The Committed Life (6)

“Continuing Steadfastly … Results of Commitment”

Acts 2:42-47

Acts 2:42-47, And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. 46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

INTRODUCTION

The Bible revealed that the early church “continued steadfastly” in doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayers. 

Continued Steadfastly = To be earnest toward, persevere, be constantly diligent, to attend assiduously all the exercises, attend or give self… continually.

They were constantly diligent … regarding doctrine, koinonia, covenant living and prayer. 

The real power of their decision of commitment is seen by what followed. It should serve as motivation and incentive for us today. In addition, it should give us hope. Too many times, the only thing keeping us from mighty revival… personally and corporately … is commitment! 

Let’s consider what the choice of commitment facilitated…

I.         COMITTMENT AND … GODLY FEAR

(v. 43a, Then fear came upon every soul…)

            A.  Fear of God … on Every Soul.

1.  Fear. [alarm, terror, exceeding fear, dread]

2.  Fear of God...What is it? One of the most important spiritual concepts

     found throughout the Bible is the “fear of the Lord.” What is the “fear

     of the Lord?” What exactly does it mean?

a.  Fear the Lord. Deuteronomy 6:1-2 

b.  Fear the Lord…Pronounced Blessing. Psalm 112:1-3, 

     Psalm 115:13-14, Psalm 128:1-5

            B.   The Fear of God … Defined Blessings!

                        1.  Deep Spiritual Knowledge. Proverbs 1:7  

a.  Your understanding of scripture is directly related to your 

     understanding of your place before God.

                        2.  Divine Wisdom. Psalm 111:10, Job 28:28, Isaiah 33:6 

a.  When you live Godly fear, you will hold the key that unlocks

     the door to God’s wondrous riches of salvation, wisdom, and

     knowledge.

                        3.  Strength Against Sin. Exodus 20:20 

a.  The fear of the Lord will help you resist sin.

                        4.  Mercy. Luke 1:50

a.  All who desire God’s mercy for their sins must first fear Him.

     Without a reverent attitude toward heaven and a repentant

     heart, men have no hope after this life.

                        5.  Life. Proverbs 10:27, Proverbs 14:27, Proverbs 13:14

a.  Those who desire to live life to its richest measure can begin by

     fearing the Lord. 

                        6.  Protection For You and Your Children. Proverbs 14:26 

a.  Your entire household will benefit from your commitment to a

     humility based upon the “fear” of the Lord. 

7.  Friendship With God. Psalm 25 :14 

a.  Through a righteous and holy fear of the Lord, we can gain

     friendship with God and come to an intimate knowledge of His

     covenant with man. 

            B.  Fear of God … A Missing Ingredient.

1.  Desired Condition. Acts 9:31  

2.  Determined Command. Ecclesiastes 5:7, I Peter 5:17, Hebrews 12:28-

     29, Psalm 33:8  

3.  Declared Conclusion. Ecclesiastes 12:13, Proverbs 9:10 & 

     Psalm 111:10, Proverbs 1:7

II.        COMITTMENT AND … SIGNS AND WONDERS

(v. 43b, … and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.)

            A.  Signs and Wonders.

1.  Miraculous Signs.

a.  Harvest. Acts 4:4, Acts 5:14, Acts 8:37-38, Acts 9 (Saul), 

     Acts 11:19 & 21, Acts 16, Acts 17:34

b.  Healings. Acts 3:1, Acts 5:12, Acts 5:15-16, Acts 8:5-8, Acts 9:18 

c.  Holy Ghost Outpourings. Acts 8 (Samaria), Acts 10:46, Acts 19:6

d.  Help. Acts 5:19-20, Acts 7, Acts 9:25, Acts 12:6-10, 

      Acts 16 (Paul & Silas)

III.       COMITTMENT AND … STEWARDSHIP 

(vv. 44-45, Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common,

45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.)

            A.  The Spirit of Giving.

1.  All Things Common. Acts 4:34-37

a.  This was not a command…but a willingness to give. It could not

     be sustained because some would not work, and some were

     filled with pride. Acts 5:1-11

However, when holy commitment comes into the life of a person…they will be a giver, not just a taker.

IV.       COMITTMENT AND … UNITY

(v. 46a, So continuing daily with one accord in the temple…)

            A.  One Accord.

1.  Determined Unity.

a.  Unity and Continuing. [to be earnest toward, persevere, be

     constantly diligent, to attend assiduously all the exercises,

     attend or give self…continually…[Daily!]

b.  Unity and One Accord. [unanimously, with one mind]

c.  Unity and In the Temple…house to house! 

i.)  The phrase does not mean they were in their house or

even someone else’s house. It means wherever they were…became a house of God.

2.  Dynamic Unity. Psalm 133  

a.  Perception.

1)  Defined.

a)  Unity. [a unit, to be united]

b)  Good. [a good thing, to be in favor, 

      well- favored]

c)  Pleasant. [delightful, sweet, refreshing]

2)  Decided.

a)  Dwell. [to sit down, remain, stay]

b.  Price.

1)  Precious Oil. [best, bountiful, pleasant, prosperity,

      wealth]

c.  Pouring.

1)  On The Head. (Our High Priest…Jesus!)

2)  On The Body…As The Dew Of Hermon. II Samuel 17:12,

                   Hosea 14:5 

3)  Out of the Body. (John 7:37-39)

V.        COMITTMENT AND … JOY / SINCERITY OF HEART

(v. 46b…and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with

 gladness and simplicity of heart)

            A.  With Gladness.

1.  Gladness. [exceeding joy!]  Nehemiah 8:10, Isaiah 12:3,

Habakkuk 3:18, Psalm 30:5, John 16:24, Acts 13:52, Romans 14:17, Romans 15:13, I Peter 1:8

            B.  With Singleness of Heart.

1.  Singleness of Heart. [sincerity…not stubbing the foot on a stone, 

     a genuine walk]

VI.       COMITTMENT AND … PRAISE

(v. 47a, praising God and having favor with all the people…)

            A.  Praising God.

1.  Praising. Psalm 18:1-3, Psalm 34:1-3, Psalm 37:4, Psalm 40:1-3, 

     Psalm 46:1, Psalm 59:16, Psalm 98:1, Psalm 100, Psalm 103-1-3, 

     Psalm 150

            B.  Having Favor.

1.  Favor. [grace … Divine influence on the heart and its reflection in the

     life]

CONCLUSION

And Revival! Acts 2:47b, And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. The Lord Added Daily … such as were being saved. We need the residue of what a committed life produces … let’s commit and see what God will do!