Life Elevation Church
The Authentic Church: Devoted
The first century church: wow, over 2000 years later and here is where we stand. Have we slipped away from the original idea, and if so, what is it about the first century church that differs from the church of the twenty-first century? In answering this question, we can easily cast rocks aimed at others whose idea of church differs from our preferences or practices of “church”. However, rather than a “stoning”, let’s participate in an “owning” of who we are to be in light of the Word of God. Today, and over the next several weeks, let’s review and embrace the mark set by Christ, and press towards it; both individually and collectively in a good ol’ pursuit of authenticity.
Locations & Times
Life Elevation Church
2517 N 107th Ave, Avondale, AZ 85392, USA
Sunday 9:00 AM
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Our Prayer:
Father, I thank you for your Word which is alive and available to me. As I have made time to learn of You, teach me by your Holy Spirit, open my eyes and my heart to see and understand all that you have for me today, cause me to grow and mature in your way by the Spirit and Word of God, in Jesus name, Amen.
Father, I thank you for your Word which is alive and available to me. As I have made time to learn of You, teach me by your Holy Spirit, open my eyes and my heart to see and understand all that you have for me today, cause me to grow and mature in your way by the Spirit and Word of God, in Jesus name, Amen.
Authentic Defined: real, genuine, true, not false or imitation
authenticity is the degree to which an individual's actions are congruent with their beliefs and desires, despite external pressures
Church Define: Those who have believed on the name of Jesus, and who have received His gift of grace and salvation by faith and are NOW in Christ. The church is not a building, Roman 16:5,ff, the church is the people of the gathering.
Authentic Church Defined: as the spiritual community of believers living to sincerely reflect the love, heart, and character of Christ Jesus, despite external pressures. It is made up of individual believers striving to live a life that reflects character and will of God for their lives.
The leader(s) of the local church, to a degree, is/are responsible for the culture or authenticity of the local church: When Jesus address the 7 churches in the Book of Revelation, he addressed his words of accommodation and correction to the "angel" or pastor of the churches. (See e Revelation chapters 2 & 3) Understand that a leader cannot "force" spiritual growth, but an environment for growth should be present.
Therefore the local church will often reflect the leader(s): Reference the apostle Paul's words "follow (imitate) me AS I follow Christ." As leaders "model' Christ, those in the community learn to reflect their leadership, ultimately reflecting the character of Christ.
NOTE: Today, believers have more opportunity to learn of Christ for themselves because God's written word is more readily available to us than for the first century believer.
authenticity is the degree to which an individual's actions are congruent with their beliefs and desires, despite external pressures
Church Define: Those who have believed on the name of Jesus, and who have received His gift of grace and salvation by faith and are NOW in Christ. The church is not a building, Roman 16:5,ff, the church is the people of the gathering.
Authentic Church Defined: as the spiritual community of believers living to sincerely reflect the love, heart, and character of Christ Jesus, despite external pressures. It is made up of individual believers striving to live a life that reflects character and will of God for their lives.
The leader(s) of the local church, to a degree, is/are responsible for the culture or authenticity of the local church: When Jesus address the 7 churches in the Book of Revelation, he addressed his words of accommodation and correction to the "angel" or pastor of the churches. (See e Revelation chapters 2 & 3) Understand that a leader cannot "force" spiritual growth, but an environment for growth should be present.
Therefore the local church will often reflect the leader(s): Reference the apostle Paul's words "follow (imitate) me AS I follow Christ." As leaders "model' Christ, those in the community learn to reflect their leadership, ultimately reflecting the character of Christ.
NOTE: Today, believers have more opportunity to learn of Christ for themselves because God's written word is more readily available to us than for the first century believer.
What can we learn from the the first century church?
-They were 'normal people' filled with the Holy Spirit.
-They experienced normal people challenges as we do today.
-They also experienced things that we may not see in our church today.
The first century church was DEVOTED to four things, Acts 2:42
1. The doctrine or teaching of the Apostles (The word of God)
2. and to the fellowship
3. To the breaking of Bread
4. and to the prayer
Acts 2:43-47 Shows the result of verse 42
Acts 3:1-28:31 Tells exactly how they first century church walked out vv 42-47
-They were 'normal people' filled with the Holy Spirit.
-They experienced normal people challenges as we do today.
-They also experienced things that we may not see in our church today.
The first century church was DEVOTED to four things, Acts 2:42
1. The doctrine or teaching of the Apostles (The word of God)
2. and to the fellowship
3. To the breaking of Bread
4. and to the prayer
Acts 2:43-47 Shows the result of verse 42
Acts 3:1-28:31 Tells exactly how they first century church walked out vv 42-47
The church is built with living stones into God's spiritual house or temple, of which Christ is the chief cornerstone, 1 Peter 2:5
Our humanity requires maintenance and realignment for time to time. This is accomplished by giving heed to the steps of devotion
-Devote yourselves to Christ teaching
-Devote yourself to fellowship
-To breaking bread together
-To prayer
Our humanity requires maintenance and realignment for time to time. This is accomplished by giving heed to the steps of devotion
-Devote yourselves to Christ teaching
-Devote yourself to fellowship
-To breaking bread together
-To prayer
ADDITIONAL STUDY ON THE SUBJECT
Colossians 2:7
Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.
Study of the Word of God on a weekly basis and be a disciple of Jesus Christ. Below, we've listed additional study content on the subject of worship.
Colossians 2:7
Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.
Study of the Word of God on a weekly basis and be a disciple of Jesus Christ. Below, we've listed additional study content on the subject of worship.
CLEANSED with Charity Gayle
No matter what season we find ourselves in, nothing can separate us from the love of God. We are saved, we are filled and water baptized! Jesus our Savior is alive! All things are working for my good! WE ARE BLESSED!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqnT9JRm8dAGiving Online is safe and secure with Life Elevation Church
Giving online is safe and secure with Life Elevation Church. Thank you for your financial support into the efforts and ministry of Life Elevation Church. Your gift helps us to change hearts and elevate lives.
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=EU56M256NZLGWText to Give
Giving to support the efforts and ministry of Life Elevation Church is simple, safe and secure. SET UP your method of giving to Life Elevation Church at the time of your FIRST contribution via text. From then on, text to give is the simplest way to give. Try it today, and remember, your giving helps to change hearts and elevate lives, thank you!
https://churchcenter.com/giving/text-to-give/help