New Day Christian Church - Weston, WI

Called to Follow

Jesus issues a call to all his disciples…”Come and Follow”.  But what exactly does that mean? This morning we’ll look at how Jesus called His first followers and see what lessons are there for us.

Acts 5: The Church Has Left the Building

Acts 5:12 (NLT) 12  The apostles were performing many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers were meeting regularly at the Temple in the area known as Solomon’s Colonnade.

Matthew 5:14-16 (NLT) 14  “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15  No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16  In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

Acts 5: Dropped Dead

2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (NLT) 6  Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. 7  You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” 8  And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.

OPTION 1: If you are giving nothing, make a plan to give SOMETHING.

OPTION 2: If you are giving something from your LEFTOVERS, make a plan to set a PERCENTAGE of your income.

OPTION 3: If you are giving a PERCENTAGE of your income, make a plan to increase that PERCENTAGE.

SOW generously.

GIVE cheerfully.

GAIN what only God can provide.

Acts 4.5: Does the Bible Teach Capitalism or Socialism?

The short answer is “no”; the Bible does not teach either Capitalism or Socialism.

Government overthrow was not the goal of Jesus. His goal was to overthrow Satan Himself, the tempter who opened the door for human greed to corrupt creation

 

Reference: Differences Between Capitalism and Socialism

 https://www.thebalancesmb.com/thmb/UCnc_7JxnroFQHQjKyGXcClZVtM=/950x0/filters:format(webp)/the-characteristics-of-capitalism-and-socialism-393509-v2-5bf45d014cedfd0026257a35.png

Acts 4: Civil Disobedience

Acts 4:18-20 (NLT) 18  So they called the apostles back in and commanded them never again to speak or teach in the name of Jesus. 19  But Peter and John replied, “Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him? 20  We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard.” 

Acts 4:29-30 (NLT) 29  “And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. 30  Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

Acts 3: Refreshment

Acts 3:19-21 (NLT) 19  Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away. 20  Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and he will again send you Jesus, your appointed Messiah. 21  For he must remain in heaven until the time for the final restoration of all things, as God promised long ago through his holy prophets.  

The Progression:

• First, RePENTANCE
• Then, ReFRESHMENT
• Finally, ReSTORATION

Take Time to be Holy: Pastor Jass

I. Experience The Cleansing Of His Presence.

   a. vs. 1-5, John 14:6

II. Experience The Cleansing Of His Blood.

   a. vs. 5-7, Psalm 51:10

III. Experience The Cleansing Of His Word.

   a. vs. 8-10, Ephesians 5:25-26

Take a Spiritual bath often, especially when you desire to enter into God’s Presence.

Acts: Lighting the Fire

In Acts 2 we see God lighting a fire that He perfectly prepared and organized to accomplish His will. The fire is the Church, and it changed the course of history.

Acts 2:1-3 (NLT) 1  On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. 2  Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. 3  Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them.  

Acts 2:43-47 (NLT) 43  A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44  And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45  They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46  They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity— 47  all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

Acts, the Good News Spreading through the World

Two thousand years ago, a small group of average people without special degrees were given the task of saving the world. Not only is this an amazing story in the history, it is the beginning of our story, which will continue until Christ comes again.

2 Corinthians 2:14-16 (NLT) 14  But thank God! He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ’s triumphal procession. Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume. 15  Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. 16  To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this?

Acts 1:8 (NLT)  “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

What is our Why?

What is the point of church? Why are we involved in planting more churches and sharing Jesus in our community? Why are we sending missionaries across the street and around the world? Pastor Aaron will bring fresh perspectives from a short trip he took to see a church planting movement in the Dominican Republic.

1 John 4:19 (NLT)  We love each other because he loved us first.

Romans 5:8 (NLT)  But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

Matthew 22:35-40 (NLT) 35  One of them, an expert in religious law, tried to trap him with this question: 36  “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?” 37  Jesus replied, “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38  This is the first and greatest commandment. 39  A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40  The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”