WED. - Signs of a Healthy Church (part 3)

Turn in your Bibles to Acts 2 -

Tonight, we are looking at this 1st Century Jerusalem Church -

And gaining some applicable insights into God’s Church that had evidence of being ALIVE!

And, I am convinced that when God’s People WILL put into practice the SAME applications, as we are witnessing in Acts 2 -

Then God’s Church WILL, in fact, begin to flourish accordingly!

HOW DO I KNOW THIS TO BE TRUE?

Joshua 1:8 - “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”

Ephesians 4:11–12 - “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:”

Acts 9:31 - “Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.”

Acts 17:11 “These (BEREANS) were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”

Tonight, we will evaluate one more sign, maybe two - time permitting - signs of this Church that evidenced LIFE!

If you have found Acts 2 and are physically able to stand, PLEASE STAND FOR THE READING OF THE WORD OF GOD -

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

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

Acts 2:44 - “And all that believed were together, and had all things common;”

Acts 2:45 - “And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.”

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,”

And it is this NEXT-TO-LAST verse, and time-permitting - maybe the last verse too, we will attempt to draw application from this evening.

Let’s Pray and we will continue in the Message - “SIGNS of a HEALTHY CHURCH”.

So Far, We Have Attested to the Fact that this 1st Century Jerusalem Church Exhibited Signs of Life from Almighty God -

We draw that conclusion, from the earlier parts of Acts 2 - which reveal that -

It WAS the Holy Spirit of God that commenced His Ministry upon this earth!

He was simply fulfilling what HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY spoken of Him, by the 2nd Member of the Godhead - The Lord Jesus Christ.

And when the Holy Spirit of God is alive and present in His HOME - there WILL be great evidence to everyone & anyone!

Too many times, there are those who want to cast doubt as to WHY EVERYTHING SEEMS DEAD AT CHURCH?

PERHAPS - THE PASTOR HAS NOT PREPARED ENOUGH!

And, that can certainly be the truth!

There are some so-called pastors, that ought to do God a favor - & STEP OUT OF THE PULPIT!

Due to being an hireling - just in it for the money & prestiege!

Due to compromise!

Due to succumbing to the traps of the devil!

PERHAPS - SOME MAY SAY THAT THE PEOPLE AREN’T PRAYED UP ENOUGH!

And that can certainly be the truth, as well!

Many times, the reason why we do NOT see the Hand of God move, is due to a prayerless life!

And I am NOT speaking of your prayers - when in dire trouble, or at the dinner table!

I’m talking about DAILY time spent with the LORD - seeking His Face!

PERHAPS - SOULWINNING HAS BECOME AN ACTIVITY OF THE PAST!

Afterall, it HAS to be the SOLE responsibility of the pastor TO DO ALL the soulwinning in the community!

LADIES & GENTLEMEN - I AM SURE, AS I AM STANDING HERE, UPON THE AUTHORITY OF GOD’S WORD, THE REASON WHY WE DO NOT SEE LIFE IN CHURCHES TODAY -

WHEN YOU CAN WALK INTO A CHURCH BUILDING, AND IT IS AS COLD SPIRITUALLY AS THE ARTIC CIRCLE -

IT IS ALL DUE TO THE FACT -

GOD HAS NOT CHANGED HIS MESSAGE - IT IS STILL THE SAME!

IT IS GOD’S PEOPLE THAT HAVE CHANGED -

WHO HAVE IGNORED & BECOME DISOBEDIENT TO THE STATUTES & LAWS OF GOD’S WORD -

AND THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD HAS BECOME QUENCHED, AND SPIRITUAL LIFE, AS ILLUSTRATED IN ACTS 2 -

IS COMPLETELY NON-EXISTENT!

AND THE ONLY WAY FOR THAT LIFE TO COME BACK IS FOUND IN THE VERSE THAT MOST OF US CAN QUOTE HERE TONIGHT!

2 Chronicles 7:14 - “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

And that formula is evidenced, earlier in Acts 2:42-43.

Therefore - that is why this 1st Century Jerusalem Church was -

STEDFAST

SEPARATED

SYSTEMATIZED

They Were SURRENDERED.

ILLUSTRATION:

The story is told of a man who spent much time helping counsel others concerning life situations. He would invite them on a little walk, away from his NYC office and into the courtyard of Rockefeller Center. Situated on one side of the plaza is a sculpture of very strong man, named Atlas, depicting a feat of strength by holding the world on his shoulders. The counsellor would proposition his advisee, that this was one way to live - trying to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders.

Then he would systematically guide the bewildered across the street to St. Patrick’s Cathedral - on the other side of 5th Avenue. There on the premises was a little shrine of the boy Jesus, at a young age, holding the world in one hand. The point was graciously taken!

You see, we ALL have a choice to make in the circumstances of life -

You can ATTEMPT to carry the weight of the world upon YOUR Shoulders -

And just like the depiction of the fictitious Atlas - your legs buckling under the limitless weight!

OR - you can simply give it up to the Lord!

The CHOICE is yours!

These FIRST CENTURY NEW BELIEVERS Made the Choice to Surrender to God -

Hence - They Sacrificed For Others! - Acts 2:45 - “And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.”

Think About the CONTEXT of the SETTING - for just a moment!

For many of these NEW BELIEVERS situated in Jerusalem -

There were MANY who had ritualistically made the pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the IMPORTANT & SOLEMN events that were taking place!

That meant leaving the comforts of WHAT & WHERE they called home -

That meant, for some, a HUGE journey that lie before the majority of them!

There were no vehicles to pack up and load the family up in!

There were no BUDGET, ENTERPRISE, or other rental facilities present!

