The Church Pt 2

Acts 2:42 ESV

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

• What does it mean to be devoted?

1: to commit by a solemn act

2: to give over or direct (time, money, effort, etc.) to a cause, enterprise, or activity

1 Kings 8:61 ESV

61 Let your heart therefore be wholly true to the Lord our God, walking in his statutes and keeping his commandments, as at this day.”

• Solomon is highly spoken of through out scripture, he did some great things, and led the people well.
• BUT then

1 Kings 11:4 ESV

4 For when Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father.

• I don’t want to be this guy. 

Matthew 22:34-40 ESV

34 But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. 35 And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. 36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

• I know love God love people. 
• BUT!!!
• How? I need practical ways. 

Proverbs 3:1-12 ESV

1 My son, do not forget my teaching,
    but let your heart keep my commandments,

2 for length of days and years of life
    and peace they will add to you.

3 Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you;
    bind them around your neck;
    write them on the tablet of your heart.

4 So you will find favor and good success[a]
    in the sight of God and man.

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
    and do not lean on your own understanding.

6 In all your ways acknowledge him,
    and he will make straight your paths.

7 Be not wise in your own eyes;
    fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.

8 It will be healing to your flesh[b]
    and refreshment[c] to your bones.

9 Honor the Lord with your wealth
    and with the firstfruits of all your produce;

10 then your barns will be filled with plenty,
    and your vats will be bursting with wine.

11 My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline
    or be weary of his reproof,

12 for the Lord reproves him whom he loves,
    as a father the son in whom he delights.

• This is a major undertaking in any circumstances.
• I am learning that these things are much more attainable when not alone. 

Hebrews 3:12-15 ESV

12 Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. 13 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end. 15 As it is said, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”

• One thing that stands out from all this reading is that anyone can struggle or fall.
• All need encouragement. 
• Every day as long as it is called today.