Acts 2:43-47
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What Church is supposed to be
What Church is supposed to be
Basic Training in FT Leonardwood
First Arrival
Breaking you in phase
step by step instruction for the most basic tasks.
locker, bed, salute, marching,
quick meals
combat training
rifle training
pistol training
job training
As I continued my Military career I attended
Warrior Leadership training
Advanced Leadership training
K9 School and Advanced K9 course.
and many other schools.
English Standard Version Chapter 2
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.
This Passage the story of the first church. These early Christians were Committed, saw the results, and continued
First, they were committed to learning what Jesus taught.
English Standard Version Chapter 2
devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching
Studying doctrine in the Army
Regulations - how to dress, act and behave
policies and procedures - how to perform duties
Study of Church Doctrine
Psalm 119:105 “105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
Proverbs 4:6–7 “6 Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you. 7 The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight.”
how to dress, act and behave according to Scripture
how to be a disciple according to scripture
Next it says they were commited to fellowship
Romans 1:11–12 “11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— 12 that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.”
κοινωνία (koinōnia - an association involving close mutual relations and involvement—‘close association, fellowship
Every military unit needs to have a good morale and unity of mind and action
In the military we train for neuro-synchrony. know what the other is thinking
when we don’t
Injuries, casualties or mission failure
As a church, we need to have unity in mind and action
This is being like-minded. Being of the same spirit. not always in agreement but think with similar thoughts but different perspectives.
if we don’t
End up hurting people we care about. people leave the church.
Committed to eating together
Units eat together
In the military, every unit eats together from time to time, especially in the field or deployed
Jesus’ demonstration of the Lord’s Supper
Revelation 3:20 “20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.”
As Christians, we need to break bread together.
Committed to praying for each other
In the military, I prayed for my brothers and sisters whether they believed or not. Regardless we all cared for each others struggles.
Colossians 4:2–3 “2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word
In the church, we know that when we care about other, we ask God for help in their struggles.
When we are committed to God, We get Results
In the Military, when a unit was committed to these actions they would have great success.
2 Timothy 2:25 “25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth,”
In the church we get great success as well.
Result: Every soul was in Awe of God
When a Military unit is fully committed; people are in awe of what they do together
Psalm 145:3 “3 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.”
When the church is fully committed; everyone is in awe of what God can do through them.
Exodus 15:11 “11 “Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?”
Result: had all things in common
When a Military is of one mind; Their actions are seamless and precise
When the church is in one mind; They become focused on the mission God has for them
1 Peter 1:13 “13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
Result: took care of those in need
A military Unit that is united takes care of each other
Psalm 34:6 “6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles.”
A church that is united cares for the needy.
When a churches are committed and see these results; they will continue in these practices
Continuation: came to church together
When a Unit comes together with high morale, Soldiers want to be around each other.
Acts 14:22 “22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”
When a church meets this level of commitment, they want to continue to be around each other.
Continuation visited each other
Great units have Soldiers that hang out after work
Great churches have people that want to hang out beyond church
Hebrews 13:1 “1 Let brotherly love continue.”
Continuation: Praised God
Great churches praise God
Romans 1:22 “22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools,”
Continuation: Numbers grew
Great churches will continue to grow in numbers because of their spiritual growth.
Psalm 49:11 “11 Their graves are their homes forever, their dwelling places to all generations, though they called lands by their own names.”
Commit to God; look for God’s reward; Continue together with God
