Acts The Story Continues (11)

Lets Make Church Great Again!

I read things in the bible about the first century church and I begin to wonder how things got so far out of wack from God’s original design. Last week we talked about what it was to be a disciple and what it is to disciple someone else. We did an in depth study on Verse 42 and what that looks like in today’s world. Let me tell you, I’m not one of those super touchy feely pastors who weep and cry. There is nothing wrong with it, It’s just not me. But it truly saddens my heart to see the state the church is in today—and by church I mean Christians and what passes as Christianity.

I want to look into

Acts 2:43 ESV

And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.

Specifically at the word awe. Because if the bible states that it came upon every soul we should know what people are experiencing.

Awe

The term used is

Phobos

Which means fear or panic. And I began to ask myself what people were afraid of. Because if you looks at today’s Gospel people will tell you how Jesus died so you can be wealthy. He died so you can be healthy, happy, Not free from sin—you can go on sinning and the best part you don’t have to worry about the consequences of sin, because ya know that’s what Jesus truly came to save us from. With this as today’s message I’m surprised more and more people aren’t being saved. The way I see many Christians live and hear many Christians talk about salvaiton—why were people so fearful?

Some translations even use the word terror to describe their feeling. Could you imagine terrifying people with the gospel. Ya’ll would kick me out. What was so terrifying? People hearing about Christ were terrified to die without Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Did you know that Jesus talked more about Hell while on Earth than Heaven. AND That the new testament talks more about sin, how to become free from it, the consequences of it and how to have power over it than it does about the material blessings God wants to bestow up you. I’m not going to beat a dead horse, but it’s something we truly need to think about. \

Are you through your discussions, and life examples telling people that it’s ok to continue in Sin and Follow Jesus?

2 Peter 2:1 ESV

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.

2 Timothy 3:5 ESV

having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.

2 Timothy

Matthew 18:6 ESV

but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

There are 100’s of verses in the bible that declare your destruction, if you confess Jesus as your Lord and Savior and yet live like he doesn’t even exist.

So How Should Christian’s Acts—What Should Church look like?

Acts 2:43–46 ESV

And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts,

Biblical Socialism

I use such a controversial the question is surprisingly common:

Does God Support Socialism? and people use these verses to give reason to their question and the answer is

Yes, God supports BIBLICAL Socialism.

Back when the first church started one of the biggest things that drew people into a relationship with Christ, despite heavy persecution, was the relationship amongst church people. Now I hear Christians are the cause of why people will never believe in God. This week I started a new contracting job. One of the first things the owner talked about once he found out I was a Pastor was the Christian family that he just did work for. They bugged him, and I mean bugged him with texts and repeated comments about how he should come to church with them. When was he going to go to church with them. HE needed to know Jesus. And when it came time to pay the $19k construction bill they said “oh, we don’t have the money.” Then he said they can keep their Jesus and their church and just pay me what they owe me. And honestly I couldn’t argue with him. I said, unfortunately, many Christians are Christians in words not in deeds and I apologized.

Church people should want to be apart of our fellowship not because we have the best technology or coolest building, but because we care about each other and are awesome to hang out with. Church should be more fun than you local bar on karaoke night or during football season.

In the first century church People had all things in common. No it didn’t mean they all liked the steelers, BBQ wings, and RedBull. The term means they shared all things. People really did sell their possessions and belongings and distribute them as people had need. Why?

In those days when Jews gave their life to Christ they lost everything. They lost their houses, their jobs, and sometimes even their families, and possessions. Christians were seeing the need and filling those needs. Some people said—Yes I don’t need a half a million dollar house, I can down grade my life so someone else can have a home. I don’t need an extra horse when someone doesn’t even have a coat. They took care of each other and it was more than just skipping a bigmac or starbucks for 2 weeks. People made life changing decisions to help other people out.

I often ask, how fast would we grow if we operated with this much care and concern for other people.

So then the next question asked

Didn’t People take advantage of it?

Paul noticed a trend in the church of the Thessalonians. Paul noticed that this church was in constant need of donations. Not understanding why he went to visit them. Noticing their laziness he stated

2 Thessalonians 3:10 ESV

For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.

Meaning if you aren’t working to provide for yourself then we aren’t sending you any more money. Biblical socialism isn’t taking advantage of each other like the socialism America tries to push. It was everyone doing their part and if someone was in need while doing their part then we would help them out.

A year ago I learned Carl Harris, and evangelist and a true man of God, uses a motor home to drive across America to preach the gospel because it is less of a financial burden for him to drive his coach than it is to drive a car and get a hotel. Well the stupid thing breaks down more than it runs anymore and since then I have been praying and trying to figure out how to buy him a new one. Not because I am wealthy or because he deserves it, but because there is a need that Carl cannot afford to fulfill which also spreads the gospel.

Wouldn’t it be awesome if we as a church could afford to buy Ruth a new house, or Don a new car, or… and the list goes on. Not because they deserve it, but jsut because Christians take care of each other.

So what was the result

Acts 2:46–47 ESV

And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Acts 2:46

The loved on eachother, enjoyed eachother’s company, invited eachother over for meals, and praised God. Every day was Sunday for them. Yes there were times when they would gather like this and hear a message. Paul was so boring someone fell asleep and fell out of a 3rd story window. The service lasted 3 hours. Paul prayed for him. He rose from the dead, everyone moved from their window seat and they continued having church.

It is my heart for this church that we would not just love each other, but like each other to the extent that we desire to spend time with each other outside the Sunday morning service or Thursday food pantry. It wasn’t egg hunts or bouncy houses that brought people to Jesus is was Christians and their love for one another and their desire for the truth that brought people to Christ.

If this is the church you desire would you pray with me.