We are to continue steadfastly in the Four Joints of Building The Body of Christ.
Joint # 3 – THE BREAKING OF BREAD
1) COMMUNION – the body & blood of our Lord Jesus Christ (John 6 : 48 – 51)
2) EATING TOGETHER – in the temple & house-to-house, the body of Christ must gather & fellowship
3) READING THE WORD – Encountering Jesus in the revelation of The Word
“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.: Acts 2:42 NKJV
Acts 2:40-47, John 6:48-51, Luke 24:25-35, Luke 22:19-20, Ephesians 1:15-18
God desires to take people higher. There are many accounts in scripture where God invites people to “come up” to Him, to ascend the “mountain.” It’s at this higher place where He meets with people, where there are encounters, where people receive wisdom and revelation.
What we know is that going higher, always requires effort and testing.
It’s the journey that changes you. Are you ready to prepare for the climb?
1. You must acknowledge your current position.
2. You must prepare for the journey.
3. You must climb.
4. Prepare for hard conversations.
5. Get ready to encounter God.
There should be fruit as you journey. God is inviting you higher! He loves you and wants more for you. Are you ready to climb?
Genesis 22:1-14, Isaiah 55:8-9, Micah 4:2, Matthew 17:1-2, Exodus 24:12. Isaiah 6:1
Matt Scott is the founding pastor of The Gathering Place Church in Moody, Alabama, and is an Overseer of The Roads Church, providing spiritual oversight to the church in a variety of ways in leadership decision making and accountability matters.
Fellowship – kŏinōnia – Close mutual relationships and involvement; partnership, participation; sharing in activities or privileges of an intimate association
We are to “continue steadfastly” in Fellowship – both horizontally – with our brothers and sisters in Christ, and vertically with the Father and Jesus. And this is that “your joy may be full.”
Vertical Fellowship – We are not called merely into a relationship ABOUT JESUS; we’re called into a kŏinōnia WITH JESUS. We are called to partner with, participate with, involved with Jesus in an intimate relationship. You cannot have faith outside of the revelation that Jesus living in you is greater than he who is in the world, and then you can release faith through Jesus living in you.
Horizontal Fellowship – Who you fellowship with MATTERS! We have been called to horizontal kŏinōnia that goes out into the world that is so connected to Jesus that He in us will draw people to Him. When we partner with people who are connected to Jesus who prays for us, who encourages us, and when we get out of kŏinōnia with Jesus and the Bible, they call us to the truth. And when we partner with others in ministry – fruit abounds to your account in heaven.
“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life— the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us— that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.” 1 John 1:1-4
Philemon 1:4-6, 2 Corinthians 6:14-18, 1 John 1:5-7, Acts 2:40-47, 1 John 1:1-4
All of our theology & doctrine will be based on scripture.
We will continue steadfastly in all three biblical teachings of the Apostle’s Doctrine:
1) The doctrine of Baptism of Holy Spirit & Fire (Acts 1:4) – Believers need power.
2) The doctrine of Signs & Wonders (Acts 2:43) – They were done through the apostles. God wants to work signs and wonders through YOU, through the power of the Spirit of God to flow through.
3) The doctrine of Authority of the Believer (Mark 1:21-28) – Jesus has given us the authority over ALL the power of the enemy.
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16
Acts 2:43, Mark 1:21-28, 2 Timothy 3:16, Luke 10:19, Acts 1:4-5
Church growth is about each of us growing in our relationship with Jesus, with the joints of the body in place both collectively and in our lives individually. And then as followers of Jesus, we must be willing to testify about our relationship with Jesus and what He is doing in our life. Our testimony should exhort/urge other people to take action and do something with it.
TESTIFY & EXHORT! Let me tell you about Jesus!
“A person with an argument is not match for a person with an experience.”
And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” Acts 2:40
Ephesians 4:11-16, Acts 2:36-47, Revelation 19:10, 1 Thessalonians 2:10-12, John 4:29-30