Part 5: Kingdom Community

March 5, 2023

INTRO

Acts 2:42–47 ESV

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.

PEOPLE IN KINGDOM COMMUNITY HAVE...

1)…DEVOTION (v.42,46)

vs. 42

to hearing and learning the Word of God.

to being together in corporate fellowship

to remembering the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus

to prayer

vs. 46

to worshipping together

to private fellowship

to joy and generosity

All of these things required intentionality and determined purpose.

Their devotions were not lackadaisical or just something that maybe they could fit in if there wasn’t something else going on.

As Christians we need to commit to being devoted to the Word and to the Church, that is, one another.

2)…ANTICIPATION (v.43)

“Awe” or “fear” shows a reverent expectation or a holy anticipation for the newly gathered Kingdom people of God.

If we are not careful, we will think this was a result of the wonders and signs done by the apostles, but given the context of the verse, it would be more appropriate to see these two things distinctively.

Of the modern translations, only the NIV makes these two things directly connected. The other translations keep a distinction.

A new community, emerging from various cultures and backgrounds of mostly jews who were held to pharisaical laws, are now gathering into something genuine and real.

They were in awe because they had a devotion to the Church and a holy anticipation that their lives would never be the same…and they couldn’t get enough of it!

This is why they continued to gather day after day. And yes, the apostles were doing wonders and signs (probably healings, like we will see next week), but that was only a part of the awe and anticipation…not the substance of it.

The substance of the people awe and anticipation was the Holy Spirit at work in their lives and in their community!

We need to ask God to remove our jadedness and bless us with fresh eyes and anticipation for the Holy Spirit to move in our gathered Kingdom Community

3)…UNITY (v.44-45)

Uniformity does not mean conformity, yet much of their unity came from being like-minded as they were Christ-focused.

They were committed to one another and to putting the needs of others above themselves.

If someone had a need, they were generous to meet that need.

Most often, a united church is a generous church. Part of their devotion to the Word and to one another was moving beyond ideology and into practice.

They gave freely and generously with glad and sincere hearts. (vs. 46)

When a Kingdom person is devoted to Kingdom community they are united and invested.

They will say, “This is my church!” but’s from a heart and a place of devoted belonging, not one of possession.

When a person thinks of “my church” in a sense of possession, then unity is broken not built, because eventually everything becomes about them.

When a person things of “my church” in a sense of devoted belonging, then unity is built, because everything is about Jesus and His Kingdom.

When this is “my church” we are united in a like-minded, Christ-focus where are joyfully generous to God’s glory!

4)…DEPENDENCY (v.45, 47)

They were dependent on each other.

They opened up about their needs so others could meet their needs.

There was genuine humility and a strong desire to serve one another.

They were dependent on God.

It wasn’t the ministry methodology or 7 steps of a growing church mentality...

It was the LORD who adding to their numbers as they lived out their convictions with unity, anticipation, and devotion.

May we come to a place in our own lives and in our own hearts where we see the church as more than just a part of our lives. May we come to the place where the Church is the best way to describe who we are because we are God’s Kingdom people living in Christ’s Kingdom community.

CLOSING

GOD’S PEOPLE ARE CALLED

INTO KINGDOM COMMUNITY!

WILL YOU COMMIT TO A GROWING DEVOTION, ANTICIPATION, UNITY, AND DEPENDENCY ON JESUS AND HIS GATHERED PEOPLE?