can do the same things today? We have made Jesus so safe.
When the first Christians prayed for God to act, they actually believed that God would do what God promised.
That's the biggest difference between our churches today and the church of the Book of Acts. We might give lip service to prayer and to what God can do, but do we actually believe God can change hearts, bring healing, restore broken relationships when we pray?
I am so tired of the status quo church. I want to be a part of what God is doing. I believe that God of 2007 is the same God of the Book of Acts. I will lead and preach with conviction and passion. And I believe God will do what God promised.
Lord, I want to see your kingdom established here on earth as it is heaven.
I want to see the Kingdom of Light destroy the kingdom darkness.
I want to see people get saved.
I want to see lives transformed.
I want to see people get healed.
I want to see YOU!
2 comments:
Just wanted to let you in on a little secret...lives ARE being transformed! people ARE being healed! And I'm speaking from personal experience.
Thank you so much for doing what you do. Whether you see it daily or not, you are a part of God's amazing work. Thru your sermons and messages here, you present God's truth in such a powerful and yet simple way, it actually does seem possible and real for this type of church to exist today.
Thank you!! And praise God!
Thank you for your kind words of encouragement. I am truly thankful to God for allowing me to be a pastor at TPC. I am surrounded by people who are unwilling to accept the status quo, by a people who want to see God at work in their lives.
May God continue to bless His ministry at TPC and may the hundreds and thousands who do not know the joy of living for Christ come to saving faith through our service to Him.
Thanks!
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