The first Imperfect church

Introduction

Introduce Self

Dismiss Children

Continueing in Acts 1:9-14.

At this point in history Jesus has been crucified, buried, and resurrected. In Acts 1:8 He gave what is known as the great commission and is our first prioirity.

Acts 1:8 “8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

Now we are in the first days following the ascension of Jesus back to heaven and today we are going to see the deep bonds that existed between the early church and I beleive why they were there.

Character-Disconnected Christian

There are a lot of things said about churches and christian communities.

One of the most common is that it’s family. What makes it family though? Is it because theres a crazy one or two in every bunch?

We obviously don’t have any blood relations, well some of you do and that’s great but the church is made up of a number of families that are connected by something I believe is stronger than blood.

It’s an eternal bond of faith in Jesus Christ. Our shared faith makes us brothers and sisters in Christ.

But why doesn’t it always feel like that?

my church experience is different than most, I’ve come to understand that and the implications of it. However, part of that experience has been involvement in churches at different stages of life, in different cultures, and then exposure through other pastors and ministry leaders across the world.

That has lead to some understanding I believe is important for followers of Jesus have.

First, as Charles Spurgeon said, there is no perfect church. Maybe you are more famliar with the statement “the grass isn’t always greener”

Social media makes it more apparent than anything, there is no individual life that doesn’t have problems and there is not church that doens’t have them either.

There is no family without problems either.

Second, churches have open doors in the front…and the back.

All are welcome. All are desired to stay. However, the only person that keeps you apart of a community is Christ.

Third, a Christians connection to Jesus and the faith community they have is dependent upon their willingess to connect to Him and them.

Have you ever got into an arguement withy oru spouse or someone else and after the heat of the argument is done and before things are mended there is this time period of distance?

That can happen in your relationship with Christ and your relationship with others in the church. You feel disconnected. Often, it’s because of some action you have taken and know you need to humble repent to Christ and in your relationship with others it’s becuase of some action they have done and you haven’t got things cared for.

What both of them have in common is that there has been no initiative to reconcile.

Why reconcile though? Why look over the faults of another and not just hold onto them?

Problem-We judge others based on their actions

Well,

Colossians 3:13 “13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.”

Ephesians 4:32 “32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”

Matthew 18:21–22 “21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? 22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.”

It’s hard to do this isn’t it?

When conflict arises it’s as though we forget to look through the actions of another and see the sinner saved by grace that committed it.

When all we do is judge by the action, we are missing two other parts of the equation. We are literally judging with less than 50% of the information needed to make a complete judgement call. it’s on 33.3 repeating %/

Proverbs 18:13 “He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, It is folly and shame unto him.”

The other two pieces are :

1. intention

remember, God looks on the heart. which is where I believe we find intention

Ever heard the term good intentiond bad judgement?

For instance, if i intended to make someone feel good but to do so I said “Hey, you have the most beautiful face of any pig I’ve ever seen.”

What would you say if you heard that? WOw that guys rude. he must hate her, he is so unkind

What would you say if I told you “I’m only saying that so she knows how beautiful she is becuase pigs are cute animals to me.”

Well, ok maybe you should have clarified that a bit. Good intentions…bad judgement.

paul wrote about this in Romans 10:2 “For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.”

2. The fruit- What came from the action? Matthew 7:16 “Ye shall know them by their fruits.

If this is all we judge a persons actions by we are allowing the ends to justify the means.

paul spoke against this as well

Romans 3:8 “And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.”

Heard of Thanos in avengers? HE wanted to bring the universe into perfect balance to allow for the living beings to not struggle for food or have issues like that. SO he killed half the population with a snap of his fingers.

THe ends can’t justify the means.

But, situation that happened to me recently, I walked away from a conversation that in my mindw as over or not taking place so that I cpould get to my truck where my wife was waiting for us to get one of our kids home so that we could have some time together before they had to go to sleep.

When I walked away the other person was planning to chat but I had reasons to go home and not talk. I didn’t comunicate them well at that time but once it came out, they were udnerstanding.

When we don’t take all parts into consideration we say things like “well they just did that because…” and oyu insert the reason they did something.

That is a prime example of judging someone without all of the information. period. It’s judging without any of the backstory or understanding.

a man named Wayne Dyer said “When you judge another, you do not define them, you define yourself.”

