The Practices of Faith
Sermon Recording
Sermon Outline
Speaker: Rev. Scott Strickman
Sermon Series: Faith, Hope & Love
Acts 2:37-47 (ESV)
37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” 40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Sermon Outline
The Holy Spirit brings us into a new community where those who believe (v44) adapt new practices to ground, grow and express their faith.
1. Joining the New Community
those who received the word (v41): "repent… be baptized… receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (v38)
2. Growing with the New Community
devotion to (v42): the apostle’s teaching; fellowship; breaking of bread; the prayers
v47 “having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number”
FWPSM: fellowship, word, prayer, sacraments, mission
Questions for Reflection
Do you see the need for Jesus as being more like a driver who is lost and needs directions, or as a hiker who is sliding down a steep hill towards a cliff? What informs your view? What are the implications of your view?
How is the church an alternate community within any society? In what ways is the church distinct (or should the church be distinct)?
What challenges are there to joining with God’s people (becoming a member of the church)? What is appealing, what is unappealing? What sacrifices need to be made?
How is the Holy Spirit a gift to you?
How does the Holy Spirit give you gifts to empower you to serve others? What specific gifts do you have or desire to cultivate? Are you using your gifts to serve within the church?
Which of the ordinary practices of the church (FWPSM) are easiest or most obvious for you? Which do you struggle most with Where do you need to grow, and in what ways? [FWPSM = Fellowship, Word, Prayer, Sacraments, Mission]
Acts 2 presents an idyllic moment where a community is filled with joy and generosity as they worship God. What is a realistic expectation for the nature of church life? What is too ambitious? How can a church know when it is compromised and lacking vibrancy?
How can you help Emmanuel be a more spiritually vibrant church?
Prayer of Confession
O Lord, our God, we barely grasp the danger of straying from you. We have not been diligent in cultivating the practices of faith. We are prone to withdrawing because of the frustrations that come whenever we engage with real community, whether the cause is others, or our inability to deal with others. We have neglected the gift of the Holy Spirit. Instead of living by faith, we have acted out of our natural desires. Forgive our unbelief. Revive us. Revive our church. Amen.