Acts 2:42-47

Introduction

Churches today do not lack finances, resources or property. What we do lack isn the power of the Holy Spirit working through our midst. We have ministries but these ministries are not producing life transforming activity in people’s lives - as they once did.

We are left with uncomfortable questions:

Is God done with America? Has He written Ichabod over our nation? A revival broke out in our nation in the late 70’s and early 80’s. This came on the heels of the social and civic revolt of the late 60’s and early 70’s.

Is our nation to wicked to be affected by the most powerful energy in the universe that produces a new birth - God’s grace? Romans 5:20 “Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:”

Has God changed? Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”

Have we changed - both individually and corporately as a church? Matthew 5:13–16 “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

Continued Steadfastly

Acts 2:42 “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”

Continued stedfastly - Persist obstinately, Adhere firmly - This is not easy, there will be battle. Navy Seals: The only easy day was yesterday. A Navy Seal book - No Easy Day. If it was not easy then how was this church in Jerusalem able to do so?

Resurrection of Jesus was fresh

3000 people, there salvation was fresh

They had a hunger for this community of believers to succeed.

Apostles Doctrine

The most important aspect of this church was not operations or ministry but truth!

The Church in Jerusalem understood the importance and premium on truth.

J. Vernon McGee - Now the question arises, how can you tell a true church from a false church? How can you tell the genuine from the counterfeit? Is it by the name that is out front, by the sound of the bell, by the fact that it has a pulpit and that a minister stands back of the pulpit, that there is a robed choir, that there are ushers, and the service opens by singing the doxology and closes with the benediction? The mark of a church is not the height of the steeple nor the sound of the bell. It is not whether the pulpit is stationed in the middle or the chancel is divided. The important issue is whether or not they hold to the apostles’ doctrine. Correct doctrine was one of the fingerprints of the visible church.

Too many Christians view doctrine as dry and boring. They want practicality, not doctrine. Sadly, the practical aspects of the Bible are birthed from doctrine. Then it is likely you will have a faulty view on the practical uses of the Bible.

John 17:17 “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”

John 8:32 “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

Matthew 7:24–28 “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:”

How do we know if we are embracing the apostles doctrine?

John 16:8 “And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:”

John 16:13 “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”

1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Fellowship - Partnership, participation

Adrian Rogers - Fellowship is not coffee and donuts. Fellowship is not as some people cutely say two people, two fellows in the same ship.

Sharing one’s life

Acts 2:1 “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.”

Sharing same passion

1 Timothy 3:14–16 “These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.”

This kind of fellowship demands the Holy Spirit:

2 Corinthians 13:14 “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.”

Illustration: tuning fork

Tertullian recounts that when the Roman government became suspicious of the early church, they sent spies into their services. The spies came back and said that the Christians were a peculiar type of folk – they did not have idols, instead they worshiped One by the name of Jesus, who was absent. Then they added, “How those Christians love each other; how they have fellowship (koinonia) one with the other.” That should be the mark of the Christian through all ages.

David Guzik has some practical descriptions of the what fellowship should look like among believers:

We share the same Lord Jesus.

We share the same guide for life.

We share the same love for God.

We share the same desire to worship Him.

We share the same struggles.

We share the same victories.

We share the same job of living for Him.

We share the same joy of communicating the gospel.

This is my church.

It is composed of people just like me.

It will be friendly if I am.

It will do a great work if I work.

It will make generous gifts to many causes if I am generous.

It will bring others into its fellowship if I bring them.

Its seats will be filled if I fill them.

It will be a church of loyalty and love, of faith and service.

If I who make it what it is, am filled with these, Therefore, with God’s help, I dedicate myself to the task of being all these things I want my church to be.

Breaking Bread

References the Lord Supper - based upon Acts 2:46 “And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,”

John Phillips says "In baptism we show our death with Christ; in breaking of bread we show His death for us."

In the early church the Lord’s table was often in conjunction with a unity feast.

Prayers

Prayer

Prefix - speaks of toward or immediately before

The word - to pray of vow

Prayer is towards God or in the presence of God.

Prayer is the slender nerve that moves the muscles of omnipotence.

Public praying

1 Timothy 2:1–4 “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”

Healthy Fear

Acts 2:43 “And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.”

To understand this verse, we need to know the meaning of certain words:

Miracles

Wonders

Signs

Acts 2:22 “Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:”

Example - Acts 3.

A healthy fear enveloped this church when God did an amazing work. Even though I believe the scriptures are absolutely clear on the cessation of the supernatural gifts - tongues, healing and prophecies - this does not mean that God is not doing supernatural things.

Often we do not see supernatural things within our church. This is not because God is not working supernaturally; rather, becasue we a re not verse 42, we are not experiencing these supernatural phenomenons.

I would argue one of the reasons are churches are cold today is becasue we do not have a healthy fear of God!

Christians have absurdly taken scripture out of context

2 Timothy 1:7 “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

Fear - timidity - showing a lack of courage and is easily frightened.

1 John 4:18 “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.”

Context - v.17 speaks of the day of judgement.

1 Peter 2:17 “Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.”

Fear - alarmed, frightened, awe, revere

Deuteronomy 10:12 “And now, Israel, what doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,”

I STAND IN AWE OF YOU (Another version) You are beautiful beyond description Too marvelous for words Too wonderful of comprehension Like nothing ever seen or heard Who can grasp you infinite wisdom Who can fathom the depth of Your love You are beautiful beyond description Majesty enthroned above.

And I stand, I stand in awe of You I stand, I stand in awe of You Holy God to Whom all praise is due I stand in awe of You.

Selfless

Acts 2:44–45 “And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.”

Believed - They followed the Apostles doctrine

Together - They were a community and family.

All things were common - What bis mine is yours

They gave to the needs of the church.

The primary mission of the church is the church - the secondary mission is the world.

Praised God

Acts 2:46–47 “And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”