Fulfilling God's Dream for Us

"Fulfilling God's Dream For Us!" John 15:16; Acts 2:42-47

INTRO. All of us have dreams about the things we would like to or else about the things we think others should accomplish! As parents, we have dreams of what we desire for our children. As teachers, we have dreams of what we desire for our students. As pastors, we have dreams of what we desire for our people. Dreams are goods things that should be pursued, but too often, as believers, we fail to fulfill the greatest dream possible! That being God's dream for us! In John 15:16 we read, "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go forth and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you." Yes, God has dreams for His people! Just as the farmer selects the proper seed and then plants and waters it and with patience waits for its yield. God has saved us and indwelt us with His spirit that we may bring forth fruit that will remain and be pl- easing unto Him! In Acts 2:42-47, after that the apostle Peter had preached that heart-wrenching sermon on the day of Pentecost, we see the workings and power of the early Church! The early Church had no fancy building, no elaborate services, and hardly any NT scriptures, yet they did possess one thing-POWER! Why? Because they were fulfilling God's dream for them! A return of God’s presence and power is what is needed in our Churches today! God's desire and dream for His Churches today is that they grow together in love and reach the multitudes for Christ Jesus! How can we accomplish such a seemingly impossible task and fulfill God's dream for us? TO FULFILL GOD'S DREAM FOR US, WE MUST: (1) Get On Our Knees Acts 2:42d—“...And they continued stedfastly…in prayers”

A. THE PRIORITY OF PRAYER. Our word "stedfastly" is translated from a Greek word which means "to persevere and be constantly diligent". 1 Thessalonians 5:17 tells us, “Pray without ceasing.” ILLUS. Years ago an American minister visited Charles Spurgeon's Church in London. When the visitor noted there was little heat in the Sanctuary, he asked Spurgeon if he had a heating plant. Spurgeon led his guest to a large basement room. He explained that before every service, 400 members met there to pray for their pastor and the Salvation of the lost. Spurgeon concluded, "This is the Church's real heating plant."1 B. THE POWER OF PRAYER. For us to feel the fire of God's presence again we must "Get on our knees!" Acts 4:31—“And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.” The Early Church prayed constantly about everything! So should we! Philippians 4:6 says, “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” We must learn to pray together again! Matthew 18:19 promises us, “Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.” “When God intends to bless His People, the first thing He does is to set them a-praying." --Matthew Henry2

(2) Pour Out Our Hearts Acts 2:46—“And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart" A. THE LORD’S REQUIREMENT. Pentecost teaches us that our purpose is to be none other than the Body of Christ. We don't necessarily need a nice building, a good choir, or an elaborate order of service, we must only let God’s Spirit rule our hearts! Colossians 3:12-15—“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering: Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called into one body; and be ye thankful.” B. THE LOVE REVEALED. The early Church had "gladness" and "singleness of heart." The word "singleness" is translated for a Greek word means “simplicity”. This Early Church had no heart rIvals, but poured out their hearts to God's purpose and plan for them! They expressed the Love of God in them by the self-sacrificing spirit they had! Galatians 6:10—“As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good to all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” How can we expect to fulfill God's dream for us if we fail to show forth the Love Of Christ to others!? (2 Corinthians 5:14)! 1 Corinthians 16:14—“let all things be done with charity." I John 3:18-19; John 13:34-35

(3) Unite Our Hearts Acts 2:44a—“And all that believed were together..." Acts 2:46a—“And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple..." A. THEY WERE BOUND BY LOVE. The Early church had Unity of Spirit! They were united, joined together in the bond of love and Christian unity.3 Psalm 133:1 tells us, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” B. THEY WERE BOUND BY PURPOSE. They were "together" in thought and aim, in every aspect of living. They had prayer and praise together daily!4 Philippians 2:2; 1:27. *For us to “fulfill” God's dream for us and be a force in this community, we must have unity! Abraham Lincoln said, "United we stand, divided we fall!" What is true of a Nation is true of the Church! Matthew Henry said, "The seat of Christian Unity is in the heart of the Spirit: It does not lie in one set of thoughts nor in one form and mode of worship, but in one heart and one soul."5 Ephesians 4:3 tells us, “Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (4) Extend Our Hands Acts 2:45—“And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need" A. MEETING NEEDS. The early Church's members, as needs arose, sold their possessions to give to those who had need. We, as members of His Body should be willing to give to those who need around us! Luke 6:30, 38 B. MINISTERING CHRIST. There are many in our city tonight who need help and by helping we can preach a powerful sermon to them! We can show them the Love Of God! 1 John 3:16-17 (5) Spread Our Wings Acts 2:42a—“And they continued stedfastly in the apostle's doctrine and fellowship..." Acts 2:43a—“And fear came upon every soul..." Acts 2:47—“Praising God and having favor with all the people. And the LORD added to the Church daily should be saved"

A. THE REALITY. We, as God's People, can't take flight under our own power! Isaiah 40:31—“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” We must be willing to follow His Spirit! (Galatians 5:16).

B. THE RELIANCE. The early Church relied on Three Things to Carry them forward, we must rely on these also. They:

1) Relied On God's Word (v42a) Psalms 119:105 Our Faith must never waver from the Inspired WORD OF GOD! 2) Relied On Fellowship (vvs. 42b, 46b) 1 Peter 3:8-9 3) Relied On God To Give The Increase (v47) 1 Corinthians 3:6-7 TOO long, have we, the Church, let reason and rationalism, dictate our course of action! (Proverbs 3:5-6). By doing this we have failed to go forward toward God's dream for us! We, by faith, must spread our wings, step out, and allow the breath of God's Holy Spirit to bear us forward into the future! CLOSING: God told Moses and the Israelites, after the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, "Ye have compassed this mountain long enough, turn northward." God's desire and dream for us, His people, is that

we go forward by His Grace carrying the Gospel to the lost and dying around us! We must all be willing to fulfill His dream for us! Will you follow Him in all? NOTES: 1. Leonard I. Sweet. Homiletics. Volume 6. Number 2. April-June 1994. Pg. 33. 2. Albert M. Wells, Jr. Inspiring Quotations-Contemporary & Classical. Pg. 159. 3. Oliver B. Greene. The Acts Of The Apostles. Pg. 203. 4. IBID. Pg. 203. 5. Matthew Henry. The Quotable Matthew Henry. Pg. 331.