Acts 2 Part 3
Notes
Transcript
The Early Church
The Early Church
Good morning!
I trust you’ve had a good week.
Today we are going to come back to Acts chapter 2, and we are doing this for the 3rd time, there is so much in that chapter, it takes a little while to unpack it all for us to see...
This last portion of chapter 2 deals with the early church. As the body of Christ grew there in Jerusalem, what was happening with them?
How did they act? What did they do? How was Christ exemplified in and through their lives?
And how did they impact the world around them?
These are great questions to ask...
And we ask those questions in the hopes of determining is the church (Not just our church, but the church universal) , is the church today healthy and active in the world.
So lets open up the Word of God… Acts 2:42-47
42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
So remember, last week we looked at Peter’s message as he preached to those who came to see that was happening as the Holy Spirit entered the world and had rested upon the lives of those 11 and others in the upper room.
Peter preached and they were cut to the heart, repenting and being baptized more than 3000 were added to the church.
And so the early church is birthed and these believers are serving together for the Lord. And so with these thoughts, listen to what we see today...
1. They Were Devoted to the Apostles Teaching....
I think the most important truth we see is what God mentions to us the readers of Acts right here in the text first... The Bible says in verse 42 that they those early believers were devoted to the Apostles teaching..
I like that word “devoted” it is the giving oneself over to something or someone faithfully. They saw the teaching as Important, necessary and they were hungry for it friends…
They understood it was essential as the air we breathe.
Think of this, just has Jesus taught those 11 and so many others, so the Apostles in turn are teaching those whom God has placed under their leadership.
Now, just pause and ask, What did Jesus teach those disciples about?
Well, we know this.... He taught them about the Kingdom of God, His role under the Father’s direction as Messiah and of course about his upcoming death, burial and resurrection.
So then, these Apostles are teaching those under them the same things.
They are teaching people about the Old Testament, how it relates to the Messiah, They are teaching about the Kingdom of God, Jesus life, including his miraculous birth, His public ministry and of course the sacrificial death, burial, resurrection.
They are teaching those things that Jesus taught during those 40 days after the resurrection and of course His ascension ,and now the coming of the Holy Spirit into the world.
And they are teaching that Jesus will return one day to gather His bride the church and take them away...
There is is so much for these new followers and others to learn as it related to Jesus and God’s plan through the Great Commission.
My friends the Word of God is faithful and it is the true standard for living. Consider Hebrews 4:12
12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Consider that first phrase, the Word of God is alive and active...
Why is that… because it isn’t just a book, It is the written revelation of God to man. It is alive because He is alive. It is active and alive not only because we associate it with the Father, but also remember who the Word is, the “Logos” refers to Jesus.
Remember John 1:1
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
The word, the Logos cannot be separated here, Jesus is alive and so the Word is alive.
And if it is alive, it is necessary for life, and thus we should incorporate the Word of God into every day life.
I would challenge you, if they were devoted to it… we should be as well.
It i sour standard for living… What it says do… and what it prohibits, stay away from...
Now go back to Hebrews 4:12, not only is it alive, “.... but the word is sharper than a two edged sword. piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
The sword of the Lord, (HIs word) can expose the very life of man, it can lay bear the heart and thoughts of man, showing what is rebellious and sinful, leaving us to stand before God waiting his judgment for our life...
The word of God is there to allow us to see what is wrong in our life and allow us to stand before a holy God, seeking His help to change and renew this life from death unto life at every turn..
The Word of God, it brings life...
So devote yourselves to the living and active Word of God that is able to make its way into every portion of life and bring about a great effect to help you along with the power of the Holy Spirit to change you and make you more like Jesus.
Now, lets move on to the second thought...
2. They Believed in Fellowship....
Now you might wonder why fellowship is important.... Lets consider the word itself....
As I thought about these words, I was reminded of these words “No man is an Island unto himself....”… We cannot exist alone.
We need each other my friends, God made us for each other.
The Greek word for fellowship here is Koinonia, and it refers to a close relationship with one another. In the Scriptures it has a rich meaning of a holy unity for the church.
Review the passage...
42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
Remember as a body of believers, we are not independent, just as the physical body is made up of many parts, so is the church. We are not the head, Jesus is..
So Jesus is the head AND all of us, we make up the body and we need each other more than ever in a dark world.
What does fellowship do?
Fellowship provides community: People need a place to belong, a place that has like minded people who act in a responsible way to support one another. In providing community, it is a home!
Fellowship contributes to the work of ministry: When we are together we have a great opportunity to bless and help the kingdom of God expand. Paul testified that he was thankful for the partnership of the church at Phillipi,
3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.
They (the church at Philippi) like other churches supported and helped Paul from the start, and Paul says here that his success is in part because of their prayers, support and love.
Fellowship takes care of each other… When we are in fellowship with one another we love each other, we pray for one another and we also try to meet each others needs.
