Sunday Sermon
GOD'S RESPONSIBILITY! BUT WHAT ABOUT US?
Date: January 13, 2007
Speaker: Pastor Gerry Gregoire
Scriptural Reference: Acts 2:47
Listen to Audio Sermon

GOD’S RESPONSIBILITY! BUT WHAT ABOUT US?
ACTS 2:47
47Constantly praising God and being in favor and goodwill with all the people; and the Lord kept adding [to their number] daily those who were being saved [from spiritual death].
I WOULD LIKE YOU TO ZERO IN ON THE LAST PART OF THE VERSE WHERE IT SAYS THAT “THE LORD KEPT ADDING DAILY THOSE WHO WERE BEING SAVED.” DID YOU CATCH THE “ADDING DAILY” PART? THAT MEANS IF WE GET ONE PERSON ADDED EVERYDAY IN 2008 , AT THE END OF THE YEAR WE WOULD HAVE 366 NEW CHRISTIANS.
THE FACT THAT IT’S GOD THAT INCREASES THE CHURCH HAS TO BE INGRAINED INTO OUR SPIRITS. THAT HAS TO BECOME A REALITY TO ALL CHURCH MEMBERS. GOD MAKES THE WAVES, ALL WE CAN DO IS SURF, SO TO SPEAK.
LOOK AT 1 COR 3:6 –
6I planted, Apollos watered, but God [all the while] was making it grow and [He] gave the increase.
IT WAS NOT PAUL, IT WAS NOT APOLLOS BUT IT WAS GOD THAT GAVE THE INCREASE. NOW THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT PAUL, APOLLOS OR ANY OF THE APOSTLES WERE DOING NOTHING. IT SIMPLY MEANS THAT GOD DOES THE FINAL DEED OF BUILDING HIS CHURCH.

ACTS IS THE BOOK THAT LAYS DOWN THE GROUNDWORK OR PLAN THAT GOD HAS TO BUILD HIS CHURCH. IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US AND ALL OTHER CHURCHES TO KNOW WHAT WE NEED TO DO FOR HIM TO ADD TO THE CHURCH JUST LIKE HE DID IN THE BEGINNING. THE CHURCH IS THE BODY OF CHRIST AND HE DETERMINES WHO BECOMES PART AND WHAT PART THEY WILL PLAY IN HIS BODY.

A LARGE PART OF THE RECIPE IS LOCATED IN ACTS CHAPTER 2. I BELIEVE GOD’S WANT TO SHOW US TODAY WHAT WE NEED TO BE DOING IN 2008 SO THAT HE CAN ADD TO OUR NUMBERS. THAT IS, WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO TO GET INTO THE POSITION SO THAT HE CAN ADD?
IF WE DO WHAT GOD TELLS US IN HIS WORD, WE SHOULD NEVER HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT NUMBERS, THE NUMBERS WILL TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES.

IT’S NOT OUR DESIRE TO GROW BY RECEIVING MEMBERS FROM OTHER CHURCHES. MOST TIMES THEY ARE JUST SHOPPING FOR A CHURCH THAT FITS THEIR NEEDS AND NOT FOR WHAT GOD WANTS THEM TO DO IN ANY CHURCH. I BELIEVE THAT GOD WANTS US TO HAVE FRESH FISH, NEWLY BORN SHEEP. HE IS NOT INTO MOVING THE FISH FROM ONE AQUARIUM TO ANOTHER OR THE SHEEP FROM ONE SHEPHERD’S PASTURE TO ANOTHER SHEPHERD’S PASTURE.

