1. Jerusalem A Model Church for Today Acts 2-12

2. A Model Church for Today Models and patterns are important (Ex. 25:40; 2 Tim. 1:13) People are looking for church models today – “look how they are growing!” The Lord built his church (Mt. 16:18) and the Jerusalem church is a divine model of the Lord’s church (Acts 2-12)

3. A Converted Church (2:37-41) The problem today: a lack of true conversion among church members Their conversion resulted from the: –Right communication: gospel preaching –Right conviction: pricked in the heart –Right conditions: repentance, baptism The solution: Bible-based gospel preaching and gospel obedience (Rom. 1:14-16)

4. A Worshipping Church (2:42, 46-47) The problem today: a loss of focus on true worship in the assembly Their worship was: –Continual –Concentrated –Connected The solution: improve our worship through preparation, participation, and passion

5. A Learning Church (2:42; 5:42) The problem today: a loss of Bible knowledge Their study focused on the right: –Person –Plan –Place The solution: let us make time for reading, study, and learning (Acts 17:11; 1 Tim. 4:13)

6. Jerusalem A Model Church for Today Acts 2-12 - Part 2 -

7. A United Church (2:44-46; 4:24,32) The problem today: a lack of unity, hyper- individualism, division Their unity was in: –Submission to God’s teaching –Service to God and others –Serious practice (6:1-6) The solution: let us take unity seriously and work at it (Psa. 133:1; Jn. 17:20-23; 1 Cor. 1:10; Eph. 4:2-3)

8. A Praying Church (2:42; 4:24; 6:6; 12:5) The problem today: many church members are ungrateful and self-reliant Their prayers were made: –In good times –In challenging times –In bad times The solution: let us pray at all times and for all occasions (1 Thess. 5:17-18)

9. A Giving Church (2:45; 4:32-37; 6:1-6) The problem today: many church members are selfish and unconcerned Their benevolence was: –From the heart –With liberality –For the needy saints The solution: let us work to have for those in need (Acts 20:34-35; Eph. 4:28; 2 Cor. 9:7)

10. Jerusalem A Model Church for Today Acts 2-12 - Part 3 -

11. A Model Church: Review A converted church (2:37-41) A worshipping church (2:42, 46-47) A learning church (2:42; 5:42) A united church (2:44-46; 4:24,32) A praying church (2:42; 4:24; 6:6; 12:8) A giving church (2:45; 4:32-37; 6:1-60)

12. A Disciplined Church (5:1-11) The problem today: many church members are allowed to live in sin and be in fellowship This discipline was: –God-ordered –Exercised immediately –Respected (feared) by all The solution: let us discipline when necessary (Mt. 18:15-17; 1 Cor. 5:1-13; Rom. 16:17-18; 2 Thess. 3:6-15)

13. A Persecuted Church (4:1ff; 5:17ff; 6:8ff; 8:1ff; 12:1ff) The problem today: many avoid persecution by living like the world around them Their persecution: –Resulted from standing for truth –Was met with perseverance and prayer –Was faced positively (4:4,19; 5:29,41; 6:1,7; 7:60; 8:4; 12:24) The solution: let us endure persecution (Mt. 5:11-12; Jn. 15:20; 2 Tim. 3:12; 1 Pet. 4:16)

14. A Rejoicing Church (2:46; 5:41) The problem today: many have lost their zeal and enthusiasm in serving the Lord Their joy came from: –Salvation from Christ –Serving for Christ –Society with Christians The solution: let us remain happy at all times (Psa. 16:11; 51:10-12; Rom. 14:17; Gal. 5:22; Phil. 4:4)

15. Jerusalem A Model Church for Today Acts 2-12 - Part 4 -

16. A Model Church: Review A converted church (2:37-41) A worshipping church (2:42, 46-47) A learning church (2:42; 5:42) A united church (2:44-46; 4:24,32) A praying church (2:42; 4:24; 6:6; 12:8) A giving church (2:45; 4:32-37; 6:1-60)

17. A Model Church: Review A disciplined church (5:1-11) A persecuted church (4:1ff; 8:1ff; 12:1ff) A rejoicing church (2:46; 5:41)

18. An Organized Church (6:1-6; 11:30; 15:2; 21:18) The problem today: many local churches lack proper leadership Their organized was: –Ordained by God (Eph. 3:10; 4:8ff) –Taken seriously (Ac. 6:1ff) –Effective in work The solution: let men qualify themselves to lead (Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:1ff; Tit. 1:5ff)

19. An Evangelistic Church (5:41-42; 8:4,14; 11:22) The problem today: local churches will not spread the gospel outside the building They evangelized: –With zeal, continually and selflessly –Without boundaries –In the midst of persecution The solution: let us go out and spread the gospel (Mt. 9:38; Jn. 4:35)

20. A Growing Church (2:41,47; 4:4; 5:14; 6:1,7; 12:24) The problem today: new church members are not being added; churches dying Their growth was not: –Without effort and preaching (5:42) –A result of unauthorized gimmicks –Hindered by persecution or problems The solution: let us grow in number and strength (Ac. 16:5)