There were no fast-food eateries along the way - HOW DID THEY MAKE IT WITHOUT A MC-DONALD’S?

There were no comfort inn, hampton inns, or holiday inns present!

That ALSO meant, a sacrifice was made to be present for the cultural festivities!

FOR A MULTITUDE OF THOSE WHO ATTENDED - THE COMING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AT PENTECOST WAS A LIFE-CHANGING MOMENT!

The Word of God Was POWERFULLY Preached!

The Holy Spirit of God WAS PRESENT THAT DAY!

Men & Women heard the Gospel, TRUSTED CHRIST AS SAVIOUR - & GLORIOUSLY SAVED!

And the Church Was Birthed Physically THERE IN JERUSALEM!

There Were MANY who systematically followed the teachings and preachings from the apostles, as illustrated by Acts 2:42.

These NEW BELIEVERS began growing in the nuture and admonition of the Lord!

These NEW BELIEVERS began showing love, initiated at Calvary -

1 John 3:14 “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.”

These NEW BELIEVERS began evidencing Christian behaviour -

Through baptism in obedience

Through fellow-shipping with other Christians!

Through partaking of The Lord’s Table!

And those who were NOT apart of this organized assembly of baptized believers took notice at what was going on!

Hence - the closer they grew to one another, they became more unified as a whole!

Their Sacrifice Meant Selling -

THEIR POSSESSIONS AND GOODS.

We could say that they exemplified the true essence of the Lord Jesus Christ’s command to His disciples!

Maybe this is what Luke had in mind, in writing about these first century believers, thinking back to the days when he walked with the Lord Jesus Christ

Luke 9:23 - “And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”

Rarely, do we see this extent practiced amongst God’s people today!

Have you ever witnessed any of our church men - especially those who love weaponry,

Who have sold their firearms, took the proceeds, and put it in an envelope marked “MISSIONS?”

When we get to the end of Acts 4, we read of this happening to a man named Barnabas -

Acts 4:36–37 “And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.”

BUT WHY, OR WHAT WOULD POSSESS SOMEONE TO GO TO SUCH GREAT LENGTHS - AS SELLING POSSESSIONS & GOODS?

Could it be, that God had the heart of these NEW BELIEVERS, even Barnabas - & NOTHING WAS OFF LIMITS TO THEM!

Why? -

They KNEW that God ALREADY OWNED IT, & had loaned it to them -

So, when there was a need, they bestowed grace upon those that needed it the most!

We could say it this way - these NEW BELIEVERS did NOT stow away the GRACE that was BESTOWED upon them!

That was the whole crux behind those dirt poor and persecuted Macedonian believers of 1 Corinthians 8!

They had learned to trust Almighty God -

And had come to the place where they could prove the sincerity of their love to OTHERS!

WITH THAT BEING SAID - AM I URGING YOU TO SELL YOUR POSSESSIONS & GOODS, to give to every man that has a need?

NO!

BUT! IF GOD MOVES UPON YOUR HEART TO BESTOW GRACE UPON HIS CHOICE -

Will YOU Make the CHOICE to SURRENDER & SACRIFICE?

THAT - is an incredibly hard CHOICE to shoulder!

THAT - can make the STRONGEST of knees to buckle!

THE LESSON THUS - is NOT so much of one’s PRACTICE, as it is one’s PIETY!

We can deduce from these new believers that they had learned a gracious amount attributed to true Christian living -

Acts 20:35 - “I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

Hey - it truly DOES a heart good, when you can help meet the need of someone!

For these who were situated in Jerusalem, and perhaps a long way from home -

WHAT A BLESSING! to have a need met due to a vast separation of miles from home and help!

Albert Barnes states, “He is the most miserable who has never known the luxury of doing good, but who lives to gain all he can, and to hoard all he gains.”

And he who gives out of a right heart, and with the right motives, God will bless! - (FIND MATT. 25)

A WORD OF CAUTION! Don’t plan immediately to START GIVING, just so God will bless you!

God’s payday does NOT always arrive on Friday afternoons!

In fact, the rewards may not be meted out UNTIL HEAVEN!

BUT! God will be a debtor to NO MAN!

In context, this passage deals with the FINAL JUDGEMENT -

Note the words of our Lord in -

Matthew 25:31 - “When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:”

Matthew 25:32 “And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:”

Matthew 25:33 - “And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.”

Matthew 25:34 - “Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:”

Matthew 25:35 - “For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:”

Matthew 25:36 - “Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.”

Matthew 25:37 - “Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?”

Matthew 25:38 - “When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?”

Matthew 25:39 - “Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?”

Matthew 25:40 - “And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”

NOW - We don’t believe for ONE IOTA, if you are saved that you can be eternally punished for NOT helping others that are in need!

We are assured that ONCE SAVED - ALWAY SAVED!

But, what rewards could we possibly forfeit for NOT helping another brother or sister in the LORD!

We HAD BETTER make doubly sure that our PIETY matches up with our PRACTICE!

These 1st Century Believers Sure Did - They SURRENDERED & Sacrificed!

WHAT A NOTABLE SIGN OF A HEALTHY CHURCH!

CLOSING

The story is told of an “open-air preacher being heckled by a communist in the crowd. About that time a drunken derelict staggered past, and sat down all arrayed in rags. The communist pointed to him. ‘Given the opportunity, Communism would put a new suit on that man. What does your Christianity do for him? Said the preacher, ‘Given the opportunity, Christ would put a new man in that suit.’ THAT was the secret of the mutual sharing of the early church. THAT was the Body of Christ at work. THAT was the hand taking care of the foot, and the eye looking out for the ear.