I WANT TO MAKE IT VERY CLEAR THAT MAN CANNOT PRODUCE GROWTH. IF THAT IS THE CASE THAN, “WHAT ABOUT US?” HOW DO WE GET INVOLVED? I DON’T THINK THAT THE EARLY CHURCH WORRIED ABOUT NUMBERS, IT WAS NOT THEIR FOCUS. THEY SIMPLY OBEYED GOD AND ESTABLISHED THE ENVIRONMENT FOR GROWTH. WHEN THAT HAPPENS, IT’S THEN THAT GOD CAN INCREASE THEIR NUMBERS. SO WHAT DID THEY DO PASTOR? GOOD QUESTION, I’M GLAD YOU ASKED. TO FIND OUT LET’S GO TO ACTS 2:40-46 –
40And [Peter] solemnly and earnestly witnessed (testified) and admonished (exhorted) with much more continuous speaking and warned (reproved, advised, encouraged) them, saying, Be saved from this crooked (perverse, wicked, unjust) generation.
41Therefore those who accepted and welcomed his message were baptized, and there were added that day about 3,000 souls.
42And they steadfastly persevered, devoting themselves constantly to the instruction and fellowship of the apostles, to the breaking of bread [including the Lord's Supper] and prayers.
43And a sense of awe (reverential fear) came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were performed through the apostles (the special messengers).
44And all who believed (who adhered to and trusted in and relied on Jesus Christ) were united and [together] they had everything in common;
45And they sold their possessions (both their landed property and their movable goods) and distributed the price among all, according as any had need.
46And day after day they regularly assembled in the temple with united purpose, and in their homes they broke bread [including the Lord's Supper]. They partook of their food with gladness and simplicity and generous hearts,
VERSE 40 IS WHEN PETER WAS TOWARDS THE END OF PETER’S LENGTHILY SERMON. “MUCH MORE CONTINUOUS SPEAKING.” REMEMBER THE CROWD HAD GATHERED TO HEAR PETER BECAUSE OF WHAT HAPPENED IN VERSES 1-39.
THEIR EXPERIENCE WAS SO POWERFUL AND LOUD, (SEE VERSE 5-7, CHAPTER 2)
5Now there were then residing in Jerusalem Jews, devout and God-fearing men from every country under heaven.
6And when this sound was heard, the multitude came together and they were astonished and bewildered, because each one heard them [the apostles] speaking in his own [particular] dialect. 7And they were beside themselves with amazement, saying, Are not all these who are talking Galileans?
THEY HAD NOW A NEW BOLDNESS THAT WOULD MAKE THEM CRY OUT LOUD ENOUGH THAT THE WHOLE TOWN. HEARD. REMEMBER 3000 WERE SAVED LATER. WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT GOD WILL GIVE YOU A NEW BOLDNESS THAT WILL SHOCK EVEN YOU.

A CHURCH NEEDS BE EXCITED AND VOICE LOUD AND CLEAR THE WORKS OF GOD IN THEIR LIVES AND CHURCHES. NEVER BE ASHAMED TO SHOW EXCITEMENT ABOUT WHAT GOD IS DOING, THAT SAID, LET’S LOOK AT WHAT IS HAPPENING AFTER THEIR EXPERIENCE WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT.
ACTS 2:40 –
40And [Peter] solemnly and earnestly witnessed (testified) and admonished (exhorted) with much more continuous speaking and warned (reproved, advised, encouraged) them, saying, Be saved from this crooked (perverse, wicked, unjust) generation.

1ST IN VERSE 40 THEY WERE EVANGELIZING THROUGH PREACHING AND WITNESSING WITH TESTIMONIES. THEY WERE TOLD TO BE SAVED FROM THAT CROOKED AND WICKED AND PERVERSE GENERATION. WE CAN SAY PRETTY MUCH THE SAME ABOUT TODAY’S GENERATION. WHEN YOU TELL PEOPLE WHAT GOD IS DOING IN YOUR LIFE, IT IS A STRONG WITNESS THAT GOD CARES AND LOVES EVERYONE, AND HERE THEY ARE STANDING NEAR SOMEONE WHO GOD HAS PERSONALLY TOUCHED.

ACTS 2:41
41Therefore those who accepted and welcomed his message were baptized, and there were added that day about 3,000 souls.
2ND VERSE 41 (READ) SHOWS US THAT BEING OBEDIENT TO GOD PRODUCES RESULTS. PREACHING THEN LED TO WATER BAPTISM JUST AS THEY WERE TAUGHT. GOD LOVES OBEDIENCE AND ADDS 3000 TO THEIR NUMBERS. REMEMBER THERE WAS ONLY 120 FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST IN THE UPPER ROOM. OBEDIENCE BRINGS PHENOMENAL GROWTH.

ACTS 2:42 -
42And they steadfastly persevered, devoting themselves constantly to the instruction and fellowship of the apostles, to the breaking of bread [including the Lord's Supper] and prayers.
3RD VERSE 42 (READ) DISCIPLESHIP WAS HAPPENING AND PRODUCED A STEADFASTEDNESS, A PERSEVERANCE AND DEVOTION THAT WAS CONSTANT BECAUSE THEY WERE LISTENING TO THE LEADERS. THEY WERE WANTING TO GROW BY STUDYING, FELLOWSHIPPING AND PRAYER.