Jesus said if we judge others we will be judged by the same measure.

Agitated-Judging others without information leads to division and disconnection

GReat intentions doesn’t justify every action though but premature judgement of another should never be justified in the heart of the believer.

The other side is the fruit of the action. This doesn’t mean that the ends justify the means either. However, they have to be taken into consideration. Other than the thanos illustration…

Ever had someone do something that you didn’t agree with? but it worked out well?

Common in the workplace right? co-worker doesn’t do things exactly as you would or boss makes a decision you wouldn’t but everything works out fine and even ebtter than you expected.

These silly things can lead to great problems.

They lead to beliveing you know exactly who everyone else is and why they do what they do.

Solution-Choose to know people and ask questions

What if the early church had done that?

do know the actions those 12 apostles took following the arrest of Christ?

What did Peter do? denied knowing Jesus at all. went fgishing. Do you believe that sounds like a leader worth following? Yet he becomes a strong voice.

John stood by Jesus side and was there at the cross. Jesus told him to take care of His mom. John could have looked down on everyone esle that wasn’t there because they chose to run.

Remeber these are normal men. they dealt with waht we deal with. pride, jealously, insecurity, all of it.

But they chose to stick together.

Unity and commraderie is not based on what people do, it’s based on who people are in Christ.

The disciples chose to see each othe rbased on who they were because of Jesus and not who they were in moments of weakness, fear, or jsut on a bad day.

Guide-Disciples

Those men sat a great example for the early church and for us today.

Journey-Acts 1:9-14

And it started right after the ascenstion of Jesus. They were focused and motivated on what God had for them.

The truth is, as followers of Jesus the thing that should be motivating us and driving us to lvie our lives for Jesus and determining our actions is the same thing that had the early church motivated to.

Not just the gospel’s truth and impact but also the blessed hope of Jesus’ return.

Acts 1:9–11 “9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.”

These two important events are the bookends for what is often known as the church age. They are the shared purpose that bonds us as a church

1. Shared purpose creates strong bonds

When America was in World War 2, there was great commroderie among the nation. People woudl sacrifice and contirbue however they could to help with the war effort.

There was unity around the purpose of defeating hitler and avenging pearl harbor.

In more recent years there was unity in America as we fought what was known as the war on terror Iraq and Afghanistan.

We had the purpose of defeating the terrorist organizations and establishing healthy governments in terrorist harboring countries.

In Nehamiah, He had rallied the Israelites around the purpose of rebuilding the walls of Jeruslamen. They faced opposition from within and without. At one point those who were working on the wall had a trwoel in one hand a sword in another.

THey were building together and ready to fight together because they had the same purpose

Nehemiah 2:17–18 “17 Then said I unto them, Ye see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach. 18 Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me; as also the king’s words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work.”

Nehemiah 2:17–18 CSB

17 So I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in. Jerusalem lies in ruins and its gates have been burned. Come, let’s rebuild Jerusalem’s wall, so that we will no longer be a disgrace.” 18 I told them how the gracious hand of my God had been on me, and what the king had said to me. They said, “Let’s start rebuilding,” and their hands were strengthened to do this good work.

Now the disciples have a shared purpose that motivates as a foudnation of their life, the gospel

and something to look forward to, the return of Jesus.

If the gospel is real then the return of Christ is real and everything in between should be driven by those events.

Remember. the disciples have spent 40 days with Jesus in his resurrected body. He ate fish with them, he woudl have continued teaching them, and was seen by more than 500 people.

Now he has ascended into heaven and the angel gives that promise of His return.

Notice the detail or lack there of when it comes to the promise of His return.

HE will come back in like manner.

No timelines, no tribulaitons, no millenial reign. It doesn’t mean there isn’t truth to those things but notice what was important…He’s coming back. That is something we can all agree on. You can hold different opinions of method of return but this truth is undeniable. There will be a bodily return of JEsus one day and we live in light of that return. Not in fear of judgement but in excited expectation of what it will be like when that happens.

Think for amoment. YOu serve a God who is sending His son back to establish an eternal kingdom with no pain or weakness. No aches, no tears, no death.

and every person who believes on Jesus will be there with you. This includes the ones who are different from you.

