September 1, 2017

“A Holy Magnetism”

Over the past three weeks, I’ve been asking the same question at the start of my messages – Are you living the life Jesus died for you to live? That question has prompted me to examine my walk with Christ at a deeper level than usual. This coming Sunday, I want to ask the same question but on a corporate basis – Are we the church Jesus died for us to be?  My imagination has been recently captured by Acts 2:41 as it relates to the kind of church Jesus died for us to be.  Acts 2:41 reads, “Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all.” That verse tells me the early church was “magnetic.”   My dictionary defines “magnetic” as “possessing an extraordinary power or ability to attract.”  The Holy Spirit was that supernatural power that enabled the early church to attract and connect thousands of disconnected people with the One, True, and Living God. I believe that’s the kind of church Jesus died for us to be. As you prepare for Sunday worship, please read our focal text, Acts 2:45-47, where we’ll discover seven marks of a magnetic church. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need.  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 —  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. I look forward to seeing you Sunday morning, pastor jamie