Our Pattern For Passionate Living!

OUR PATTERN FOR PASSIONATE LIVING!

Acts 2:36-47

INTRODUCTION: Tonight’s message will show the pattern of how the New Testament believers

turned their world upside down. There has been no movement like Christianity that has so

radically and powerfully changed the world: Acts 2:41-47. We must learn that it is

commitment that makes the difference in any realm of life. Commitment gets the ball rolling

and commitment turns dreams into reality. Just a few people who will radically commit

themselves 100% to a cause will radically change their world. Just as the early Christians

changed their world by a 100% commitment to their Lord and Savior so today we must commit

ourselves 100% to praying for revival in our own hearts and in our nation! Our God has always

looked for people who are 100% committed to Him so He can be 100% committed to them.

2 Chronicles 16:9.

I. COMMIT YOURSELF TO A PASSIONATE RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD’S SON!

If we ever expect to see a change in our own hearts and the hearts of the people of this

nation, there must be a commitment to a passionate relationship with Jesus Christ! Acts 2:41;

John 1:12-13; John 14:6. Here God is offering each of us forgiveness, the gift of eternal life, but

it must be received by faith. Romans 10:9-10 shows us a compassionate commitment not to a

set of beliefs but to the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ! 2 Corinthians 5:17-18.

II. COMMIT YOURSELF TO A PASSINATE MEMBERSHIP IN YOUR LOCAL CHURCH!

As we make a passionate commitment to our local church by both baptism and active

membership we will make a difference in our community! Acts 2:41; Acts 2:44-46. They didn’t

just join the church they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching ,and to fellowship and to

the breaking of bread and to prayer! The church must be passionate about the Word of God!

We must become passionate about our worship because without uplifting, Christ-glorifying,

praise centered worship we will be spiritually malnourished. We must as a church be totally

committed to the spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ! We must use our giftedness to glorify

our Lord in a ministry that works together with the ministries of our local church: Ephesians

4:16. If our church were to grow according to your commitment to this local church last year

how much would it have grown?

III. COMMIT YOURSELF TO PASSIONATE FELLOWSHIP!

These early believers had committed themselves to a passionate fellowship. Acts 2:42;

Acts 2:46. These early believers were committed to a fellowship that would mature their faith.

Maturing in the faith means you grow with others and share with others and mature with

others. As we grow in the grace of God and the knowledge or our Lord Jesus Christ we also will

become passionate in our walk with Christ and one another. These early believers had a

oneness of heart and love for the Lord and for each other: John 13:34-35; Ephesians 4:30-32.

Their fellowship had a mission of reaching their world with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

IV. COMMIT YOURSELF TO A PASSIONATE LORDSHIP!

Last of all the early Christians had a total commitment to a passionate Lordship. Acts 2:45.

Jesus was Lord of their lives and they were totally committed to His Lordship! Everything they

owned was now owned by Jesus Christ and it was to be used for His glory: 1 Peter 3:15. In Old

Testament times if you were totally committed you had to only give ten percent. In New

Testament times if you are totally committed all you have belongs to the Lord! Jesus Christ was

Lord of their praises! Romans 12:1-2.