The Choice is yours

Introduction

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Introduce self

in our 9th message in our series of Acts: The thriving church and we are just finishing chapter 2. There are 28 chapters in Acts. This will be a great deep dive into this book and i’m excited to go on this journey with you as we seek to be a thriving church.

Today’s message is titled “the choice is yours”

Life is full of choices.

It’s estimated you make 33-35 thousand choices everyday.

thats 894 million, 250 thousand choices in a 70 year life.

Yet not all choices are the same though. Some are more important than others though.

Most important is what you believe about Jesus.

And then the choices you make living for Him.

And in all of these choices he doesn’t force you. not a single one.

One of the important choices you make in life is where your faith community is. What church you are apart of.

The book of acts is the birth of the first church and what happened after that. When we read Acts we need to be looking for what that first church close to Christ looked like. What were there hearts like? How did they live out the truth of the gospel? WHat lead to the amazing impact they had? How can you and I experience that impact today?

Character- Christian that goes to church

One aspect to our faith that is often neglected in our studies and even devotional life is the importance of the faith fommunity we are apart of.

Truthfully that chouce can have a generational impact in your life.

Problem- Lack of commitment

The church people attend is a choice based on a number of different reasons but I’d like for you to think today about the church you attend and your choice to not just come on Sunday but your choice to be committed to the ministry of the church family that you are apart of.

When you make the decision to be apart of a faith community it is more than just wher you are are going to spend Sunday mornings for a few months or years. It should be a decision as to where you are going to give your life of service to the Lord. Where are you going to be used by God to impact the people around you.

Not everyone thinks like that, I know.

What if we did?

What if we thought of it like those in the 1st cnetury? Like the decision about which church we attend was a lifelong commitment that could come with challenges, trials, persecution, and difficulty.

What could happen if we were committed to what they were the way they were?

Agitated- Church hopping, division

Do you know what it looks like when we aren’t?

division and church hopping.

Division begins with conflict and what is at the base of conflict?

Proverbs 13:10 “10 Only by pride cometh contention: But with the well advised is wisdom.”

Pride is an inflated sense of self importance. When we elevate ourselves, our way of doing things, our ideaologies, and things of that nature because they are ours above…not the opinion of others b/c we all think we are right and that’s fine, above the person as a soul that needs Jesus like you do.

Pride keeps people from being able to be different and be together, pride is what leads to contention between you and others.

This is true in your marriage as well.

In both situations the pride will tell you the problem is the other person. When in reality the other person is just that, a person. maybe their actions or their mindset is what is leading to those actions you don’t like but if both come together in humility to solve the real problem together, than you are uniting, in the church world, as followers of Jesus to overcome a difference together.

What do you think keeps people from doing this? I believe it’s not so much they don’t know what do to like going and talking things out, or going and listening, I think it’s because we get caught up with what the outcome will look like.

We aren’t supposed to know the outcome, we are supposed to be obedient to the Word of God by faith and leave the outcome in his hands. It may be full resolution or it could be a mutual respect for the differences of one another and a change to the relationship.

If division between people isn’t fixed then there is the problem of people leaving environemtns becuase of people. But remember, people are not the proiblem.

Church hopping has a negative conentation to it but please don’t think I’m telling you that you can’t ever leave a faith community. What I am telling you is that you should take that decision as serious as you woudl take the decision to divorce your spouse.

Church hopping is a reference to some who may find them selves in a new church every year. Chances are high that the problem in that persons life isn’t the churches they are attending.

If you ever find yourselves searching for churches, give it 4-6 weeks and make a decision. By prayer and by faith choose to be committed to that faith community. And be willing to faithfully, with meekness, fight for what God is doing and can do through the lives of the people working together.

THe first century church did just that but they didn’t do it based on their opinions. They did it based on doctrine, fellowship, and prayer.

They surrendered to God’s ways for the whole body and not just themselves.

Solution- Choose to be committed

surrender is a choice and that is what we need to do. Decide to surrender to Jesus. surrender our lives to His Word, His way, and live in that surrender.

Your choice to be apart of a church family should be as serious as you expect the pastors decision to accept the call to pastor the church.

Pastor, woah…I just want to sing and play with kids and serve the community.

And i want that for you but we can’t discount the cost of following Jesus.

He said that.

Luke 14:25–33 “25 And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, 26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, 30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. 33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple

We have to count the costs. We have to stop looking at church, the christian life, and following Jesus as if 1-2-3 pray after me is what it’s all about. There is more and I can’t do it for you or force you into it.

Guide-The early church

The early church knew the costs. They understood what they were giving up. And there are believers today that are counting the costs as well.

In China Christians are viewed as well when it comes to social status and can get passed over for a job.

In North Korea, they can be killed or sent to work camps.

In Saudia Arabia A muslim’s testimony is given more credibility in the courtroom than a Christians. There are financial incentives to to being muslim as well.

In Pakistan there ar eblasphemy laws that can be used to accuse someone and then it’s guilty until proven innocent.

American is the bastion of hope for religious freedom. It’s not just about what we can or can’t say ina school, it’s so much more.

The early church wasn’t afforded that. They chose to be followers of Jesus knowing the social ostracization that woudl take place. They chose being followers of Jesus despite the potential economic impact to them and their family. They did not make the choice to be apart of a faith communty lightly. And just becuase it’s easier for us, we shouldn’t either.

Journey- Acts 2:41-47

In the closing of chapter 2 we have the people responding to Peter’s preaching and becoming apart of the Church, the assembly of believers in Jerusalem.