Look with me at verses 44 and 45 Acts 2:44-45
44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.
Now I am not promoting a commune style life, it was necessary for them in that day and time because of the life situation they were in, along with the early persecution from outward groups.
So it was for their good that they stay close to one another, help each other, provided for and encourage each other.
I like the end of verse 45, they tried to meet the needs of those in their midst… Fellowship brought a sense of responsibility.
Even today we try to do that, we try to help one another as we are able. Why? we exist together… it is our responsibility to help each other as we can...
My friends fellowship isn’t just a meal, it is the positive interaction of one with another, supporting, caring for and encouraging, building each other up for the battle that will come the next day.
It is not isolation, By no means.... it is the concerted effort to love and care for one another so that we are empowered to go outward.
How can you bless and help each other in fellowship?
Love one another, Pray for one another, Building each other up so that we can take the gospel to the world.
We need each other and we need to fellowship with one another...
Here is a great question...Do you know the lives and needs of those around you?
So fellowship is important, they were devoted to teaching,
3. They Worshiped Together...
Friends, one of the greatest joys we have as the body of Christ is this right here, we are worshipping together.
What is worship? Worship is the ability to express honor, respect and reverence to God and God alone, it is the giving of our voice, our very breath to him in praise.
And we do this because we know, there is none like Him, He alone is God . There are no other gods or demigods… Just God and He is worthy.
Lets go back to the text today.... Acts 2:46-47
46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
So look here, every day they were faithful in living for God. They went to the temple together, they broke bread in their homes and were praising God.
There was corporate worship happening at the temple daily. So that met, heard the word of God as read by the priests, and they enjoyed their time there. Now I know they were following Jesus but they didn’t mean they couldn’t worship God the Father there in the temple.
Jesus led them there to worship, to hear his teaching and so they came there and honored and worshipped the Lord their God. Even if you look forward, Acts 5 we see those early disciples, with the Apostles worshipping at Solomon’s portico.... and this is most likely were they are at here.
Another aspect of worship was the breaking of bread. This isn’t just a meal, but it is what was happening after the meal. The breaking of bread here refers to the Lord’s Supper or as some call it, communion.
In taking the Lord’s Supper they were remembering and giving thanks to God for his Son, Jesus , who came and gave all, laid down His life as an atonement for sin, He took our sin to save us and gave unto all who call upon the name of the Lord, the precious gift of salvation.
We thank him for that....
Remember what Paul tells the church at Corinth about the Lord’s table, when the did it. I Cor 11:26
26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
My friends, taking the bread and the cup is one of the most solemn forms of worship that we partake it here at the church. It is special and wonderful. If your heart is not open and touched by God in this time something is amiss.
And finally, here thinking about worship, the Bible says they prayed. We don’t often think of it my friends, but our times of prayer while gathered together, is a form of worship,
It brings us into the presence of Almighty God. Do you remember what Paul said in I Thess 5:16-18
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Do you think that sounds like worship??? Yes! I rejoice in who my God is, I pray, spend time with Him, seeking His face. giving thanks ...
My friends if you are not praying daily, regularly you are missing something wonderful.
Prayer not only brings us to God but is one of the vehicles whereby we hear and know the will of God.
If you are not praying regularly and powerfully, you are missing out.
Now there is just one last thing I want to share with you here,
4. God added to their Number Daily....
We do not often think of this, but my friends, but in all this, they were blessed by God.
How do I know this? listen to verse 47
47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Here is a little truth I want to share with you...
As they walked with God, … you ready? God walked with them.
Wow....
He blessed them and that blessing of God was seen in two very unique ways my friends.
A. Luke says that found favor with all the people.... suddenly these people who had been treated as outcasts, heretics for following Jesus… well God has changed the minds of some.
To find favor means to be accepted and or well liked. Suddenly, God has changed their reputation with the world around them. Wow.. Well you know what that does… It changes the impact of the early church. People seeing them in a different light means people were find them in good terms. They were trusting them and receiving the message of Jesus.
How do I know this....
Well that is answered in second part of this verse..
B. God added to their number daily those who were being saved. You see as the reputation changes, and people view them in a different light, as they open their hearts to the message, people are being saved.
And there is the fulfillment of the mission of the church. We exist to worship, encourage and pray, to build each other up and to carry the gospel to the world so that people are saved.
Now we know last week, right after Peter preached 3000 were added and now God is telling us that He is adding more and more each day.
Yes!
That is awesome...
And I believe with all my heart that God wants to use each of us to help see that happen even today. but we have to be willing.
Are you willing to help in some way to bring the gospel to the world around you… Then are you praying, worshipping...
As the church, the body of Christ our efforts are to see people saved.
I would ask you, are you doing your best?
Then as a church are we doing our best?
I think in both of those, there is room to improve, don’t you.
Then lets do this....
Pray