1. Parable of the life saving station - they lost their purpose

1. The early church was mighty in its infancy. The plague of apathy, the disease of inertness and indifference and unconcern, was not known among this church. They were zealous, all fired up to carry out the Lord's will. The freshness of the resurrection was reflected in every aspect of their lives.

2. What has happened to us today! Aren't we in love with the Same Lord? Shouldn't we bear the same family likeness as the early church. What made them vigorous-convincing in their witness can make us vigorous and alive also. Today I want to share with you the things that made them different and the things that we have lost

I. To Be a Chruch With Power We have to Have Fellowship with the Risen Lord

A. V. 3 - The resurrected Lord was with them.

1. Physically for 40 days.

2. verse 5 - Then the Holy Spirit was manifest to believers

3. The same impowering Spirit of Christ that they had is ours today. He is here for anyone who will seek him. He is the Spirit of

Christ here to give us the same vigorous testimony - the same dynamic faith as the diciples .

4. This power of the Holy Spirit comes when you have fellowship with Christ. When you keep company with HIM.

A. Our problem

1. He is only a Sunday visitor

2. We keep company with the world

3. We are not even looking for him

B. How can we have fellowship with the Lord.

1. We Must KNOW HIM as Savior.

2. The re-newing of our minds - souls - on a daily basis

3. Phil 3:8-10 Listen folks, as long as we are more interested in this world of glamour and glitter, and in our own comfort

and wealth you will not have close fellowship with the LORD. You cannot have the fellowship of His sufferings while

sitting in the AC watching the Plasma TV. The power of the early church was in their fellowship with the Risen Lord.

5. Christ Community Church Needs the Power that Comes from fellowship with the Risen Savior - Jesus

II. To be a church with Power We have to be obedient to the Risen Lord.

A. V. 4 Christ commanded them to wait and they waited. They waited for power from on high.

B. Obedience is a bad word today. Unpopular word.

1. If we are to succeed in our work for the Lord we need to obey him.

2. they waited and were ready to Serve God!

3. Will you, the members of Christ Community Church commit to be obedient to the Risen Lord?

III. To be a church with power we have to be united in the Spirit of the Risen Lord

A. V. 14 The early church was in one ACCORD. They were all working for the same thing. The evidence

of this ACCORD was their prayer life. They were a praying church, all praying for the same thing.

B. If we are to have the power and vigor of the early church we need to be in one accord.

1. This starts with Praying together. Not for OUR WILL to be DONE but for GOD's will to be done.

2. Praying for the salvation of our neighbors. Praying for the courage to preach the Gospel. Praying for the Power of the Spirit

to fall on us.

3. Pray for more people to join the church and then ENCOURAGE others to worship with you

IV. To be a church with power we must believe the WORD OF GOD

A. A church that is alive will be one that preaches GOD'S word, not man's word.

1. We now have a movement in our country away from God's word.

2. many congregations are playing it safe - avoiding controversey and focus on the HAPPY portions of God’s word

1. A church with power is one in the Lord

2. the early church knew THAT without him they would perish. Because of this they were FOCUSED.

3. Will Christ Community Church survive beyond your life?