Continuing Steadfastly After Encounter- (Acts 2:41-47)

Adventure in the Ascent

“Revival is the visitation of God which brings to life Christians who have been sleeping and restores a deep sense of God’s near presence and holiness. Thence springs a vivid sense of sin and a profound exercise of heart in repentance, praise, and love, with an evangelistic outflow.” -J.I. Packer

“As long as we are content to live without revival, we will.” -Leonard Ravenhill

A special thank you to everyone who attended, invited, and helped with Fall Renewal! What an incredible time in His Presence! As we go forward from there, what is it to look like, how to respond, move forward? We do so in steadfast devotion…

↠After the Upper Room encounter, these questions had to be asked, what now?

↠We see the first, detailed description of early Christians (vs. 41-47)

↠They “devoted themselves/continued steadfastly” (not casually) to/in…

↠The apostles teaching/doctrine/The Word

↠O. T. teaching coupled with Jesus’ teaching- God’s Word

↠They were devoted in growth, to know more of Him

↠One evidence of true conversion is a deep seeded desire to know Him more (Matt. 4:4). Are we steadfastly committed/devoted to His Word, to growing in it, to coming to hear His Word be taught, to applying it to our lives? (2 Tim. 3:16-17, Col. 3:16, Heb. 4:12)

↠And in devoting to this Word of our God, there is to be no departure from it, because in it we finally encounter the real truth.

↠Fellowship/Unity in the Spirit (close association, partnership, a society)

↠This type is only brought about by and through Holy Spirit by a common bond-new life in Jesus!

↠In hostile environments then & now, we must be in fellowship

↠Must devote ourselves to being around people who talk & walk in His Word, who spur us on & help fan the flame not blow the flame out. Where confession & real talk take place (James 5:16, Rom. 12)

↠Breaking of bread (The Lord’s Supper)

↠Memorial meal Jesus taught us in order to remember Him

↠Never forget, never let yourself get too far from what He did for us.

↠Prayer(s) (in the context of worship and communication with God)

↠Encompasses various forms of prayer, including supplication, intercession, thanksgiving, and adoration, word is often used to describe the act of praying to God, emphasizing a personal and communal relationship with Him (Heb. 4:16, 1 Thess. 5:16)

↠A devoted pattern of continual, daily interaction

↠Fear (awe/reverence) & signs and wonders (v. 43)

↠In devotion, when God is moving, at work, when His word is molding and shaping us, there will be a reverent holy fear. This isn’t a scary thing, this is an honor thing. Fear is not terror, but it is awe. Be soberly aware.

↠In steadfast devotion, power follows (signs/wonders)!

↠In our lives, there should be and will be evidence of the power of God, the result of devotion is an atmosphere of Heaven (Acts 14:3)

↠How steadfastly devoted believers do life together with Him at center (vs. 44-47)

↠Holy Spirit led response to the needs of other believers (in common)

↠When we see a need in the body (local/global), we respond

↠Continuing daily in the “temple,” learning, growing, eating together with praise on their lips

↠Their Christian experience was daily, joyful and simple (a model for us)

↠The results of a body of Christians steadfastly devoted: Favor with people

and “the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” (v. 47)