2. Go the Next Step to Develop a “Rule of Life”: Part 8 Acts 2:42-47

5. Develop a “Rule of Life” Acts 2:42-47

6. We all have a rule of life!!! What’s yours? Follow the in- crowd Keep options open Do what feels good Take the easy options Just survive! Work is ‘King’ Get rich Let it happen! Jesus centred Jesus centred Jesus centred

7. 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 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, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47

8. 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 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, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47

9. They devoted themselves... Jesus was the missing key They knew God

10. ...but, we live in ‘Athens’ and not ‘Jerusalem’! …When they (the Athenians) heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.” 33 At that, Paul left the Council. 34 Some of the people became followers of Paul and believed. Acts 17:32-34

11. Devotion Relationship Faith/Love 0 100 Knowledge When do we devote/commit ourselves? grows

12. Apostle’s Teaching Worship Fellowship (Gk. Sharing)Prayer Early church in Jerusalem devoted to... Breaking of Bread...selling property as needed...every day...filled with awe - signs and wonders...praising God and enjoying favour

13. Apostle’s Teaching Worship Fellowship (Gk. Sharing)Prayer Early church’s “rule of life” Early church’s “rule of life” Breaking of Bread

14. Prayer and Study Bible reading Silence and Solitude Daily Office Study Prayer and Study Bible reading Silence and Solitude Daily Office Study Rest Sabbath Simplicity – Tithing Play and recreation Rest Sabbath Simplicity – Tithing Play and recreation Activity Serving at church Acts of kindness Care of your body Activity Serving at church Acts of kindness Care of your body Relationships Emotional health Family Church family Wider community Relationships Emotional health Family Church family Wider community

15. To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.

16. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers— or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.'

17. But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.‘

18. I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. Luke 18:9-14 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30