The First Church - Part 1 of 2

Baptist Bible Lord comes to you under the direction of Elder Lucero Bradley Junior, pastor of the Cincinnati primitive Baptist Church will and this is Sherry Bradley Junior inviting you to stay tuned for another message of God's sovereign grace and a and and in and in and in and in a and in a and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and and a and a and and and and and this is a five Sunday month and so it is important that we hear from our listeners and expenses this time were greater than usual.

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Address your letter to the Baptist Bible. Our box 17 oh 37, Cincinnati, OH 45217, or you can go to our website at Baptist Bible our dock or can make a donation there and you can review articles and sermons that we have available and in and will and in books written about equipped with church to be. Some of them are good, some of them are not led to different ideas about what it takes to have a solid church that brings honor and glory to Jesus Christ. Often this concern about how the church be relevant in this day when there are so many changes going on in our culture. What can we do to appeal to the young people what special things can we offer well. There are many opinions of course about what a church should look like and there are those that watered down the message so people can feel good about themselves and then admit that I go to certain church because I can pick up my cup of coffee in the lobby ship that have resected with pew I can drink my coffee and I know that it's going to be a short sermon is when I like the short sermons and I like the fact that when it's finished.

I feel good about myself. Well you know there's some things in Scripture that were not put in there to make you feel something to convicting, and we need to have the whole counsel of God, and some depend on musical performances and even flashing lights trying to attract people but where's the best place we can go to get the information as to what the church on look like. I don't think there's a better place.

A better book to click and read them to go to the book of acts look at acts chapter 2 beginning with the 42nd verse. Acts chapter 2, verse 42 and they continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers and fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done by the apostle and all that believed were together and had all things in common and so their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had me pay continuing daily with one accord in the temple and breaking bread from house to house to eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people and the Lord added to the church daily such as should be say first thing we see is faithfulness. 3000 people were converted on the day of Pentecost. What a powerful message is the Lord and able Peter to preach, pointing out the fact that they had crucified and slain the Lord of glory, calling them to repentance, calling on them when they repented to be baptized, and 3000 respond have been some wonderful meetings when there are eight, 10, even as many as 18 or 20 came forward and profess their faith in Christ, etc. uplifting best choice.

Can you imagine 3000 in their first love 3000 rejoicing in the people observing that rejoicing is well found there was faithfulness because they continued says their conversion was genuine wasn't just that profession made in the moment of excitement and then soon forgotten as they drifted away in back to the world. No there profession was not just a passing emotional experience but says they were continually devoting themselves to the service of God. This is an evidence of genuine faith. John chapter 8 verse 31 says, if ye continue in my word, then Re: my disciples in person. I start out on the right track. Make a profession of being a disciple of Jesus Christ saying I want to follow him and serve him, but the evidence that they are a true disciple is that they continue saying something about make a profession of faith become a member of the church look like you want to be one of the most enthusiastic members.

It then little by little, they drifted away and you soon find that they had turned their back entirely on the profession that they had me but that was not the case with these people. They were steadfast in their devotion, their commitment to Christ was not halfhearted. It was the center of their life. This is this is what they were put there doing their faithfully continuing steadfastly in the apostles doctrine how easy it is.

Even with the best intentions to be distracted to be called up with some worldly interest may be be so involved in your work or your business or become so involved and interested in sports or whatever it might be, but it chewed off thanks you not continuing steadfastly and enthusiastically as a disciple of Jesus Christ and the second thing we see here is Dr. they continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine. Some would say that Dr. nears the vice chief, and it shouldn't be brinks well. Indeed, it is divisive because it divides truth from error, but it is to be proclaimed.

First Timothy chapter 4 verse six Paul is speaking to this young minister and says if the output brethren in remembrance of these things that something a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained emphasis then is put on the importance of believing and preaching. Dr. this is what Paul the apostle is telling his son in the ministry. In verse 11 of the same chapter. These things command and teach in verse 13, until I come give attendance to reading to education.

Dr. Joel, this young man was exhorted to study if he was going to preach to others. He needed to prepare himself. He needed to give attendance to reading and to education exhorting others, encouraging others and to Dr. so what we talk about the lyc�e doctrine is essential. Obviously, there are some basics if we have to start with we need to preach the truth about God, that God is sovereign God has all power works as well in the arm and haven't been among the inhabitants of the earth, and none things they intend to send it what Lewis God is the creator that B like there was light spoke about this world into existence created man breathed into his nostrils the breath of life he became a living soul.

