The Journey - Traveling Party

If you’ve ever taken a road trip, you know that it is important who is in that car with you.

When I was growing up, we had a way to tell who was going to be sitting in the front seat. When in the sight of the vehicle, you could yell shotgun and thus claiming the front seat. As I’ve gotten older, I realize that we were perhaps a little reckless with who got to sit up front. That front seat is a big responsibility.

That is a huge responsibility.

You should stay awake. (Especially at night.)

You should actually talk to the driver. (Especially at night.)

You should handle the directions well.

You are responsible for the radio.

You open drinks for the driver…and replace the cap when he/she is done.

Nowadays we need to add that this person should not be on their phone the whole time.

It’s a huge responsibility. So much so that you can’t call shotgun in my car. You earn shotgun. And you can be fired.

Now many of us when it comes to life, we like to think of ourselves as driving and everyone else along for the ride serving us on our journey. This is important, because we’re not. We’re asked repeated to serve others.

Rick Warren famously started his “The Purpose Driven Life” with, “It’s not about you.” Which regardless of what you think of Rick Warren, that is solid biblical advice.

The journey of life is not about us, but about God. And we don’t really get to pick who gets shoved in our car.

Sitz im Leben:

Early church was made up of people who were largely dependent on the church. To follow Jesus meant to abandon all. Sons and daughters were disowned. Wives were divorced. Wealthy people were dispatched from their wealth and their positions in the society. It was a tough time to follow Jesus. And one made that decision lightly. But when you encounter Jesus like these people did, was it really a choice?

That’s where the church came and surrounded the disenfranchised with love and compassion and they were invited on the journey of faith.

Acts 2:42–47 ESV

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.

:42-47

Almost as important as the journey you’re on are the people you take with you.

Big Idea: Don’t be a lone ranger....Journey together:

Choose people for your journey....

1. Who is DEVOTED to the same PURPOSE. ()

The journey of faith is about joining a 2000 year old journey. It’s not about starting your own. It’s easy to get conceited, like you know the way.

Illustration: When I was a freshman in college, I was one of the only people to have a car at school on campus. So I was immediately everyone’s best friend.

There was one guy who was sneaky though. He’d say, hey want to go to lunch? I’m buying? And to get off campus and eat something other than cafeteria food was a welcome get away. But there was always a catch. on the way, he would say, can we make a quick stop. it wasn’t usually quick. I would get lunched....it was usually rushed. And then only the way home another stop. What I thought was lunch turned out to be an all day event.

We weren’t devoted to the same purpose. I wanted lunch and he wasn’t honest about his purpose.

The early church was devoted to the apostles teaching which were given to them directly from Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

These early people were devoted to the same thing…Jesus. Were wiling to give up all to follow Jesus. and recognized that they didn’t just need others, but were ok with others needing them.

2. Who CARES about GOD and OTHERS. (Acts 2:44-45)

Sometimes caring for others means that you accommodate their need to go to the bathroom every 30 minutes.

Let me tell you the tale of 2 buses.

Illustration: The first bus is a greyhound bus traveling from San Francisco to LA. You have a seat, but you don’t know who is on it. You’re biggest fear is who is going to be sitting next to you?

The second bus is a charter bus filled with people you know and care about. You sing songs. You move seats to be with different friends.

Which would you rather be on?

The truth is that many in Christianity have settled for community without connection.

These early church people loved each other. They cared for each other. They embodied jesus’ command to love one another.

My guess is that first church was exciting. And here’s the kicker, they did it with 3,000 people.

3. Who makes TIME for GOD and OTHERS. ()

It’s one thing to care about people from afar. To say, I’ll pray for you. Or even here’s a check. It’s something else to actually carve out room in your schedule to be there for each other.

The early church did this in light of their worship for God. They gathered together to pray, to sing songs, and to worship God. In the midst of their community was room for God.

We have to be very careful that in our connection and community, that we don’t exclude God from the journey.

4. Who makes ROOM for more to JOIN their journey. ()

God was sending them new people each and every day.

I had a weird dream. As I was meditating on the idea that God added 3,000 people to the church in one day and was adding day by day. I had a dream that 1200 people showed up to church today. It was chaos. I woke up in a cold sweat…with one thought. We’re not ready for that.

But the truth is that God is in the business of saving souls and adding them to the community of faith. He’s in the business of adding them to those who make room for them.

I look around this room and I see a lot of empty seats. And I know that we certainly have the room in the building. The question is do we have room in our hearts for more.

Community is more than just biological family.

Illustration: As God has added to my family, it has presented challenges in transportation. When it was just the 2 of us, we could get by with a 4 seater. Even when Mia came along, 4 seats was fine. But here’s the problem. There wouldn’t be room for anyone else. If family came in from out of town, we’d need to rent a vehicle.

Reflection: Who is on your journey with you?