Sermon Tone Analysis

Acts 2:41-47

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stephen Caswell © 2001

Blest Be The Ties That Bind

 

In 1765 John Fawcett was called to pastor a very small congregation at Wainsgate, England.

He labored there diligently for 7 years, but his salary was so meager that he and his wife could scarcely obtain the necessities of life.

Though the people were poor, they compensated for this lack by their faithfulness and warm fellowship.

Then Dr. Fawcett received a call from a much larger church in London, and after lengthy consideration decided to accept the invitation.

As his few possessions were being placed in a wagon for moving, many of his parishioners came to say good-bye.

Once again they pleaded with him to reconsider.

Touched by this great outpouring of love, he and his wife began to weep.

Finally Mrs. Fawcett exclaimed, O John, I just can’t bear this.

They need us so badly here.

God has spoken to my heart, too! he said.

Tell them to unload the wagon!

We cannot break these wonderful ties of fellowship.

This inspired Fawcett to write a hymn.

Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love!

The fellowship of kindred mind is like to that above.

Introduction

 

/Recently,/ we have looked at God's purpose for the Church.

So far we have seen */Evangelism,/* */Discipleship/* and*/ Ministry./*

Today we will look at /Fellowship./

One of the main strengths of the early Church was fellowship.

Today many people mistake /friendship for fellowship/.

Fellowship involves much more.

*/Fellowship/* koinwnia means */to have in common./*

*Acts 2:44 sums it up well.*

/Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common./

/Fellowship/ is translated into English with words such as */communion, share, participate, distribute/* and */partnership.

/*I want to draw out the main emphasis of fellowship demonstrated by the Early Church.

We will see three things that marked the fellowship of these N.T. saints.*/

They Believe God's Word, They Belong To God's Family, and Behave As God's Children.

/*

 

/Firstly     /They Believe God's Word

/ /

/a.

The Gospel/

/ /

*Acts 2:41* /Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.

/

/ /

*/Firstly,/* Christian fellowship is centered on Christ.

The early Church all shared the same conversion experience.

The three thousand gladly received the Gospel message.

This is important because there is only way to be saved and that's through Jesus Christ.

Christian fellowship requires a new relationship with God through Him.

*1 Corinthians 1:9 Says:* /God is faithful, by whom you were called into the *fellowship* of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

/

 

Paul expressed the same thing to the Philippian Church.*

Philippians* *1:3, 5* /I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, for your *fellowship in the gospel* from the first day until now.

/The Philippians believed the Gospel and then shared it with others.

They had */fellowship/* in the Gospel from the very first day that they believed.

That's what fellowship is.

To have in common the same Savior and the same Gospel.

True Christian fellowship must begin with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Only those who have received Christ can share fellowship with other believers.

Fellowship means */that we all believe and proclaim/* the Gospel.

/b.

Apostolic Doctrine/

/ /

*Acts 2:42*/ And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers./

/ /

The Gospel is only one part of God's Word.

Even though it is a very important part there is much more teaching than this.

The early disciples continued in the apostles doctrine.

This included teaching about the Godhead, baptism, communion, prophecy, Satan, judgment and many other subjects.

It is important that believers know the right doctrine.

We need to study our Bibles.

God revealed these things to unite us in the faith, not bring division.*

Ephesians 4:3-6* /Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

/Here Paul lists seven things that Christ's disciples have in common.

True disciples believe all this.

There can be no compromise on these doctrines.

Christian fellowship must be based on belief in God's Word.

Unity must be founded upon truth.

Whilst Jesus prayed that we might be one He placed this condition on it.

Jesus prayed that we might be one as He and the Father are one.

The Father and Son are in complete agreement on the truth.

In fact the right doctrine is so important that Jude* *tells us to defend it.

*Jude 3 */Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.

/Christian fellowship means */that we all believe and defend/* the doctrines of the Christian faith.

Application

 

Christian fellowship can only begin when someone believes the Gospel of Christ.

/Have you received the Gospel of Christ?

Are you sharing it with others?

Are you witnessing for the Lord?

Do you believe the doctrines of the Christian faith revealed in God's Word?

Are you studying them regularly?

Are you defending the faith once and for all delivered to the saints?

/Remember true Christian fellowship must be based upon faith in Christ and His Word.

/Secondly /They Belong To God's Family

 

/a.

Unity/  *Acts 2:44* /Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common./

*/Secondly,/* Christian fellowship is possible because we belong to God.

One of the best descriptions for the Church is a family.

We become part of God's family and the Father has only one family.

*Ephesians 3:14-15: */For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named.

/Because believers are God's children we belong to Him and each another.

This sense of belonging should motivate us to meet together.

Families should be united in heart and purpose.

The early disciples continually met together.

They enjoyed meeting together with their brothers and sisters.

This was because they had so much in common.

They all shared a new and exciting life in Jesus Christ.

There is a three way fellowship between believers and God.

*1 John 1:3*/ That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ./

The Gospel brings us into an intimate relationship with each member of the Godhead.