Sermon Title: The Church You Have Always Longed for – Captures the Heart of The Community
"The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade. No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed."
In many communities all across our country, the local church is irrelevant and powerless to make a real difference in people lives. There are many reasons for this, however, there is no disputing the fact that a majority of churches in America are declining in attendance and influence. This was not true for the early church that is referenced in the above text. They were a church that others in the community “esteemed” and thought very highly of. They impacted the community, and through their ministry the lives of many, many people were literally changed and transformed. This was not a dying, powerless church – it was truly a church alive with the power of the Holy Spirit that eventually captured the heart of the community that it resided. How did they do this? This Sunday we will examine this question as we continue the sermon series, “The Church You Have Always Longed for…” Hope to see you then!
