Good Shepherd Community Church

“Has the Holy Spirit been poured out on us, and are we continuing to be filled with theSpirit day by day?”

…they devoted themselves to the apostle’s teaching… (2:42)
…and awe came upon every soul… (2:43)
…and [they were] praising God… (2:47)

The Spirit of God leads the people of God to be DEVOTED to the Word of God!

“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 5:4)

“The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” (John 6:63)

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. (Romans 10:17)

Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith? (Galatians 3:5)

…be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ… (Ephesians 5:18-20)

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. (Colossians 3:16)

And they devoted themselves to… the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. (2:42)

And all who believed were together and had all things in common. (2:44)


And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts… (2:46)

God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (1 Corinthians 1:9)

…you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. (1 John 1:3)

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (2 Corinthians 13:14)

Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work…. 10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.

2 Corinthians 9:6-8, 10-11

God does not give to us for us to keep what He gives to ourselves. GOD GIVES TO US IN ORDER TO GIVE THROUGH US!

Reasons not to give generously to the church:
· Ignorance – nobody ever taught you that this is what Christians do.
· Carelessness – you want to give but never plan to.
· Greed – you want to keep more than you need for yourself.
· Fear – you worry that you won’t have what you need.

Next step takeaways:
With God as His FAMILY:
• Ask God to give you a deep hunger for His Word.
Commit to a daily habit of hearing from God and believing what He says so you can be filled with the Spirit.
• Commit to a daily habit of hearing from God and believing what He says so you can be filled with the Spirit.

With Others as His SERVANTS:
• Surrender all of your time, talents, and money to God and make everything you have available to Him and His people.
• Join a small group with other believers to pursue fellowship with them.

On Mission as His MISSIONARIES:
•Ask God how much He wants you to increase your giving to the church and then follow through on how He leads you.
• A “tithe” (10% of your income) is a biblical pattern and good place to start.
• Invite an unbeliever to attend church with you next week so they can see a glimpse of our fellowship with God and each other.