THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE
CHURCH I. TEXTUAL THOUGHTS 1. Acts1:8- Jesus gave the
order of the gospel preaching. 2. Isaiah 2:3- The law to go
forth from Jerusalem. 3. Matthew28:18-19- The great
commission. 4. Acts 8:1-5- Persecution
caused the gospel to spread. 5. Acts 11:1-21- The gospel
spreads to the gentiles. II. MAIN THEME- The church began at Jerusalem and grew strong through the apostles'
teaching and fellowship of the church.
Persecution caused Christians to scatter from Jerusalem and spread the
church into Judea and Samaria.
Finally the gospel went to the gentiles, and to all nations. 1. The church grew strong at
Jerusalem. a. The gospel
was preached daily, Acts 2:42-47, 4:20. b. Thousands were
added, Acts 2:41, 4:4, 5:14. c. The church
cared for the helpless, Acts2:44-45, 4:32-37, Galatians 2:10. 2. The church had problems. a. Ananias and
Sapphira tried to deceive, Acts 5:1-11. b. The
apostles were imprisoned, Acts5:17-29. c. Some Christians
murmured against other Christians, Acts 6:1. d. Stephen was
stoned, Acts 6:8-15, 7:51-60. e. There were
doctrinal problems, Acts 11:2-3, 15:1-11. 3. God used the problems to
cause the church to grow. a. The death
of Ananias and Sapphira caused healthy respect for God's power, Acts 5:11-14. b. Persecution
caused the church to spread, Acts 8:1-4. c. Murmuring
led to the appointment of seven servants, Acts 6:3-8. d. Doctrinal
problems led to the exaltation of God's grace, Acts 15:6-11. III. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS 1. The gospel was preached to
the whole world in the first century, and we have the opportunity to carry the gospel to all people in our
generation, Matthew 28:18-19, Colossians 1:6,23. 2. The church should accept
suffering as a way to grow. When problems come, look for opportunities to teach, 1 Pet 1:5-9, 13-15, James
1:2-4, Acts 14:19-22. 3. The word of God is the seed
that produces the church, and it is our role to preach the message, Romans 1:16, 10:14-15, 1 Peter 1:22-25. 4. The church should love and
respect the apostles teaching, Acts 2:42, Jude 3, Galatians 1:6-9. IV.
MEMORY VERSE - ACTS 2:42-47. |