Being the Church in our Generation - Regenerate
January 08, 2012 | Todd Cyphers
Acts 1:8
Being the Church in our Generation – “Regenerate”
Acts 1:8, 2:1-4, Acts 2:37-42
The local church is meant to be...
I. An assembly of regenerate disciples
Titus 3:5 - God saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit.
~ “Regeneration” (Palingenesisia)- Completely restored, Born again.
1. A regenerate disciple is someone:
- “called” to be “in” Christ,
- devoted to being “equipped” to live like Christ
- & “sent” to reproduce other disciples.
2. The local church “assembly” is for truly “regenerate” individuals who know & treasure Christ & for those that God is truly drawing to Himself. The local church assembly is not for the purpose of “attracting” or “retaining” unbelievers.
Matthew 13:24-30 Page # 972
3. The only individuals who would assemble with the truly regenerate people are…
- “implanted tares” or…
- “unbelievers who are truly being drawn to God”
Acts 2:42
4. The early regenerate church assembly “desired” & “practiced” spiritual
disciplines that revealed they were truly redeemed people.
a. God's Word – public & personal
Nehemiah 8:1-13 - All the people gathered as one man at the square….they asked Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses which the Lord had given to Israel. Then Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly of men, women and all who could listen with understanding.....
Ezra the scribe stood at a wooden podium which they had made for the purpose. Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. Then Ezra blessed the Lord the great God. And all the people answered, "Amen, Amen!" while lifting up their hands; then they bowed low and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.
Then on the second day the heads of fathers' households of all the people, the priests and the Levites were gathered to Ezra the scribe that they might gain insight into the words of the law.
Acts 14:23, 28:23, 20:20
b. Fellowship - (Koinonia) - Share & Participate in “Life” together.
Hebrews 10:25 - Not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
c. Lord’s table – celebration & confession
1 Corinthians 11:26 -For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes.
d. Prayer – communion & dependence.
Matthew 7:7 – (Jesus said,) "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.