We need to recognize the absolute sovereignty, authority and power of God, and certainly hold to the doctrine of the Trinity that there is but one God, but he is three persons of the father, the son of the Holy Spirit can exhale much more than I can comprehend but will have to admit that it's something beyond us to be able to fully grasp how is it that these three are one. Jesus said when he is here I my father are one, but that's what the Scriptures declare so we embrace it, not because we have clear and complete understanding of the because that's what Jesus taught and we believe it to be the truth. The truth of the Trinity must they proclaim the truth of the deity of Jesus Christ son Joey was a good man.

He was a notable teacher but deny that he was the son of God. There are some groups who even want to find themselves as Christians who deny his deity is no way that you can be a Christian and then I think Jesus Christ is anyone's, how could you say that he was a great teacher in 40 talk wasn't so we want to uphold and preach the doctrine of the deity of Christ in certain conjunction with that to declare the truth of the Scriptures forgiveness but about inspiration and not just the rambling writings of man. They were written as the spirit of God directed them so they are authoritative.

We are to receive them, embrace them wholeheartedly. We thank God for the blessing of having his word and never to come to the matter of salvation. Everyone emphasized the truth that salvation is by grace, looks at me means it will be given something you don't deserve.

You're not entitled to. You have no works are married and the work that you've ever performed a temporal form that would attract the favor of God but God before the foundation of the world make choice of the people predestinated them to be conformed to the image of his son in time. He calls them and draws them to the power the Holy Spirit transforms them, making them new creatures in Christ Jesus supports them, holds them up.

Teach them by his power, and someday they will be glorified. How wonderful to see that the whole scheme of salvation is based not on free will, but on free grace and on we could go with the multitude of other issues that are sent certainly vital.

We want to be faithful and preaching the basic doctrines of God's word and then as the word is preach when it's taught each person must apply. Each person must apply and grow in its in acts 17 verse 11 Paul said these were more noble than those in Thessalonica now to read that that's a bit astounding to me because when I go to the first at the Thurston first Thessalonians for the first Thessalonians chapter 1 impressed with how to read about those in Thessalonica, he said, going by the blood of your election about how you know that because when he preached to them they receive the gospel.

They were seated in the mix of much affliction and yet with the joy of the Holy Ghost, and they turn from idols to serve the true and living God. But now Paul says to these you're more noble than those in Thessalonica in that they received the word with all readiness of mind and here's the point. Search the Scriptures daily, whether these things were so they didn't just give their assent when the herd breaks but they search the Scriptures they read scriptures, how Fidelity's that we all understand.

Sometimes a person say to me will I been reading through the difficult part of the Bible I just I can't understand some of the symbols in the book of Ezekiel, I think sense of that figurative language in the book of Revelation, but there plenty places you can understand it and understand that text leaves here a few weeks ago, rejoice evermore in understand that in understand that when he says the EE thankful so the particular understand and pray that God will give you understandings of the rest of like what somebody said about the book of Revelation. In spite of the fact that much of it is difficult to understand. You do know when you finish the book Jesus wins. So if you get that out of it.

You got a message to know that shortly his purpose is going to be accomplished in his name is going to be exalted, and so they search the Scriptures.

They were faithful in their attention to the preached word and they were not turning from it.

They gladly receive the word and became their God for their life. The third thing we see concerning this first church that took his place to come for our pattern is the very first pond we see prayer was an important part of their involvement in serving God. Every prayer even before this day of Pentecost when there were such blessings bestowed and so many were converted back in the first chapter the book of acts, verse 14 it says these all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus and his brother, so there was a prayer meeting before Pentecost prayer is such a vital part of all of our lives individually and certainly an important part of the church. If we neglect to pray and were trying to just move forward based on our own wisdom in our own energy's fault.

The fatal need to be praying for one another. Just like when you read the names of those that are sick and have various needs. I know it's difficult to remember the moment we put them in the church newsletter to help you, but you know, you may let some of those passion really think to pray about, but having one of those that was at home at one time, needing prayer I can tell you that when you're the one that needs the prayer you want to know that people are taking the request seriously and are praying for you and we need to pray for one another, not only the physical needs, but the spiritual need, but these people were praying before Pentecost.

