INGREDIENTS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH
Acts 4:24; 29; 31-33

(Acts 2:46-47)  "And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, {47} Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."

Introduction:     There are ways others can tell if we have been with Jesus. Here we find some key ingredients of an effective church. An effective church is obedient to their mission and magnifies Jesus Christ.

I.          THEY POSSESSED GREAT POWER (V.33A)
The early church was born in revival and experienced the manifestation of God's Holy Spirit. They prayed because of their burden (expound the threat). (Illust. R.G. Lee would not quit.)  I can't quit because of THE CROWD I run WITH, THE CROWN I run TO, and THE CHRIST I run FOR! The filling ministry of the Holy Spirit:

            A.        Filled Individually (v.8)
(Rom 8:9)  (Eph 1:13) 

            B.         Filled Institutionally (v.31)
The place was shaken. Our churches need a shaking today by the power of God, an awareness that God has met with us.

            C.        Filled Instantaneously (v.31)
It takes no longer for God to fill you with the Holy Spirit than it does to believe God's promise for the filling!  (Luke 11:13)  "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?"

II.         THEY POSSESSED GREAT GRACE (V.33B)

            A.        It Consists Of Love (v.32a)

            B.         It Consists Of Liberality (v.32b)

            C.        It Consists Of Loyalty (vv.34,35)
Revival in the early church was the result of God's people paying the price and being filled with the Holy Spirit. This is the biblical order in the New Testament church!

III.       THEY POSSESSED A GREAT CONCERN (VV.24-29)

            A.        The Blessing Of Prayer (v.24)

            B.         The Basis Of Prayer (v.28)

            C.        The Burden Of Prayer (vv.29,30)
They didn't pray for protection, but for power! They did not pray for the fire to fall and devour their enemies, but that the fire would fall on them and set them on fire for Him!

Conclusion:       If others are to see that we have been with Jesus, we must walk before God with a holy reverence, a servant attitude, and a heart of concern for others. With these key ingredients we can accomplish the mission God has set before us. He will bless, however, the greater the blessing the greater the obligation.