Living the Five Purposes of God

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.  Acts 2:42-47 NIV

1. Worship God with Passion and Joy. 

They devoted themselves...to the breaking of bread and to prayer...praising God... Acts 2:42,47 NIV

We should not stop gathering together with other believers, as some of you are doing. Instead, we must continue to encourage each other…  Hebrews 10:25 GW 

2. Get involved deeply in God’s Family, His Church.  (Fellowship). 

They committed themselves to...life together, the common meal, and the prayers... all the believers lived in a wonderful harmony, holding everything in common.  Acts 2:42,44 MSG

All the believers were together and shared everything. They would sell their land and the things they owned and then divide the money and give it to anyone who needed it. The believers met together in the Temple every day. They ate together in their homes, happy to share their food with joyful hearts.  Acts 2:44-46 NCV

3. Grow and mature to become more Christlike.   (Discipleship)

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching... Acts 2:42 NIV

We preach Christ, warning people not to add to the Message. We teach in a spirit of profound common sense so that we can bring each person to maturity.  Colossians 1:28a MSG

4. Serve Others with Generosity and Compassion.  (Serving)

And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need...praising God and having favor with all the people.  Acts 2:45-47 ESV

“serve one another...”  Galatians 5:13 ESV

 5. Bring others to Jesus.  (Evangelism)  

And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.  Acts 2:47 NLT

“you will be my witnesses...”  Acts 1:8 ESV

Take as many people to Heaven as we can, before we die.  Period.

Message Notes:  The Holy Bible, New International Version, New Living Translation, English Standard Version.  God’s Word translation.  The Message, by Eugene Peterson.  The Purpose-Driven Life and The Purpose-Driven Church, by Rick Warren.