The Disciple’s Shared Life

>>DISMISS KIDS<<

INTRODUCTION

Open your bibles with me and turn to the book of Acts. Acts chapter 2 is where we’re going to be this morning. As you’re turning to Acts 2 let me also remind you to be praying for our students and adult leaders this week as they’re off to North Carolina for camp. 52 of them.

We are now in week 7 of our 12 week series “As You Go” examining what the life of a disciple—a follower of Jesus—should look like.

We’re now in the second part of this series as we’re looking at the life of the disciple in the COMMUNITY OF DISCIPLES—THE CHURCH.

We are invited into the family of God to multiply His grace and replicate His love.

MAIN POINT: Disciples are committed to GROWING TOGETHER, MINISTERING TO ONE ANOTHER, AND LIVING ON MISSION TOGETHER.

So, what I want us to do this morning is take a look at a passage of scripture in Acts chapter two…It’s the first real look into the life of the early church…the first believers that we have.

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.

>>PRAYER<<

Psalm 119:9–16 ESV

How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes! With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth. In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

TRANSITION

There’s an important word that Luke uses, here, to describe the lifestyle of the first believers. He says that they “devoted” themselves to certain things. Devoted—that’s a really good word. It’s a really important word. What does it mean to be “devoted” to something? I think we can understand the word “devoted” as “deeply committed” to something. It’s not just that we’re “committed” to something…and, honestly, we’ve lost the concept of commitment in our culture. We’re undecided on so much…we don’t want to commit…we want a way out/an exit strategy. People are more hesitant now, than ever, to commit to something—especially things related to the church // something better might come up.

But, devotion is deep commitment....COMMITMENT THAT’S NON-NEGOTIABLE AND THAT SHAPES EVERY AREA OF MY LIFE. I would feel safe in saying that most all of us in here are DEVOTED to our families. My wife…kids. Those are non-negotiable. Alabama/Auburn.

Here’s the thing—the things we’re DEVOTED to…deeply committed to…they dictate where we spend our time, our money, our resources, what occupies our thoughts. So…if you want to know what, in your life, has your devotion—look at where you spend your time, your money, your resources, etc.

There are a lot of things going on in my life—and probably yours, too. If you’re like me…your life is chaotic and your calendar is completely overrun with things. I’ve got 3 kids—an 9th grader, 7th grader, and 5th grader. And, they’re all involved in multiple things. Basketball, baseball, volleyball, piano lessons, church things, play practice….that’s just scratching the surface.

If you are a member of our church—would you say that you are “committed” to Taylor Road Baptist Church? That’s what church membership is all about. So many of you are committed to giving. So many of you are committed in attending/participating. So many of you are committed to serving.

Committed TO ONE ANOTHER. Are you committed to the BODY/PEOPLE?

Listen, your attendance and active participation here on Sundays is evidence of your commitment to the people of God.

Some people say “Oh, sure, I’m definitely committed to my church” but you only see them once a month—or less than that.

Having your name on a church membership roll doesn’t mean anything if you aren’t committed to the people that make up the church.

Next Saturday, I’ll be going to a family reunion on Sand Mountain. I would say 90% of those that will be there are family members I haven’t seen at least in 30 years. I probably wouldn’t know most of them on the street if I walked right past them.

Disciples are committed to GROWING TOGETHER.

Luke tells us that they devoted themselves—deeply committed—to four core essentials…maybe even called “disciplines” of the Christian life.

1) Apostles Teaching (proclaiming the gospel//WORD)

2) Fellowship (partnering for the gospel//WORK)

3) Breaking of Bread (practicing the gospel//WITNESS)

4) Prayer (progress of the gospel//WORSHIP)

They did these things TOGETHER. The greatest “venue” for living out this commitment is a Life Group!

Disciples are Committed to Ministering to One Another.

(vs. 44-45)

The early church was growing and it was growing rapidly.

We are growing and growing rapidly (not 3,000 in one day kind of rapid, but still). You may not realize this but since 2020, we’ve added 100 in worship attendance every year.

Disciples are Committed to Living on Mission Together.

Watch this—verse 46 & 47:

Acts 2:46–47 (ESV)

And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Man. Their unity—their love and commitment to one another and to the gospel spilled out/overflowed and everyone saw it. Unbelievers saw it.

Last week, I preached a message on how disciples are called to serve the body with the gifts they’ve been given. I made a statement that if you want to know what your spiritual gift is, start serving somewhere. I know that most of our areas of serving are kind of individually based—individuals sign up to work in kid’s ministry/student ministry/food relief, prison ministry, etc.

But…what if…your whole Life Group decided to adopt Halcyon Elementary School? What if your Life Group signed up to serve in the nursery…made Food Relief YOUR ministry focus…Flatline — need meals // Imago Dei // Samaritan Inn?

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN BELIEVERS DEVOTE THEMSELVES TO GOSPEL-CENTERED LIFE TOGETHER?

They Experience The Power of God

The number of disciples who were praying before Pentecost was 120. Now they’re over 3,000. That is 25 times!!!

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The Lord added to their number EVERY DAY those who were being saved.

Every Thursday morning at 6am, a small group of us gather in this room to pray for revival. We’ve done that for 3 years. INVITE.

Do you want to see that? Do you believe that God wants to do that? Why do you think we don’t see that? Why does this sound so out of the ordinary?

What makes something “extraordinary?” It’s something that is rare/outside of the ordinary. Maybe we’ve become too familiar with the ordinary.

‌The purpose of the church—proclaim the gospel and disciple— introduce to Jesus and teach to follow Him.

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Do you believe that God CAN do this? I would venture to say that none of us have ever seen anything like this. The question is…do we want to?

You know, for these early believers to live committed to each other, they had to value the same thing that we value—PEOPLE > PREFERENCES. They were selling their possessions, their land, and giving the proceeds to the poor. They were welcoming one another into their homes and sharing meals. They were with each other in the temple every single day.

Back in July of last year, on the day we burned the note and paid off our debt, I preached a message challenging you—as a church—to make 4 core commitments:

1) The Gospel Above All

2) Do Whatever It Takes To Reach The Next Generation

3) Give Our Resources Completely To The Lord

4) People > Preferences

Announce: We believe SO MUCH in the purpose and the power of Life Groups. It’s where family begins.

We don’t let PROGRAMMING dictate our PRIORITIES. Our PRIORITIES dictate our PROGRAMMING.

Home Groups

Schedule Change

1 out of 3

Guests — to life group

NOT a way for you to just go home or somewhere else

We’re just flipping the schedule…so that we can better pursue our purpose.

CONCLUSION

Jesus started the church the way he wanted it. He called disciples. He clearly showed us/taught us what a life fully devoted to Him looks like.

Now, he wants the church—our lives the way He designed.

GUITAR/PAD

What are you devoted to? Are you devoted to the things that matter most? Are you devoted to the gospel above all? Devoted to the community of believers (the church)?

Maybe you need a realignment. That’s called repentance.

Disciples are committed to GROWING TOGETHER, MINISTERING TO ONE ANOTHER, AND LIVING ON MISSION TOGETHER.

COMMITMENT TO JESUS—ON THE FENCE?