I want to highlight three choices they made when they chose to be a follower of Jesus and apart of the early church.

Look at

Acts 2:41–42 “41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”

1. They chose to commit to the overall purpose

Exegete: Those who listened to Peter and responded to his direct call to action to Trust in Jesus as their Savior that we saw last week,

there were 3,000 of them. 12 apostles, or pastors and 3,000 people. Wow.

And what did they do? the word steadfastly means diligently, consistently they were diligent in their pursuit of good worship music? Good kids programs? All the technological bells and whistles?

A great parking lot? Good fellowship opportunities?

The first thing that Luke writes about them being dilligent, steadfast, and concerned about is the Apostle’s doctrine.

When you commit to a church family you are committing to their doctrine. It’s why in our next steps seminars our first one we go over our statement of faith and I take questions. I don’t want you to have any questions about where we stand on important biblical issues.

And then fellowship, or the greek word Koinonia. In christian culture we often toss this word around like it means to just hang out together, but that is not what koinonia menas.

We will say “ yea we had great fellowship at that potluck” yet if we go back to the definition of the word Luke used, we are using it wrong. That word koinonia is partnership. it’s like entering into an agreemetn with a partner. You are partnering withs omeone else for a purpose. I know we are working at developing opportunities to connect with one another and those are coming in the fall through our men’s and women’s ministries as well other opportunites but that is not biblical fellowship. That is community and communion, which isn’t bad.

Fellowship is partnership. It’s partnering together for the sake of the gospel. For Jesus to be known far and wide and locally too.

That community is where the breaking of bread and prayer comes in. That’s why we have life groups. That’s why we observe the Lord’s supper. I think the way we have observed it most recently exemplifies that community aspect even more.

illustrate: This commitment to the overall purpose is nothing short of the same type of commitment that you have to your spouse.

When you get married, you are committing to a life with your spouse to overcome the things that woudl prevent that relationship from going that long.

You are saying to them “I choose you in the difficult times, I choose you during the disagreements, I choose you.”

When you choose your faith community you are not just committing to vision, the programs, or the building, you are committing to the purpose

Apply: Have you chosen to be be apart of the overall purpose?

When you choose to do that, you are involved with what is going on. Somehow and someway.

Want to be involved? grab that next step card and let us know how you’d like to serve.

Once your committed to the purpose, the doctrine, the partneship, the community,

Then you have to choose

2. Choose to commit to the people

Acts 2:43–45 “43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.”

Exegete:

The word fear here can be understood as awe or a holy terror or sense of divine reverence

They were committed to what God had called them to and believed toggether they could do what Jesus had said and that was reach the whole world with the message he gave them.

Their commitment to one another was seen through the actions they took in verse 45. They sold their possessions and shared what was needed among each other.

And let’s be real clear, this was not socialism.

Illustrate:

Socialism forces you to give your things away, but biblical Christianity says giving should be a voluntary act of love and generosity.

2 Corinthians 9:7 “7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”

When you are giving of what you earn for your livlihood to the church, for the body of beleiver to use to serve those who are here and to reach more with the gospel it is truly the ultimate showing of commitment to the people.

But pastor, are you saying it’s all about the money…ah…no.

I think your shallow if you think where and how you spend your money is just about the money…

You see Jesus said

Matthew 6:21 “21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

Where you put your treasue is where your heart will go. It’s not always where your heart is when you start putting your treasure into it but when you start putting your treasure in, your heart will follow it.

This verse in Matthew and the example in Acts are about money and material treasure. That’s not your only treasure but it is an important one.

Because when you are giving that important one…which is miniscule compared to the treasure of your heart which will lead to your time, your energy, and so on.

Apply:

Wheny ou are committed to the people of your faith community, you should be wholly committed. WIthy our time, treasure, talents, and just as you would give your all to the relationship of your marriagge to make it successful, you give your all to it. You give, you serve, you love, and you commit to the people around you becuase they need you and you need them.

3. Choose to commit to personal evangelism

Acts 2:46–47 “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, 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”

Exegete:

Notice they were of one accors, they were unified together and would go to the temple.

This wasn’t the Christian temple…those didn’t and don’t exist. They were doing what they knew to do. Remember, Acts was a transition book. Obedient hjews went to Temple and that’s what they did.

In doing so they were publicly displaying their faith in Jesus.

THey woudl enjoy time together eating, publicly and with all the people. Not just the Christians. Not just the followers, they allowed themselves to surrounded by people who didn’t believe in Jesus and they found facor, they were liked, they had incfluence on those that are around them.

This is a healthy church. Not one that has all th bells and whistles. Not one with perfect people. Not one with perfect facilities.

A healthy church is one with people committed to the purpose, the people, and the evangelism

Why is it important to have healthy church? Why is important to be committed?

So the Lord has a place to add those who should be saved.

Illustrate:

Salvation is obviously impomrtant but it isn’t the end of the journey, it is the beginning.

And when people are ggetting saved, where are they supposed to go?

To other followers of Jesus.

When a sick person gets told they are going to be ok and they are going to take some medicine or do some rehab, what do doctros typically ask about?

Do you have a support system? Do you have people to help you as you go on this journey?

People need a place to go to know Jesus and learn ho great it is to live for God.

But why would God send them to a rehab facility with a 2 star rating?

Apply:

The Lord is working and saving people even when you don’t see it.

Could the reason be your not seeing it is becuase you are not committed enough to be involved in it?

Resolution- Choose your faith community, be committed to it, and fight against any division the devil can cause

Impa