#WHY MULTIPLY - Acts 2:42-47
42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. -Acts 2.42-47
**Big Idea: the same things that led to multiplication within the early church are the basis of WHY we gather, WHAT we do when we gather, and WHY, when done well, this leads to multiplication**
Every church is called to multiply. Helps to be healthy when we multiply. What does it take to be healthy?
**Model for healthy church - Acts 2:42-47**
Context: Spirit has come, Stephen preached a very compelling sermon at Pentecost, Church is forming, the passage is Descriptive & Prescriptive
v. 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teachings, the fellowship, the breaking of bread, and the prayers.
Devoted: to give one’s time, energy, resources and attention, to a person, cause or activity.
“Perverted notions of God soon rot the religion in which they appear… So necessary to the Church is a lofty concept of God that when the concept is any measure declines, the Church with her worship and her moral standards declines along with it. The first step down for any church is taken when it surrenders its high opinion of God.”
– A.W. Tozer
Apostles teaching: high view of God’s word, and of God Himself.
The Fellowship: Gk “koinwnia” - contribution, participation, sharing, collaboration.
The Breaking of Bread: communal meals, genuine community, transparent living
The Prayers: daily dependence upon God
**The Effect?**
v. 43 “And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.”
Awe: Gk “phobos” - fear, wonder, awe
vv. 44-45 “And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.”
The only thing compelling them to do so was their joy - springing forth from their devotion to God.
What is stirred up in you when hearing about the early church’s generosity?
vv. 46-47a “And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and finding favor with all the people.”
v.47b “And the Lord added to their number dad by day those who were being saved.”
God does the work
**Devotion + The Lord = Multiplication**
**Why Multiply?**
From an Exponential Group study: Churches less than 10 years old account for 80-90% of new conversions in an area.
From a Barna Study: There isn’t a county in America that has more Christians today than it did 10 years ago.
**Application**
Questions to ask yourself for this next season of multiplication at Cross & Crown:
1) What are you devoted to when it comes to the Word (apostles teaching)?
Entertainment or easy teaching? Low challenge?
OR submitting to the Word of God, not lowering our view of God (Tozer quote)
2) How do you view community?
Optional - only when I feel like it
OR Essential? Koinwnia is all in, essential to life
3) Do you open yourself up to communal meals (more than just eating food)?
Unwilling to let people into your mess
OR bypassing the picture of “perfect” life and show people genuine life
4) How do you view prayer?
Last-ditch effort when all else fails?
OR vitally important to your own spiritual health AND life of the church
