Church obeying God’s word, becoming more like Christ

Acts 2:41-44

As we celebrate our 120th church’s anniversary, located here on Tucker Hill.

God used those whom He used to gather at this place to worship Him and to make a difference in this community.

God left His church in the world so that the world would come to know Him as Lord and Savior.

Our Church's purpose for existing is to reach the world with the message of Christ to change lives.

For any local church to accomplish this lofty goal, it requires more than just being saved, but spiritual transformation of becoming like Christ, and for that to happen, we must obey God’s word. 

Living the best life in Christ only happens when we obey God’s word.

The first church, which was saved on Pentecost after Peter preached Christ, obeyed God’s commandment of discipleship, fellowship, and worship.

It would behoove every believer to do likewise and enjoy the abundant life Jesus promised in John 10:10.

The first church grew spiritually, numerically, and financially because they were obedient to God’s word through continuing in the pastor’s teaching.


Three principles of growth to obey, to live the best life in Christ.
  1. Obeying God’s commandment of discipleship- vs. 42a
  2. Obeying God’s commandment of fellowship- vs. 42b
  3. Obeying God’s commandment of worship- vs. 42c 

Obeying God’s word requires purposeful intentions.

Obeying God’s word requires a submissive heart.

Obeying God’s word requires faith to trust God’s plan.

I.     Obeying God’s commandment of discipleship- vs. 42a.

“And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine.” 

Disciple is one who adheres to the teaching of another and makes it his guide for living.
  1. Discipleship is a choice that enables one in living the best life.
  • Jesus said, if anyone would come after me, let him deny himself, pick up his cross, and follow me.
  1. Discipleship is the path to living the best life in becoming like Christ.
  2. Discipleship requires steadfast determination.
  • They continued steadfast in the apostle’s teaching.
  • They were determined to attend bible study, Sunday school, and personal study time.

Obeying God’s commandment to discipleship is a key component in living the best life, becoming like Christ.

Becoming like Christ only happens when we are taught the Bible and apply it to our lives.

II.     Obeying God’s commandment of fellowship- vs. 42b.

“And they continue stedfastly in fellowship.”

Fellowship in the Greek is koinonia, meaning to share in.
  • Fellowship is synonymous with connecting, communion, and community.
  1. The first church understood that God did not make us to do life alone.
  • The Bible says it’s not good that man should be alone
  • Eph. 4:16, “From which the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth according to the effectual working in the measure of every part making increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.”
  1. Connected to one another.
  2. Meeting the needs of one another.
  3. Building up one another.
  4. Growing spiritually mature.
  1. Fellowship is instrumental in living the best life, becoming like Christ.
  2. Fellowship is spiritual and practical evidence of loving God and people.
  3. They were steadfastly determined and devoted to getting along, sharing life with each other.

God did not make us to live life alone, to do ministry alone.

We need to rebuke that spirit of isolation and embrace God’s plan of inclusion.
  • Individualism is not of God but of Satan.
  • Solo is not of God but of Satan.
  • It’s humanism that says I don’t need anyone.
  • Satan's plan is to separate us, not to serve together.

Fellowship is loving, caring, and sharing life together.

III.   Obeying God’s commandment of worship- vs. 42c 

“And they continued stedfastly in breaking of bread and in prayers.”

  1. The highest level of worship is the gathering of saints for communion.
  2. God commanded the church to commemorate his death, burial, and resurrection. 
  3. It is a great sin, to not gather for worship and partake of the Lord’s table.
    1. Reflect on what the LORD has done!
      • He rescued me!
    2. Remember his promise to return!
      • For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, with the trump
  4. Prayer is essential to worshipping God.
  • Prayer is to be made before corporate worship, during corporate worship, and after corporate worship.

Worship benefits the believer and glorifies God!
  • In worship, we experience God’s presence!
  • In worship, we experience God’s power!
  • In worship, we experience God’s joy! 

Worship is when we empty ourselves of self and allow God to fill us with HIMSELF.


Obeying God’s commandment of discipleship!

Obeying God’s commandment of fellowship!

Obeying God’s commandment of worship!