Practice: Multiply 9.3 - May 16, 2010

Practice #9 – Multiply
9.3 – Back to Basics

Acts 2:42-47 (NIV)
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. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Everyone likes the idea of being a part of a movement of God. Few are willing to do what it takes.

What did the early church have that we need to key in on?
1. They were devoted to the right things
“They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer…”

What were the Values of the early church?
• Kingdom Minded (This brought about a sense of urgency)
• Others Centered (This caused them to live a generous lifestyle)
• Focused on Growth (Both personally and corporately)
• Serving God Gives Life (They sold out to God’s agenda)
• Reproducing Disciples who Disciple (Constantly meeting, praising God, and growing)

Genesis 11:5-6 (NIV)
But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower that the men were building. The LORD said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.”

2. The Apostles preached with power.
“Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles…”

Acts 4:32-33 (NIV)
All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all.
God intends for preaching to have power and affect:

Ephesians 4:11-13 (NIV)
It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

3. God Added to Their Number Daily
“…And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

1 Corinthians 3:5-8 (NIV)
What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but
God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor.

John 6:44 (NIV)
No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.