[vimeo 90601914 w=500 h=281]
Chuck Foreman – Teaching Pastor
Has anyone ever wondered where all those passages are in the New Testament instructing Christians to “share their faith”, “witness”, and be “soul winners” ? I can only think of one that comes close to presenting the idea of Christians giving some kind of overt verbal testimony about their faith. (But I’m not going to tell you where it is. Let me know if you can come up with it.) However, the New Testament record is clear that our Christian ancestors did have a “testimony.” There was something about them that did win the attention and approval of outsiders. It was deeper than and more profound than their verbal message. This is what it was…are you ready?…
It was the life they were living in community together and their love for each other that got the attention of outsiders. Notice how Luke, the historian, describes what he saw happening in Jerusalem in the first century AD: “All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:44-47) It wasn’t so much what they were saying—it was what they were doing, how they were living with each other that moved people on the outside to consider their message and join them in following Jesus.
Jesus himself said, “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35) Have you seen the testimony of your life and your relationship with other Followers of Jesus cause outsiders to consider joining you in following Jesus? Share your experience with us here.
fccphx 
Dear friends. My name is Tom and I had the privilege of joining you as a visitor for both services this last Sunday. What a blessing to hear such a practical message on community and how to meet the needs and take care of others while fulfilling our personal mission of devoting ourselves to the teaching of the scriptures, prayer, fellowship, and the breaking of bread. Later in the day I again was blessed and humbled to witness these things first hand as I too was able to fellowship, pray, read the scriptures and eat with some of your believers, most of whom I had never met before (Jon Taylor’s community small group). I live in Joplin Missouri and will not be able to be a part of your local community for obvious reasons, however, we “have everything in common” as it says in verse 44 because we are all in awe of HIS magnificence and are working towards expanding the body of believers not only where we call home but around the world as well. FCC supports the work of Good News Productions, International (GNPI) through your missions outreach. I work at GNPI and while you are meeting the needs of those in the center of Phoenix, we are working hard on your behalf to expand your community around the globe to many people groups that you may never have the privilege to meet. Thanks for your prayers, and financial support of GNPI, and thank you for ministering to my wife and I this past Lords day as we saw the fellowship of believers at work. May God bless you all, and may the Lord add to your numbers daily as you serve HIM!
P.S. Congratulations to the young lady that was baptized! Keep up the good work!