Acts 2:47 Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the Church daily such as should be saved.

 

The Early Church made a huge impact on the community. The way in which they lived and conducted themselves spoke to the people causing them to come and listen to the Gospel being preached. Remember, every true born again believer in Christ IS the Church. Lost people are watching to see what is so special about us.

 

In the First Century, Jews watched the Christians. They were different; very different. They were peculiar people set apart from the rest of the world and yet, they were totally unified. They loved each other, helped each other, and provided for each other. They shared their possessions and made sure everyone was cared for. They started their own schools for their children where the Gospel of Christ was taught. Train them up in the way they should go and when they are old they shall not depart. (Proverbs 11:6)

 

As stated in a previous Morning Message, a lot of the way the First Church believers conducted their lives was out of necessity due to their excommunication from the Jewish society. However, God used this persecution to bring them together as one. This is what Jesus prayed in the 17th Chapter of John. After He prayed for His Disciples, Jesus prayed these Words: I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us. That the world may believe that You sent Me. And the Glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My Glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. O Righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. And I have declared to them Your Name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them. (John 17:20-26)

 

This is what Jesus prayed for you and me. Wow, what a prayer. Read it again, and again. Understand that this was Jesus’ prayer for us, His followers. This is the Will of God for His Church; His children. Do you believe that God the Father sent Jesus, His Son to you out of His great Love for you? He did it all just for you!

 

The Words of Jesus will….….turn the tide

 

Grateful beyond words,         Doreen

 

www.bettsministries.org