Transformed Lives: The Power of Community Worship

Bible Passage:

Acts 2:41–47 ESV

41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. 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.

Summary:

This passage illustrates the birth of the early church following Pentecost, emphasizing how the believers' shared experiences in worship, teaching, and communal life drastically changed their lives and the lives of those around them.

Application:

This sermon could inspire individuals to recognize the importance of communal worship and its transformative power. Encourage the audience to see the church not just as a place to attend services but as a family that supports one another spiritually and emotionally, helping them navigate life's challenges together.

Teaching:

The central teaching of this passage highlights the impact of community on individual faith journeys, showcasing how being part of a supportive group leads to collective growth, fruitfulness, and outreach as they joyfully worship and serve together.

How this passage could point to Christ:

In the context of the entire Bible, Christ is the cornerstone of this community, knitting believers together and fostering an atmosphere where His teachings and sacrificial love shape their interactions and ministry to others.

Big Idea:

Christ-centered community worship transforms lives and spreads the Gospel, inviting all to join the fellowship of believers in a journey of faith and relationship.

Recommended Study:

I recommend focusing on the implications of communal living highlighted in

Acts 2

by examining commentaries that address both historical and theological aspects of early church practices. Utilizing Logos, you could research cross-references with other New Testament writings that discuss community dynamics, especially in Paul’s letters, helping you address both similarities and contrasts in how believers are called to live out their faith alongside one another.

1. Commitment to Community Growth

Acts 2:41–42 ESV

41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

Here we see a great response at Pentecost

Peter had been preaching to the masses in their own tongue

A large conversion takes place and about 3000 souls are added to the Kingdom of God

What a wonderful start for the church

A large conversion event increasing the Kingdom

Devotion verbiage in Greek is to persevere in something to the point of devotion

Definition of persevere

continue in a course of action even in the face of difficulty or with little or no prospect of success

in other words

this perseverance means they did not let things get in their way

no matter what would come up

They continued in this worship no matter what

they were hungry for teaching

they were hungry for training

This leads to a large cause and effect statement over the next few verses

The accepted the Lord and their numbers were multiplied

AND “as a result” they devoted themselves

AND “as a result” awe came upon every soul

many wonders and signs were done

Throughout this passage we will see a large cause and effect statement through the word AND

this and implies that the happenings before led to the happenings after

In this we see a community of growth

not a community of lukewarmness

we see a community that is persevering and increasing in their faith

2. Cultivating Awe and Generosity

Acts 2:43–45 ESV

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.

Awe indicates a sense of fear or reverence in the literal Greek

These new believers were in awe of God

not in awe of the happenings

Awe came upon the soul

this is a huge change that awe came upon the soul

This implies a life of awe

a change at the core

a reverent recognition

leading to a reverent change of life

not a life change out of mere circumstance or emotion

a life change that started at the care

due to reverence and fear of the Father

This shows us a Holy church

a Church that feared God

and desired to abide by His commands

the church today in a sense has gotten soft in comparison

a church today allows and does not refute sinful acts and lifestyles

The church today must learn to stand up for right and make aware what is wrong

We serve a Just God who is to be feared in all reverence and Glory

We see that wonders and signs are occuring

actuality seen amongst the Apostles and the community was a witness

a witness to the apostles setting a foundation for the church today

Coming from this awe struck soul

a unity amongst believers

a unity that is not achieved in worldly understanding

a unity that passes all understanding

John Phillips states

This was organic unity not organized unity.

This unity was not brought out of ashes through organization

it was natural in response to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit

and the awe that was on the heart of the believer

instead what we see is a people that recognize there is no joy in the temporary

the awe within their heart has given them all they need in the Father

leading to a life of generosity

life of giving all they can to help those in need

a life spreading the love that Christ called to spread

we see more evidence from the author of Hebrews

in Hebrews 10:34

Hebrews 10:34 ESV

34 For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one.

we see that they were joyous in the plundering of their property

because they recognized a greater possession and an abiding God

this recognition would be so much greater in the ability to part with unnecessary items to provide aid to others

in this we see a community that was fixated on communal needs

not personal gain

not personal attainment

instead how they could aid their neighbor!

Mark 12:31 ESV

31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

A community changed and living a life in obedience to the commands of Christ

having first loved the Lord with all their heart as we see with the awe in their soul

3. Consistent and Joyful Fellowship

Acts 2:46–47 ESV

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.

What we see here is a people of Joy

A happy people

living together glorifying God

why?

because they have experienced something the rest of the world had not experienced

the bountiful love of Jesus Christ!

as the old hymn by wade Robinson says,

2 Heav'n above is deeper blue,

earth around is sweeter green,

that which glows in ev'ry hue

Christless eyes have never seen.

Birds in song his glories show,

flow'rs with richer beauties shine

since I know, as now I know,

I am his and he is mine.

This was a rich way of life for the early church

it was so genuine

it was the purest form of the church

it had not been corrupted or infiltrated

this was the design of the church from the beginning

this is how the church was designed to function

Immediately after Pentecost we see a beautiful example of the proper church in the world

what is so great about this is this church broke social norms of self and prosper just like this same church style would today

We are called to be a tight knit community of believers

living life with one another

not beside one another

we are to be involved in each others lives

we are to be edifying each other

we are to be looking after one another

we are to be correcting one another

Not because it must be organized this way

but because this is how the Spirit draws the church together

we have seen just this in Acts 2

We see that the mere lifestyle and interaction of the church led to the conversion of the outsiders

the lifestyle of the church made the people aware of their shortcomings

which resulted in the church being a beacon of light to the world around it

One of the great things I love about this verse

The Scripture doesn’t say in verse 47 that they were added tot eh number of the church

we know this was likely the case

but the overarching emphasis of this is not about the churches growth

it was about the growth of the Kingdom of God

The author very directly states

the people were encountering new converts daily

newly saved people

they were living in a world were people were putting their Faith in Jesus daily

The Kingdom of God was growing!

Psalm 127:1 ESV

1 Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.

Why isn’t the community of believers today seeing growth daily in the U.S.

because the church has become a place of debate

regarding theological interpretation

regarding church business matters that should not be argued

what we find is something where the church has been viewed as a dis-coordinated place of dispute int eh world today

More people can talk of how a church has failed somebody than how they have served the living God

This is not true of all churches by any means!

but a little bit can ruin the batch

The church needs to rediscover the unifying force within it

that unifying force which will correct and develop common ground is the Holy Spirit of God living within us due to our Salvation by the blood and resurrection of our Savior

That is the source of our Motivation

that is the source of our understanding

that is the source of our desire

that is the source of our unity

He is the course of common ground!