Christians love the church

Do you love Covenant Reformed church?

Fizzle Obstacle: too base, too common, too real. We wanted radical, instant, independent, and emotional.

Learn Church (being Christian)

In America, the problem goes back to the First Great Material elements, like hearing, bread and wine could no longer serve as means of communion with God. This was too base, too common, too real. We wanted radical, instant, independent, and emotional. In order to not lose people, the church had to give up the ordinary means of grace for a performance of the radical with lights turned down in the sanctuary that you might have that independence even in a crowd; you can turn within for immediacy while the band strikes your emotional cord.

This awe is reverential fear. It’s the fear of God that strikes the very soul. This fear sparks wisdom.

Do you love Covenant Reformed church? The Christians in the book of Acts really loved their church. When you study Christian history, the same picture emerges. Christians love the church. This love however is beginning to fizzle. In America, the problem goes back to the First Great Awakening, where Christians wanting an immediate connection to the divine, began seeing church as an obstacle. Christians wanted ecstatic and mystical experiences and so began an exodus away from the church. For example, the famous transcendental poet, Ralph Waldo Emerson rejected his ordination because he denied a mediated encounter with the Lord in the Eucharist. He wanted to experience God immediately without means of bread and wine. He turned away from the church by turning into himself. Soon titles like “Experiencing God” became the norm. Material elements, like hearing, bread and wine could no longer serve as means of communion with God. This was too base, too common, too real. We wanted radical, instant, independent, and emotional. In order to not lose people, the church had to give up the ordinary means of grace for a performance of the radical with lights turned down in the sanctuary that you might have that independence even in a crowd; you can turn within for immediacy while the band strikes your emotional cord.

We need to learn to be the church again. We have to get back to being Christian. We need to get back to Acts. Acts 2:43a. This awe is reverential fear. It’s the fear of God that strikes the very soul. This fear sparks wisdom.

This is the knowledge that forsakes a dying world… We want the knowledge of another world, the age to come that breaks into this day to create a holy space. The Word breaks in today that we might see God at work among us . In Acts God was at work through means.

It’s the Acts of the Apostles

Christ uses means. We are a people of the ear, water, bread, and wine.

Mediation is the Biblical way. The fear we see here does not come about because men experienced marvelous deeds. It’s the fear of God, which the disciples…

They were afraid… How do we know God. The Hypostatic Union shows us that we need mediation.

Now when I say we have to get back to Acts… We are not to repeat these signs but to believe in them “and all who believed.” These men have given us the Word of God ().

Do we repeat the cross?

Birth of the church

The Apostles ministry focused on the Word. Wherever growth occurs, it is attributed to the Word (; ; ). It is the Word that prevails against darkness not signs and wonders. So Paul adds that Christ in his ascension distributed gifts: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. Through their ministry the saints will be built up into the body of Christ, “until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,” no longer tossed back and forth “with every wind of doctrine” (). We need to get back to Acts means we need to get back to the means of grace. We love the church because here Bible is ours

We love the church because we love to be together . We should repeat this. What should we repeat? Is it communism .

Separate Compounds

Voluntary and occasional.

Their needs were related to the physical and social environment in which they found themselves. Believers continued to maintain their own homes and used them for the benefit of others in the church (cf. ).

Private party

This verse does not rule out private party. We are not to give everything to everyone because we would then not have anything to give anyone. That’s the problem with the communal lifestyle, separation from the world. How are we to be salt and light in the world when we are not in the world. The medieval age gave us monks and nuns who were holier than thou because they owned nothing. The Reformers however asked, “How are you to follow the apostles’ teaching when you have nothing to sell nor any help to give to those in need.” So the Reformers emphasized the holiness of common vocation. The Lord has called you to a common vocation. It’s your divine calling to be a nurse, engineer, teacher, financial consultant, salesman, mother, husband and so forth for the betterment of society and the church. So, make money.

Problem Communial

Does that sound worldly? The doctrine of scarcity… This is the common here, giving to the poor “as any had need.” It was occasional and dictated by the needs of the day. Here’s the truth for us, that which is worth repeating: where is your treasure. If you love Christ and his church, your heart will follow. It will bring along…

Does that sound worldly? The doctrine of scarcity teaches us to make money, use it to make more, hide, and give it to none– that’s worldly. You can also spend it all on yourself and run up debt, that’s worldly. There is a third day, the biblical way, work hard for the Lord, make as much as you can, be wise with it, so that you can be ready to give it readily and cheerfully for the welfare of one another. This is the common here, giving to the poor “as any had need.” It was occasional and dictated by the needs of the day. Here’s the truth for us, that which is worth repeating: where is your treasure. If you love Christ and his church, your heart will follow. It will bring along with it your wallet. Why money, mediation, it is a means to an end— mercy. People need food and shelter. These things are never free no matter how hard you pray for it.

