Pastor Brent Lokker highlights the defining characteristics of the fellowship of believers as described in Acts 2:42-47 and Acts 4:32-37. Rather than treat these ideas as confined to the first century, Pastor Brent demonstrates that breaking of bread, praying for one another and taking care of each other's practical needs remain as defining marks of Holy Spirit-inspired communities today. To listen to the podcast, go to https://blazingfire.podbean.com/e/true-community-—-brent-lokker/ Given at Blazing Fire Church blazingfire.org on May 18, 2019.

1. TRUE
COMMUNITY
Acts 2 & 4
Brent Lokker
May 18, 2019

2. Blazing Fire Church’s Mission:
Encountering God’s Transforming Presence
Enjoying Kingdom Life as His Family
Equipping World Changers

3. ENJOYING KINGDOM LIFE
AS HIS FAMILY

4. ACTS 2:42-47
(NIV)
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and
to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and
signs performed by the apostles.
All the believers were together and had everything in
common. They sold property and possessions to give to
anyone who had need.

5. Every day they continued to meet together in the
temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate
together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and
enjoying the favor of all the people.
And the Lord added to their number daily those who
were being saved.
ACTS 2:42-47
(NIV)

6. All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one
claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but
they shared everything they had.
With great power the apostles continued to testify to
the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was
so powerfully at work in them all that there were no
needy persons among them.
ACTS 4:32-37
(NIV)

7. For from time to time those who owned land or houses
sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it
at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone
who had need. Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the
apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of
encouragement”), sold a field he owned and brought the
money and put it at the apostles’ feet.
ACTS 4:32-37
(NIV)

9. Acts 2:42-24
(The Word on the Street)
They’re totally committed: hang on every word the team teaches, into
community big time, never miss the symbolic bread-and-wine meal, spend
hours talking with God.
All of them are stunned by the supernatural stuff the team trigger off. They
live in community, everything in common ownership; they sell their stuff and
donate crazy amounts to the poor.

10. Acts 2:42-24
(The Word on the Street)
Every day they’re at God’s HQ, re-enacting Jesus’ symbolic meal, partying
together, doing each other good, celebrating God.
And the locals love it! No awkward neighbors hassling over parking rights—
they think it’s great.
God’s upping the numbers daily, as people are having their lives sorted.

13. ACTS 2:42-47
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and
to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

14. ACTS 2:42-47
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and
to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

15. ACTS 2:42-47
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and
to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

16. ACTS 2:42-47
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and
to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

17. COMMUNION & PRAYER
Stand up, walk around and find
someone to share communion with.
It can be someone near you or
someone across the room.
Introduce yourself and find a seat
next to each other.

18. COMMUNION & PRAYER
(With the bread/cracker): This is the
body of Christ, broken for you. Eat
this as you remember Him.
(With the cup of juice): This cup is
the new covenant of the grace of
Jesus. Remember His sacrifice for
the forgiveness of you sins and for
your freedom!

19. COMMUNION & PRAYER
Father, pour out your Spirit over
_______ in rich measure! Let him/her
know the depth of your heart for
them as your loved child.
I bless your life with peace!
I pray that hope fills your heart!
I release the healing power of Jesus…

20. ACTS 2:42-47
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and
to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and
signs performed by the apostles.
All the believers were together and had everything in
common. They sold property and possessions to give to
anyone who had need.

21. ACTS 4:32-37
All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one
claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but
they shared everything they had.
With great power the apostles continued to testify to
the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was
so powerfully at work in them all that there were no
needy persons among them.