Acts 2:42-47
Notes
Transcript
Scripture reading
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.
I’d like for us to consider three things we see here regarding the disciples of Christ.
First, their devotion.
Second, their unity.
Third, their growth.
The devotion of the disciples
The devotion of the disciples
We see the disciples devoting themselves to four things.
The teaching of the Apostles
Fellowship
The Lord’s Supper
Prayer
The word “devoted” here means to stick to something. To attach yourself to it. To busy yourself with that thing, and to persist in it.
There’s a difference between doing these things, and being devoted to them. What’s the difference? It’s the awe of God. It says that awe came upon every soul.
Does awe come upon our souls? When our souls are in awe, there is stillness, wonder, fascination, and adoration.
We can experience this awe when we see beyond the physical things and into the spiritual reality. We see beyond the preacher who is preaching. We see beyond the people in the fellowship hall. We see beyond the bread and wine. And by faith, we see Christ’s holy presence in the midst of us.
Without such faith, awe will cease. Thanksgiving will cease. Devotion will cease.
Our devotion is not to something. Our devotion is to someone. And He is worthy of our devotion.
The unity of the disciples
The unity of the disciples
Now, as a result of this, the disciples had unity.
44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common.
It is the things we have in common that bring us closer together. A common past, a common hobby, a common goal.
But there is nothing that so unites people than having Jesus in common.
Jesus is the great equalizer. In Him, there is no Jew or Gentile. All are sinners saved by grace. Our lives were already forfeit because of sin, but we have been bought with a price. And so our lives are not our own. We belong to Jesus.
When we have Jesus in common, we have all things in common. We are in Christ, and one body of Christ.
This is a unity that the world doesn’t know. And so it’s a fellowship that sets us apart from the world.
35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
We see this love in action in verse 45. “They were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.”
This is a description of their love, which means it cannot and should not be enforced by civil government. This isn’t an argument for socialism.
This is about the disciples loving one another so much that they could let go of their own advantages for the sake of the other person. They had a loose grip on their prized possessions. Why? Because they were brothers and sisters in Christ.
26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.
Christ is the great equalizer. Before we are CEOs or students, we are siblings. Before we are pastors or newcomers, we are siblings. Before we are even husband and wife, we are first and foremost siblings in Christ.
This past week, during our family worship, we sang hymn 163. And the chorus goes “Oh can we say we are ready, brother, ready for the soul’s bright home.” And as we sang, I looked at my son, and it really hit me that before I’m his father, I’m his brother in Christ.
How long did their unity last? They are still united. And we are united with them by the Holy Spirit.
The growth of the disciples
The growth of the disciples
Now, in the passage before this, we have a group of about 120 disciples. Now, we’re talking about a group of 120 disciples and 3000 newcomers to the church.
That’s a growth of 25-fold.
If you recall the story of Isaac in Genesis 26, he sowed in the land and reaped in the same year a hundredfold. Given God’s track record, this 25-fold growth is almost a let down.
But we have to realize that such growth required no huge effort on God’s part. God doesn’t even have to lift a finger. He didn’t break a sweat. He only needs to will for it to happen.
If He willed it, we wouldn’t have enough chairs on a Sunday. It was the Lord who established the church, and it is the Lord who builds it. And in fact, every person who walks through our doors walks through because God has ordained it. That includes you and me. Jesus is the one who builds His church. Not us.
18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
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.
Does this mean we have no part to play? It means we have the privilege and highest honor of being used by God. We are instruments of His grace.
Like a painter using a paintbrush, God uses us for His work. But unlike a painter, God doesn’t need us. It’s our privilege and for our benefit that we get to serve Him like this.
6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.
So what do we need to do? We need to devote ourselves to Him daily, and yield to Him.
We need to hold our trophies, our resources, and our advantages with a loose grip, and be ready to bless our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
Jesus talks about the grain of wheat that dies, and as a result of its death, it bears much fruit.
24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.
The day of Pentecost was the same day as the feast of wheat harvest, because it was the harvest.
By the Holy Spirit, these first disciples died to themselves, and bore the fruit of devotion, unity, and growth.
So as we pray this morning, let us ask God earnestly to restore our awe of Him. To open our spiritual eyes, that we might catch a glimpse of His glory. Let us pray for Zion Church to love one another like this.
Let us pray that Zion will be a church of such wonderful fellowship and unity, that all who walk through our doors will experience the love of Christ.