Here’s the point, we are saved by Christ... in Scripture… added… There is no faith without the faithful. We are “catholic” persons. We are therefore not our own… believers and children…

We love the church because we love being together. We love caring for one another. We love to worship together . We love public worship because of the means of grace. We love to hear God’s Word and to participate in the Sacraments. It’s our life line. We also love Christian hospitality . Hospitality is the gold standard of Christian living. The early church shared their lives together in a sincere way, “with glad and generous hearts.” The young church had a disciplined and brotherly lifestyle. This is worth repeating open your homes and hearts to one another.

They were worshipers of God . Praising God is the purpose of the church.

Love Shorter

Interestingly enough this religious fervor found them favor among men . This favor will not last.

God worked in Paul the greatest love for Christ’s church that has ever been recorded.

Paul no doubt loved worship for he explains… hearing… communion… .These are all good reasons… God loves the church . The Lord loves the church so much he sent…

Christ died only for the church. He didn’t die…

Lastly, we love the church because those being saved are saved by means of the church. How were those being saved, saved? Their sins were washed with baptism (). They were then “added to their number” that is added to the local visible church. Those being saved were saved by means of church membership. The visible church is made up of a definable group that is ever growing. You identify Christians, new converts “those being saved” by their local membership in Christ’s church. This truth is dead… So we love Covenant Reformed Church. We care for an actual people… until Christ calls us home or returns—Maranatha—Come Lord Jesus come and unite the church militant with your church in glory that we together might glorify and enjoy you forever and ever. Amen.

Here’s the point, we are saved by Christ as individuals but not in an individual way. Individuals, in Scripture are always added to the church. There is no faith without the faithful. We are “catholic” persons. We are therefore not our own, but belong body and soul in life and death to Christ and his church, who are believers and their children. We need to love everyone in the church. We need to see everyone grow in fear and admonition. We need to care for everyone’s needs. And also for those who are far off. This is the love of the local church and love for the Great Commission. We give money for mercy and missions.

We need to learn to be the church again. We have to get back to being Christian. We need to get back to Acts. . This awe is reverential fear. It’s the fear of God that strikes the very soul. This fear sparks wisdom.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;

This is the knowledge that forsakes a dying world, her pleasure and pursuits. We want the knowledge of another world, the age to come that breaks into this day to create a holy space. The Word breaks in today that we might see God at work among us . In Acts God was at work through means. It’s the Acts of the Apostles because the church recognized the “many wonders and signs… done through the apostles.” That’s well and good but for me it’s the Acts of Christ’s Continuing Ministry because it was Christ’s Spirit working through these men. Christ uses means. We are a people of the ear, water, bread, and wine.

Mediation is the Biblical way. The fear we see here does not come about because men experienced marvelous deeds. It’s the fear of God, which the disciples, when Christ rebuked the raging storm and calmed the seas.

And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

Lastly, we love the church because those being saved are saved by means of the church. How were those being saved, saved? Their sins were washed with baptism (). They were then “added to their number” that is added to the local visible church. Those being saved were saved by means of church membership. The visible church is made up of a definable group that is ever growing. You identify Christians, new converts “those being saved” by their local membership in Christ’s church. This truth is dead in American religion, but it is the life of God’s Word. So we love Covenant Reformed Church. We care for an actual people, whom we know, whose we are united to, whom we care for, and live the rest of our lives with together until Christ calls us home or returns—Maranatha—Come Lord Jesus come and unite the church militant with your church in glory that we together might glorify and enjoy you forever and ever. Amen.

They were afraid of a man, “who then is this.” They were not afraid of just any man, but “the Word became flesh (mediation) and dwelt among and we have seen his glory, the glory of the only begotten Son from the Father.” How do we know God. The Hypostatic Union shows us that we need mediation.

Now when I say we have to get back to Acts, some hear we need to get back to signs and wonders. So we have Apostles and charismata. We are not to repeat these signs but to believe in them “and all who believed.” These men have given us the Word of God (). Do we repeat the cross? In the same way we don’t repeat everything the apostles did. This is the birth of the church, the in-breaking of the new age that came with wonder. It continues to break forth, through the preaching of the Word. The Apostles ministry focused on the Word. Wherever growth occurs, it is attributed to the Word (; ; ). It is the Word that prevails against darkness not signs and wonders. So Paul adds that Christ in his ascension distributed gifts: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. Through their ministry the saints will be built up into the body of Christ, “until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,” no longer tossed back and forth “with every wind of doctrine” (). We need to get back to Acts means we need to get back to the means of grace. We love the church because here Bible is ours

