Continuing Stedfastly

TEXT:  Acts 2:42

INTRODUCTION:

A.      LIFE AFTER BAPTISM - ONLY THE BEGINNING.

B.      MUST CONTINUE( John 8:31;  Acts 11:26 ).

          1.       Who is a real Christian?

          2.       Not those who call themselves Christian or have their name on the roll.

C.      WE MUST CONTINUE STEDFASTLY( Matt. 10:22 ), EVEN IF WE DIE.

D.      CONTINUE STEDFASTLY IN WHAT?

I.      THE APOSTLE'S TEACHING.

A.      WHAT DID THE APOSTLE'S TEACH?( Matt. 28:19-20;  Luke 10:16 ).

B.      A WAY OF LIFE IS INVOLVED( Titus 2:11-12;  Col. 3:9-10;  2 Cor. 5:17 ).

C.      A DOCTRINE( Gal. 1:6-9;  1 John 4:1, 6 ).

II.     FELLOWSHIP.

A.      koinonia, "JOINT PARTICIPATION, COMMUNION OR ASSOCIATION,

          CONTRIBUTION IN AID."

B.      LET'S LOOK AT THESE THREE USES IN SCRIPTURE.

          1.       Joint participation( Rom. 12:4-8;  Eph. 4:15-16 ).

                   a.       Ex. 17:8-13.  Aaron and Hur hold up Moses' hands.

                   b.       Phil. 1:3-6.  Philippian church's support of Paul.

          2.       Communion or association( Rom. 12:9-16 ).

                   a.       1 Cor. 15:33.  Be not deceived.

                   b.       2 Cor. 6:14-15.  An unequal yoke.( 1 Pet. 4:3-4 ).

                   c.       Prefer one another.  If evil companionships corrupt ...?

          3.       2 Cor. 9:13.  Liberality of your contribution.   Sincerity of your fellowship.

III.    BREAKING OF BREAD.

A.      JESUS INSTITUTED HIS SUPPER( Matt. 26:26-28 ).

B.      IT'S PURPOSE IS THREE-FOLD:

          1.       A memorial( 1 Cor. 11:23-25 ).

          2.       A proclamation( vs. 26 ).

          3.       A means of spiritual nourishment( 1 Cor. 10:16-17 ).

C.      INTENDED FOR THE FIRST DAY OF EVERY WEEK( Acts 20:7 ).

IV.   PRAYER( 1 Thess. 5:17 ).

A.      PRAYER IS THE PRIVILEGE OF GOD'S CHILD( Matt. 7:7-11 ).

B.      BUT WE MUST BE WILLING TO HEAR GOD( Psa. 66:18;  Prov. 28:9 ).

C.      THERE IS POWER IN PRAYER( James 5:16-18 ).

          1.       If we ask in faith( James 1:6-9 ).

          2.       If we ask according to his will( 1 John 5:14-15 ).

D.      Phil. 4:6-7.  WHERE CAN WE GO?

CONCLUSION:

A.      THE EXAMPLE OF THE TEXT - CONTINUE STEDFASTLY.

B.      1 Cor. 15:58;  Acts 2:42.