ACTS 2:43 –
43And a sense of awe (reverential fear) came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were performed through the apostles (the special messengers).

4TH THE MINISTRY OF GIFTS FLOWED PRODUCING REVERENTIAL FEAR. THAT’S A GOOD FEAR OF THE AWESOME GOD WE SERVE. THEY RESPECTED AND WHAT HE WAS DOING THROUGH HIS SERVANTS.

ACTS 2:44 –
44And all who believed (who adhered to and trusted in and relied on Jesus Christ) were united and [together] they had everything in common;
5TH THEY WERE UNITED BECAUSE OF THEIR RELIANCE ON CHRIST. THEY HAD EVERYTHING IN COMMON. THEY WERE NOT OFF DOING THEIR OWN THING.

ACTS 2:45 –
45And they sold their possessions (both their landed property and their movable goods) and distributed the price among all, according as any had need.
6TH THEIR MINISTRY WAS TO HELP EACH OTHER. THERE WAS NO SELFISHNESS AND EVERYONE SOLD THEIR POSSESSIONS FOR THE GOOD OF ALL BELIEVERS. YOU HAVE TO FEEL WHAT THEY WERE FEELING, PERSONAL STUFF DIDN’T MEAN A THING BECAUSE THEY UNDERSTOOD AND SAW WHAT WAS HAPPENING IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CHURCH.
BELIEVERS TODAY NEED TO HAVE THAT SAME ATTITUDE AND NOT BE ATTACHED TO MATERIALISTIC THINGS. BECAUSE PRETTY SOON THEY CAN POSSESS YOU.

ATS2:46 –
46And day after day they regularly assembled in the temple with united purpose, and in their homes they broke bread [including the Lord's Supper]. They partook of their food with gladness and simplicity and generous hearts,
7TH THEY REGULARLY ASSEMBLED WITH UNITED PURPOSE IN THE TEMPLE AND IN THE HOMES FOR FELLOWSHIP. THEY HAD SIMPLE AND GENEROUS HEARTS. WE DO EAT A LOT TOGETHER AND THAT IS GOOD AT TIMES. OTHERWISE MOST CHRISTIANS NEVER REALLY GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER IF THEY JUST MEET IN THE CHURCH ONCE A WEEK.

LET ME RESTATE WHAT RICK WARREN SAID IN THE PURPOSE CHURCH:
CHURCHES GROW WARMER THROUGH FELLOWSHIP.
CHURCHES GROW DEEPER THROUGH DISCIPLESHIP.
CHURCHES GROW STRONGER THROUGH WORSHIP.
CHURCHES GROW BROADER THROUGH MINISTRY.
CHURCHES GROW LARGER THROUGH EVANGELISM.

ACTS 2:47 — WAS THE END RESULT OF THE CHURCH BEING OBEDIENT AND PREPARING HERSELF. LOOKWHAT HAPPENED
47Constantly praising God and being in favor and goodwill with all the people; and the Lord kept adding [to their number] daily those who were being saved [from spiritual death]
WOW, CONSTANTLY PRAISING GOD. CAN WE GET THERE? THEN COMES THE FAVOR AND GOODWILL WITH THE PEOPLE.
I BELIEVE TO EXPERIENCE CHURCH GROWTH IN 2008 WE NEED TO FOLLOW THE PATTERN OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE EARLY CHURCH. OF COURSE WE ALSO NEED TO BE LED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT. IF WE DO THIS WE WILL SEE HEALTHY CHURCH GROWTH AS GOD ADDS TO OUR CHURCH THOSE THAT WOULD BE SAVED.

JESUS IS THE FOUNDATION OF THE CHURCH. WE ALSO ARE PART OF THE FOUNDATION IF HE LIVES IN US. THE CONDITION OF THE FOUNDATION WILL DETERMINE THE SIZE OF THE BUILDING. HOW OBEDIENT AND STRONG EACH OF US IS THIS YEAR WILL DETERMINE HOW BIG WE GET. IF YOU BELIEVE THAT THE LORD SENT YOU TO JTRF AND THIS IS WHERE YOU BELONG, YOU NEED TO BE READY TO INVEST YOUR TIME AND FINANCES IN WHAT GOD IS DOING HERE.