Generally, when there's going to be an outpouring of the Spirit of God the spirit of revival. It's going to be when there has been prayer and then they continued faithfully in prayer. According to the second chapter verse 42, even after they had persecution persecution from the priest that opposed their message as they preached Jesus Christ being the Messiah. The captain of the temple, the Sadducees, it said opposing but in chapter 4. Acts chapter 4 verse 29 it says, and now Lord, there being thoroughly threatened or been told you can't pretend more. In Jesus name solely on I don't give up was nice while it lasted but we have to quit because we have such opposition. Now here's what to do and now Lord, the holder threatenings and grant unto thy servants that with all boldness they may speak thy word.

Verse 31 and when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with so they did not let threats because of the cave in and give up. They prayed for good for you to read that entire fourth chapter later today and just see how they reviewed what they believed about the greatness and power of God being confident that he was able to deliver them. And he gave them a holy boldness that we need. We need so much the very presence of the Spirit of God able to speak the truth in love, and yet with boldness in such power that the spirit of God is using it, impressing it up on people's hearts so the church must be a praying church. Romans chapter 12 verse 13 says continuing instant in prayer, continuing instant, constant, persistent, not giving up. This is instruction to the church, continuing instant in prayer. Colossians chapter 4 verse one says continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.

First Thessalonians chapter 5 verse 17 says pray without ceasing, prayer eliminates worry worry is a sin, and if we take our burdens to the Lord. Worry can be eliminated and suggested what were told in Philippians chapter 4. The fourth verse, rejoice on landlord and again I say rejoice. I am unable to do that make your requests known, with thanksgiving, so if you're praying right. You start with thanksgiving, you recognize the goodness and mercy of God. The many benefits that he is bestowed upon you.

You give thanks for prayer also involves forgiveness. Jesus in the sermon on the Mount, Matthew chapter 6 verse 12 as talk the disciples, they said, teach us to pray, and here's part of what he said and forgive us our debts as we forgive our new pray that prayer can you go before the Lord and they say Lord forgive me of my sins as high have forgiven others, or do you hold something against someone else, someone that you feel has stepped out of line. Maybe you neglected to go to them according the destruction of Galatians chapter 5 of the brother be overtaken and followed the spirit to go to them and restoring Genet.net and you're holding something in your heart against the UK pray this prayer list with all sincerity you forgive others. Lord forgive me, like I have forgiven others promotes love eliminates worry involves forgiveness and promotes love. Philippians chapter 1 verse three I thank my God upon every remembrance of you always in every prayer of mine for you all making West with possible love the people to whom the ministry and any man that will ever be effective at all and use of God must love the people that I'm interested about that young man come to me and say you been in the ministry, long time. What's the first piece of advice you would give say the first advice I would give you if you go to pastor a church if you go to minister to people with us to a congregation of the people individually, you've got to love it has to be that love that is there because of the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit. Love is the fruit of the spirit and then next we see fellowship. I had fellowship with one another.

It's our duty to encourage each other. Romans 14 the 19th verse. Let us therefore follow after the things that make for peace and things wherewith one may edify another much work for peace. That being the case you want to say something that's going to be disturbing. I'm not talking about ignoring error and covering it up or ignoring since there are ways to deal with it.

In general, our concern is to follow after the things that make for peace and see how we can edify one another. If our concern is edify one another.

When I go to want to discourage them. So were not going to be saying something bringing up something that's going to be divisive or is going to be discouraged.

That's of no benefit.

Sometimes people say well I just don't have that much in common with people that are in the church." Now what does it really mean subtyping think of heaven fellowship because they all support the same vaulting I think of heaven fellowship because they belong to the same political party. They can talk all know about that, but not fellowship with talk about fellowship in Jesus Christ. What would happen, here's Joe born in China speaks Chinese and does very well speaking English. I was born in Kentucky last week is content is no way I can learn Chinese.

So what Joe and I haven't, it came from different parts of the world speak different languages, but we have in common because we both Jesus believe Jesus has touched our heart and given us fellowship and he cheese and encourage and I appreciate her example in her testimony. We must encourage one another more.

He will be in there a lot of opinions about church should be the best place for us to go get pattern. An example is the word of God we been looking at acts chapter 2 verses 42 to 47. Noting some of the things that were very evident in the activities of the church in that early time. Lord help us to hear the teaching of his word.

Bring glory to Jesus Christ, the head of the church next week. At the same time of the Lord richly bless you be the Baptist Bible hour is come to you under the direction of Elder Lucero Bradley Junior, pastor of the Cincinnati primitive Baptist Church address all mailed to the Baptist Bible hour Cincinnati, OH 45217. That's the Baptist Bible are Cincinnati, OH 45217 and he will