Keep Your Fork

Scripture Reading

Acts 1:15 (ESV)

In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said,

Opening Hymn: 245 More About Jesus

Closing Hymn: 348 The Church Has One Foundation

The Before & After

1. Before and after photos of a diet—we all get sucked in by the promise that if you follow this diet you’ll look great.

2. In the Bible there’s a before and after picture of the church:

Matthew 28:17 (ESV)

And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted.

Acts 2:1 (NKJV)

When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord [Gk: homothymadon = with one mind or one passion] in one place.

The picture of the church before Christ’s departure was one of doubt, uncertainty and disbelief. It was still grieving, still hurt. A church that felt lonely and isolated.

But after His departure the church is transformed and nothing epitomises this more than the statement in

Acts 1:15 ESV

In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said,

Peter Stood Up

How does a church not only come to terms with the departure of Jesus their Saviour, their Rabbi

but then accept Peter to stand in their midst in the place where Jesus should be standing?

This is the same Peter who denied Jesus publicly!

How could such a man stand in the midst of the church without a revolt?

Change Will Come

Acts 1

They put aside all misconceptions (7-8)

They didn’t go their separate ways, they came together (12-13)

They prayed as a unified body

They humbled themselves by accepting the authority of Peter (15)

The Word of God took centre stage (16)

They went to work (24-26)

Act 2

They waited on the Lord (1)

They shared the word God (6)

They were happy (41)

They sacrificed everything (45)

They were transformed from a grieving church to a church of praise (45-47)

As a result the church grew (47)

Conclusion

There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. So as she was getting her things 'in order,' she contacted her Pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes… The young woman explained. 'My grandmother once told me this story, and from that time on I have always tried to pass along its message to those I love and those who are in need of encouragement. In all my years of attending socials and dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, 'Keep your fork.' It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming...like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance!' So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder 'What's with the fork?' Then I want you to tell them: 'Keep your fork . . . the best is yet to come.'