Live Free with Josh Howerton

As the early church continued to grow, the apostles realized they needed help caring for the people. Instead of trying to do everything themselves, they wisely chose other qualified people to serve those in need. God gifts different people for different areas of service because He loves seeing everyone in the church working together. How can you use the gifts God has given you for the benefit of the church?  For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

Ananias and Sapphira saw how Barnabas was praised for his generosity, and they wanted the recognition, too. They tried to lie to Peter and the church, but the Spirit cannot be deceived. By faking their generosity, they revealed that they did not have a proper fear of the Lord. Their deception cost them their lives. What about you? Do you live in awe of the God of the universe who loves you, or do you seek the temporary praise of man? For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

The early church in Jerusalem was led by the Holy Spirit and shared what they had with each other. Luke, the author of Acts, singled out one generous individual named Joseph, aka Barnabas, who sold a field and brought it to the church to help those in need. This is not the only place Barnabas shows up in Acts. He also plays a key role in the life of a certain apostle named Saul, aka Paul. For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

In Acts 4, Peter and John were taken to the Sanhedrin after they preached about Jesus to the crowds. The religious leaders were angry and demanded that they stop telling others about Jesus. However, the two disciples responded courageously that they would always choose to listen to God, not man. Because of their courage, we can continue to share the good news with others today! For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

There was nothing special about Jesus’ disciples, but He still chose them to play a critical role in the most amazing story in history. After Jesus returned to heaven, two of the disciples, Peter and John, healed a paralytic and shared the good news of Jesus with the crowd. Even though the Pharisees were upset at the disciples, they couldn’t deny what they had seen. They recognized Peter and John had been with Jesus. Would people recognize that in you? For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

Today, we wrap up our week by looking at the birth of the church in Acts 2. These early believers lived dependently on the Lord. They knew that all they had was Him and their lives were centered around their Savior. What might someone else say is the center of your life? Is it on something temporary that will one day pass away, or is it the Creator of the universe who gave Himself up for you because of His infinite love?  For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

The last few verses of Acts 2 give us a glimpse of the early church. These new believers devoted themselves to fellowship with each other. They lived vulnerable lives in rich relationships with one another. Living like Christ in the power of the Spirit enables us to live sacrificially, humbly, and generously. May we live counterculturally like the early church so others are drawn to the God who saves.  For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

After Peter’s very first sermon in Acts 2, over 3,000 people believed! At the very beginning of the church, all the believers devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and caring for each other. Every day, God added to their number and these new believers wanted to hear more about Jesus. Do you have a teachable heart like theirs that is hungry for more of Jesus?  For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

As Jesus prepared to leave His disciples, He promised they would not be alone. He would send them a gift. In Acts 2, we can read the amazing story of when the gift of the Holy Spirit came to live inside all the believers. Empowered by the Spirit, those men and women shared the Good News of Jesus to everyone around them, and the church was born. For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive

Join us this week as we begin looking at the book of Acts. Just like the people of the early church, we need help outside ourselves to live in this world. Jesus saved them and He is willing to save us. Not only that, when we believe in Him, He lives in us. Think about that. The same Holy Spirit that we will see working through the people in Acts is in us, too! For more information, visit lakepointe.church/dailydrive