The church gathers, not to evangelize, though this can and sometimes does occur, but to worship its Lord and to edify one another in Christ.
I. Consecration to Christ is the overriding principle of any vibrant, successful church. (Acts 2:42a)
A. We must know complete consecration.
1. Positive suggestions on maintaining a full consecration to Christ.
a. We should keep Christ at the center of every thought and activity.
b. We should understand that there are earthly benefits to such consecration.
1) It will cause our knowledge to be enhanced.
2) It will result in consistent, encouraging fellowship.
3) Great friendship are established in such an atmosphere.
2. Negative suggestions for maintaining consecration.
a. We must make sure that our work does not consistently keep us from the gathering of the corporate body.
b. We must guard that our leisure time does not result in "reasons" for not attending church.
B. Complete consecration assumes continual consecration.
II. Consecration to Christ results in consecration to sound teaching, fellowship, communion, and prayer. (Acts 2:42b)
A. The church must continue steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine.
B. The church must continue steadfastly in fellowship.
C. The church must continue steadfastly in communion.
D. The church must continue steadfastly in prayers.