Three Characteristics of the Church...a free sermon outline

1. The Early (Apostolic) Church was Biblical
*It had a Biblical world-view
*The leaders were teachers of the Word
*The Apostles teaching or doctrine was...
Repentance (Acts 2:39;3:19)
Redemption (Acts 2:40; 3:19)
Resurrection (Acts 2:23-24;31-32; 3:10)
Return (Acts 1:11; 3:20)

2. The Early (Apostolic) Church was functioning
*What shall we do? (Acts 2:37; 9:6)
*Three functions of the Church
Make Disciples (Matthew 28:18-20)
Engage in Spiritual Warfare (Acts 19:11-20; Ephesians 6:10-20)
Worship God (John 4:23-24; Acts 2:47)

3. The Early (Apostolic) Church was a community
*They were together
they learned together
they had fellowship together
they ate together
they prayed together
they shared their belongings with those in need
they were in one accord together everyday

Look over the three characteristics and tell me what is missing or neglected in modern churches in America. Be careful not to have your head in the sand. Let's be honest here.

Starter thoughts:
Does your life reflect the firm belief that Jesus could return at any second?
Do you know how to do spiritual warfare with demons and principalities?
Does your community reflect "being together" as listed above?

For those of you pastors who this late in the week still have no sermon for Sunday, here's a great outline for you compliments of Richard Greene and me for the time it took to type this in for you.