Called to More Connection
Called to More: Capital Campaign Series • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 12 viewsWhen they were walking in the Spirit, the first-century church was truly a family. Luke wrote that they “had all things in common.” Which means they shared nearly everything, their homes, money, food, and lives. They were not devoted to their own individual pursuits, but to their common goal and mission. In many ways, our church building is a “common house.” It is a house we share with one another, to connect with each other and share our lives with one another. In order for us to make room in this house for our growing family, we must learn from the early Christians.
Notes
Transcript
Called to More
Called to More
The question we ask kids all the time, “What do you want be…when you grow up?”
Most of us thought
what’s fun?
what am I good at?
what will make money?
Very few of us probably asked
what would be best for my parents?
what do my siblings need me to do?
what does the church need me to do?
When the Lord calls us to a life of salvation, he also calls us to share our lives with a spiritual family.
When the Lord calls us to a life of salvation, he also calls us to share our lives with a spiritual family.
I love this spiritual family
We are closely connected
But God is calling us to MORE CONNECTION
Context
First church in the world - Jerusalem
Day 1 - 3,000 members
Don’t know how many stayed in Jerusalem
here is how they shared their lives with each other
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.
apostles’ teaching
they didn’t have the written gospel accounts
they had the apostles to share the stories
teach them how to become more like Jesus
until you’re exactly like Jesus, you’re being called to learn more of the apostles’ teaching
the fellowship
fellowship is not a potluck meal, it’s a potluck life
we throw our whole selves into the pot
it’s “partnership”
until you’re fully connected to the body, you’re being called to more connection
the breaking of bread
did they take communion
or share meals
YES! Both!
until we eat of the messianic banquet feast, you’re being called to more breaking of bread
THE prayers
not just “prayer”
these were prayers at regular intervals
ninth hour / 3 in the afternoon
until God’s will is done on earth as it is in heaven, you’re being called to more prayers
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.
Had all things in common
This is what we do in a family, isn’t it?
We share everything!
Not “MY COUCH,” it’s “OUR COUCH”
Not “MY DINNER TABLE,” it’s “OUR DINNER TABLE”
Not “MY CAR,” it’s “OUR CAR”
This building is our shared/common house
This is our living room
Where we break bread together and encourage each other
Selling and distributing
In some ways this has never stopped happening
Last year, 466 families
Collectively shared over $60,000 EVERY WEEK to support the ministries of this congregation.
You might not have sold “possessions and belongings” to give to the church
Plenty of people sold their dream of something in order to share weekly with the church
…the dream of a boat and gave the money to the church
…the dream of a sports car and gave the monthly payments
…the dream of a vacation home and gave the down payment
No one
Taxed them
Commanded them
Compelled them to give a certain percentage
They just acted like family, everyone shared whatever they could share.
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.
received their food
receive your share in something
participate in a communal meal
“day by day” = every day
church wasn’t a Sunday event to attend
it was daily life
temple and homes
should Christians be coming together in huge groups in a big facility
OR should Christians be gathering in small groups in homes
YES! BOTH!
McDermott Road Stats
Over 900 members in life groups (64% - room for growth)
We had 225 people at our Chili Super last month
Our fellowship hall is already RESERVED over 800 hours this year
the Lord added to their number - More Growth
healthy churches grow
connected churches grow
This level of CONNECTION, nothing could be better, but also nothing could more COUNTERCULTURAL
In a world of increased isolation, the Spirit is calling us to more connection.
In a world of increased isolation, the Spirit is calling us to more connection.
Technology gives the illusion of connection
but humans have NEVER been as isolated and lonely as they are
they are starving for connection
they are starving for ways to be TOGETHER
No matter how connected you are to the body
the Spirit is calling toward more connection
share more of your life with your brothers and sisters
financially
Bible classes
Wednesday night
Invitation
When we’re baptized, we’re sharing our whole self with the Lord and his church, we are allowing ourselves to be fully connected
Maybe some of us need to recommit ourselves to this connection