The ones who do things you don’t like.

DO you treat them as if you will be eternal family or as if they are temporary nuasance?

The disciples could have definitely treated each other that way when they got back to Jerusalem.

Why didn’t they?

2. The purpose wasn’t more important than the people

Acts 1:12–14 “12 Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day’s journey. 13 And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. 14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.”

If we take a quick read of this we miss whats happened. We can see it as a just a description of the people in a room.

Take a moment with me and let’s think about what lead to this moment.

a litle over 40 days ago Jesus was arrested in the garden where peter cut off the ear of a soldier. After the arrest most of the disciples ran. Judas committed suicide.

Peter denied Christ 3 times and betrayed his friends in doing so.

Then he went fishing…actions that could defintely lead to the others being upset right?

Think about it, this guy, one of the top three in Jesus’ inner circle, denied him and ran from him and abandonded his team.

Now that Jesus is gone again do you think that could ahve come up? Maybe it was addressed while Jesus was on erarth, we don’t have a record of it.

John was at the cross, John was told to take care of Jesus’ mother. he wasn’t boastful about his faithfulness.

The others ran.

yet here they are with one accord in prayer.

Another version reads

Acts 1:14 CSB

14 They all were continually united in prayer, along with the women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

This small church, or assembly if you will, is ordained by God. He put these men together, he called them, Jesus told them to wait together for the power of the holy Spirit and that’s what they did.

Even today, the church you are apart of should be viewed this way. I’m sure you prayed about being apart of it and staying at it.

There are many reason people give for coming to a church: music, preaching, nice people, nice building, good location, etc. And listen, those aren’t wrong to enjoy. But once you decide to stay I hope its for more than that. Because if it’s a growing church, it will always be in transition and each of those things, except for the nice people hopefully, can change.

Be apart of this church or whatever church God calls you to because God desires you to be. Then work with the people there to be the church God calls you to be. Not to tear down or destroy it. NOt to fight against it. Not to sit back and watch everyone else do the work.

Be on board with the mission. Be apart of the process of accomplishing it. Be a servant to those who are in it. Pray for the people often. Invite people regularly.

That’s who Liberty is. A church that deisres to reach 10% of the community with the gospel by connecting to God on Sunday, growing closer ot Him and each other in life groups and other opportunities, serve the community, and share the gospel.

Is that the church God is calling you to? Then be of one accord.

How though? People make me angry. people do thigns I don’t like. People offend me.

I get it. me too.

Have you asked yourself if you have all three parts of the story forthe person? intention, action, and fruit? Do you have understanding?

Do you have trust? Do you believe the peole areound you?

The bible says

Matthew 5:37 “37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.”

Speak truth and believe others are doing the same.

Then and only then can we do, what the disciples did in the 21st century.

It’s one of the hardest things I believe any human can do espcialy in our day and time.

It’s wait. Waiting for God to move in His time.

Doesn’t mean your not taking some action but it doesn mean you are taking it together. Praying together, happens often in our life groups and you can do it in your home with friends over. Serving together. Ministering to one another together. I’m thankful for the team of people we have that not only make Sundays happen but everything around here happen.

What this gathering of people didn’t know was that in about 10 days, they are going to set the world on fire. THey needed to wait and they needed to wait together.

The term continuing there in verse 14 speaks to their perseverance.

Galatians 6:9 “9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

Paul Chappel wrote “Many times we fail to see God’s power revealed because we give up too soon.”

I wrote to our lay staff team recently and told them that we should continue doing good, well.

That’s not always easy. I can’t imagine it was for the apostles. Even after this there are records of disagreements, especially between Peter and Paul. Yet they worked together, serving the Lord as they waited for Him to provide the results.

That’s what church is. Imperfect people serving a perfect savior together, despite their imperfections.

Resolution-Find people who share your purpose

THey do so with shared purpose and vision.

Have you found your people yet? People who share your purpose and vision? Did you know they could exist right here in this church? Ddi you know there are some here that you will find this with and others you wont? Did you know that’s ok?

The important part is to make the effort to find those people and be that person. Be the follower of Jesus that makes life about Him and others and not just yourself.

Impact: Negative: seeking to change others or conform to them. Positive: An environment wher you don’t have to conform.