To begin 2016, Mike is preaching a 5-lesson series on “A Living Church.”
In the first lesson, Mike considers the question, “What would keep OpenDoor from growing?”
Since “living” things grow naturally, if the church is alive, it should grow. Maybe our emphasis should not be on church “growth,” but on church “health.”
Taking a close at the importance of fellowship, Mike notes that God designed us to be together.
With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
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. 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 2:40-47 (NIV)
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.
Philippians 2:1-2 (NIV)
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