LOST                                                                                     EAST BAY FELLOWSHIP

(Series, #3)                                                                                        September 17, 2006

 

COMMUNITY OF THE FOUND

TEXT: Acts 2:38-42

INTRODUCTION

 

·       Think of God’s people in the Bible:

 

  1. Moses stuttered and was a reluctant leader

 

  1. Gideon was filled with doubt

 

  1. Jacob had a problem with lying

 

  1. Naomi had struggled with bitterness

 

  1. Hezekiah lacked discretion

 

  1. Martha was a workaholic

 

  1. Peter might have had a mild form of Turet’s syndrome

 

  1. Paul had a judgmental and legalistic background

 

  1. Barnabas didn’t have good relational boundaries

 

  1. Timothy probably had an ulcer from stress

 

THE COMMUNITY OF THE FOUND ARE:

 

1)     QUICK TO CHANGE

 

·       Peter said to them, “Each one of you must turn away from his sins…   Acts 2:38 (TEV)

 

2)     QUICK TO DO WHAT GOD SAYS

 

·       Samuel said, “Which does the LORD prefer: obedience or offerings and sacrifices? It is better to obey him than to sacrifice the best sheep to him.  Rebellion against him is as bad as witchcraft, and arrogance is as sinful as idolatry.   1 Sam 15:22-23 (TEV)

 

3)     QUICK TO EMBRACE ALL OF GOD

 

·       The most notable characteristic of embracing God all the way is the power to be unified around a single cause—Jesus!

 

4)     QUICK TO RESIST CORRUPTION

 

·       Repentance and rejecting corruption are about falling out of love with the world.  Obedience and Embracing are about falling in love with God and His world.  The result is true fellowship—falling in love with your brothers and sisters in Christ.   

 

CONCLUSION

 

·       “Shortcuts don’t mix with love.”   Miss Ellie

 

·       Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.   1 Pet 4:8 (NIV)