Untitled Sermon

United We Stand: The Strength of Christian Community

Bible Passage: Acts 2:42

Summary: Acts 2:42 highlights the essential practices that defined the early church community, including dedication to the teachings of the apostles, shared meals, fellowship, and prayer. This passage illustrates how these communal activities not only fostered a sense of belonging but also empowered believers to face external conflicts and hardships together as a unified body in Christ.

Application: This sermon can encourage Christians to recognize the importance of community in their spiritual lives, especially in times of trial. By participating in a vibrant community, believers can draw strength from one another, share burdens, and cultivate resilience, understanding that together they are stronger than when they stand alone.

Teaching: The teaching emphasizes that Christian community is an essential element for spiritual resilience and growth. Active participation in communal practices helps believers develop deeper relationships, encourages accountability, and cultivates an environment where they can confidently face life's challenges as a united front.

How this passage could point to Christ: This passage points to Christ as the ultimate unifying figure who draws believers together into one body. The early church's practices reflect His teachings and example, calling His followers to love and support one another, which demonstrates His presence among them and empowers their communal life.

Big Idea: Through commitment to community practices, Christians can harness the strength found in unity, facing life’s challenges together, and becoming a powerful witness of Christ’s love in a fragmented world.

Recommended Study: As you prepare this sermon, delve into the historical and cultural context of Acts 2 to understand the significance of community in the early church. Look for insights on how communal practices might have helped them navigate societal pressures and division. Utilize Logos to find commentaries that explore the dynamics of early Christian fellowship and their relevance for contemporary church life.

1. Devotion to Doctrine

Acts 2:42

You could explore how devotion to apostolic teaching in Acts 2:42 formed the foundation of early Christian community, providing unity and strength necessary to face external pressures. Highlight Christ's unifying role through His teachings, enabling believers to stand as one body. Encourage the congregation to value scriptural teachings and immerse themselves in community study to fortify their collective faith.

2. Fellowship and Feasts

Acts 2:42

Perhaps you could examine the communal spirit fostered through shared meals and fellowship in Acts 2:42, reflecting Christ's model of inclusive love. This practice nurtured relational bonds, offering support and strength in trying times. Suggest that believers deepen their commitment to fellowship, understanding each meal shared strengthens their unity in Christ.

3. Power in Prayer

Acts 2:42

Maybe you could reveal the powerful impact of prayer as described in Acts 2:42, uniting the early church in their reliance on God's strength and guidance. Prayer becomes a collective plea for resilience and courage in adversity. Urge believers to engage in communal prayer, enhancing their spiritual fortitude and unity as Christ empowered His followers.

Breaking Bread:

Luke 24:30–31When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight.Acts 2:42And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.Acts 20:7On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight.1 Cor 10:16–17The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.Matt 26:26Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.”Mark 14:22And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.”Luke 22:19And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”Acts 2:46And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts,1 Cor 11:23–26For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.Acts 27:35And when he had said these things, he took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all he broke it and began to eat.

Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible Lord’s Supper, The

According to

Breaking bread holds significant religious and social importance, particularly in Christian tradition. It refers to the act of sharing a meal, often with spiritual connotations. In early Christian practice, "breaking of bread" became a technical term for a special religious act, distinct from ordinary meals[1]. This practice was closely associated with the Lord's Supper or Eucharist, commemorating Christ's last meal with his disciples[2]. The act of breaking bread symbolizes Christ's body broken for believers and represents the unity of the church[2][3]. It was considered so important that it became a designation for the sacrament itself in early Christian communities[1][3]. The practice evolved from daily occurrences to weekly gatherings on the Lord's day[1]. In some contexts, "breaking bread" also referred to the love feasts (agape) that early Christians celebrated alongside the Lord's Supper[4][5]. These communal meals fostered fellowship and remembered Christ's sacrifice, combining spiritual significance with social bonding[1][5].

[1] Sydney C. Gayford, “CHURCH,” in A Dictionary of the Bible: Dealing with Its Language, Literature, and Contents Including the Biblical Theology, ed. James Hastings et al. (New York; Edinburgh: Charles Scribner’s Sons; T. & T. Clark, 1911–1912), 428. [2] Geerhardus Vos, Reformed Dogmatics, ed. and trans. Richard B. Gaffin Jr., vol. 5 (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012–2016), 211. [3] Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, vol. 3 (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997), 619. [4] Kenneth O. Gangel, Acts, vol. 5, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1998), 476. [5] John M’Clintock and James Strong, “Lord’s Supper,” in Cyclopædia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature (New York: Harper & Brothers, Publishers, 1882), 511.