We love the church because we love to be together . We should repeat this. What should we repeat? Is it communism . Are we to separate from the world into compounds under the guidance of communalism. It is important to note that this sharing of possessions was voluntary and occasional. Their needs were related to the physical and social environment in which they found themselves. Believers continued to maintain their own homes and used them for the benefit of others in the church (cf. ). This verse does not rule out private party. We are not to give everything to everyone because we would then not have anything to give anyone. That’s the problem with the communal lifestyle, separation from the world. How are we to be salt and light in the world when we are not in the world. The medieval age gave us monks and nuns who were holier than thou because they owned nothing. The Reformers however asked, “How are you to follow the apostles’ teaching when you have nothing to sell nor any help to give to those in need.” So the Reformers emphasized the holiness of common vocation. The Lord has called you to a common vocation. It’s your divine calling to be a nurse, engineer, teacher, financial consultant, salesman, mother, husband and so forth for the betterment of society and the church. So, make money.

Does that sound worldly? The doctrine of scarcity teaches us to make money, use it to make more, hide, and give it to none– that’s worldly. You can also spend it all on yourself and run up debt, that’s worldly. There is a third day, the biblical way, work hard for the Lord, make as much as you can, be wise with it, so that you can be ready to give it readily and cheerfully for the welfare of one another. This is the common here, giving to the poor “as any had need.” It was occasional and dictated by the needs of the day. Here’s the truth for us, that which is worth repeating: where is your treasure. If you love Christ and his church, your heart will follow. It will bring along with it your wallet. Why money, mediation, it is a means to an end— mercy. People need food and shelter. These things are never free no matter how hard you pray for it.

Here’s the point, we are saved by Christ as individuals but not in an individual way. Individuals, in Scripture are always added to the church. There is no faith without the faithful. We are “catholic” persons. We are therefore not our own, but belong body and soul in life and death to Christ and his church, who are believers and their children. We need to love everyone in the church. We need to see everyone grow in fear and admonition. We need to care for everyone’s needs. And also for those who are far off. This is the love of the local church and love for the Great Commission. We give money for mercy and missions.

We love the church because we love being together. We love caring for one another. We love to worship together . We love public worship because of the means of grace. We love to hear God’s Word and to participate in the Sacraments. It’s our life line. We also love Christian hospitality . Hospitality is the gold standard of Christian living. The early church shared their lives together in a sincere way, “with glad and generous hearts.” The young church had a disciplined and brotherly lifestyle. This is worth repeating open your homes and hearts to one another.

They were worshipers of God . Praising God is the purpose of the church. I love the shorter catechism here, “What is the chief end of man? To glorify God and to enjoy him forever.” It doesn’t get any better or more beautiful than that. Interestingly enough this religious fervor found them favor among men . This favor will not last. For the hatred of Christ’s church was no doubt, at this time, as the young church was gaining ground, so too it was drawing the interest of a young zealot Saul of Tarsus. He as we know will be no match for God’s mighty signs and wonders. God worked in Paul the greatest love for Christ’s church that has ever been recorded.

Paul no doubt loved worship for he explains in detail what it must look like. He loved the preached Word of God, so he said things like “Faith comes by hearing.” He loved the sacraments, so he called it communion with the Lord. He loved Christian fellowship, so he has given us many one another’s in Scripture. These are all good reasons to love the church. But you know why he really loved the church? He loved the church most of all because God loves the church . The Lord loves the church so much he sent his only begotten Son to die for her. Christ loved the church so much that he willingly gave his life for you, to wash you of all sin, to cloth you in his righteousness, and to sanctify you as his spotless bride. The Holy Spirit loves the church so much that he goes to the ends of the earth to round up all the stray sheep into the Lord’s sheepfold.

Christ died only for the church. He didn’t die for the Republican Party, Christian schools, or Amazon. So, out of every institution in the world, Christians love the church the most. Only the church was purchased with Christ’s precious blood, the most costly payment ever.

Lastly, we love the church because those being saved are saved by means of the church. How were those being saved, saved? Their sins were washed with baptism (). They were then “added to their number” that is added to the local visible church. Those being saved were saved by means of church membership. The visible church is made up of a definable group that is ever growing. You identify Christians, new converts “those being saved” by their local membership in Christ’s church. This truth is dead in American religion, but it is the life of God’s Word. So we love Covenant Reformed Church. We care for an actual people, whom we know, whose we are united to, whom we care for, and live the rest of our lives with together until Christ calls us home or returns—Maranatha—Come Lord Jesus come and unite the church militant with your church in glory that we together might glorify and enjoy you forever and ever. Amen.