The VISION of MPC  is  FLOCKS That are & Praying Praising

       F ellowship - Acts 2:42, 46
       L eadership Development - Acts 2:42, 46
       O utreach - Acts 2:41, 47
       C aring - Acts 2:44, 45
       K nowledge - Acts 2:42, 46
       S ervice - Acts 2:44, 46
         that are:
           Praying - Acts 2:42
           Praising - Acts 2:46, 47

Our Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 is to: Make Disciples. How did the early church help new Christians grow so that they could also become effective in making disciples? The life of the early church in Acts 2:41-47 gives us at least eight things which helped Christians to grow and mature. These could be summarized by the statement:

We are to develop FLOCKS that are Praying and Praising.                          

Fellowship  (Acts 2:42, 46) was a very important part of the life of the early church as they gathered together in small groups. Verse 42 tells us that they continued in fellowship and Bible study. Verse 46 tells us that they continued daily in the temple and from house to house. The early Christians gathered in small groups for Bible study and fellowship. They also scattered for intimate fellowship from house to house where they could minister to one another.

Leadership Development (Acts 2:42, 46) was also a very important part of the life of the early church. This development of leadership was occurring on at least three different levels. One-to-one (house to house) meetings gave Christians opportunities to discuss and answer questions of individuals. Small groups gathered for Bible study and fellowship which provided opportunities to learn to lead small groups. Larger groups were meeting in the temple which helped large group leadership develop.

Outreach (Acts 2:41, 47) Outreach was a very strong emphasis in the early church and resulted in people being added to the church every day.

Caring (Acts 2:44, 45) for the needs of others was also an important part of the life of the early church. The early church realized that everything belongs to the Lord. Christ had taught that His followers were to be good stewards of the things which He had entrusted to them. As a result, they looked for opportunities to meet the needs of others.

Knowledge (Acts 2:42, 46) and of His Word was very necessary for the new Christians to be obedient to the Word. As they gathered together, it was for Bible study and fellowship. As they learned the teaching of Christ and became obedient to them, it also caused them to focus on the death and resurrection of Christ as they broke bread together.

Service (Acts 2:44, 46) one another was one of the ways that the early Christians showed their love for God and for one another. They were together. They ate meals together. They invited one another into their homes. There was a singleness of heart which was shown by their actions to help one another.

THAT ARE:
Praying (Acts 2:42 ) was an essential part of the life of the early church. When they got together for Bible study and fellowship, they also prayed together and for each other.

Praising (Acts 2:46, 47) Praise was a vital part of the life of the early church. The word that is translated "praising" always speaks of praise to God so praise was God centered rather than man centered as they gave all glory to God.