We were made for each other.

Acts 2:42–47 NASB95

42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. 44 And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; 45 and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. 46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.

If someone asked you to explain the concept of church, what would you say? A Christians response and a non Christian response would vary. If you could define the church in one sentence, how would you word that statement?

My description has changed over the years for various reasons. Less people go to church now in our country than we’ve ever seen before.

The Bible belt is fraying.

Shane Pruitt said earlier this week, “The question used to be why don’t you go to church. Now the question is why would you go to church?”

We’ve discussed testimony and sabbath within the confines of the come. Why do I believe the home such an important place to see ministry happen?

“The home is the most important evangelistic instrument in the believers’ tool kit, especially if our goal is to reach people far from God. The home is where unbelievers can feel the warmth of God’s acceptance. The home is where they can see our way of life up close enough to ask a reason for the hope that enlivens us. The home is where we turn ‘strangers into neighbors and neighbors into family.’” - Rosario Butterfield

Over the next two weeks leading towards Thanksgiving, I want to speak towards the home and and why God is calling us to use them to love other people.

John 15:9–17 NASB95

9 “Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. 10 “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. 11 “These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full. 12 “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. 13 “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. 14 “You are My friends if you do what I command you. 15 “No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. 16 “You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. 17 “This I command you, that you love one another.

John 15:9–17 NASB95

9 “Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. 10 “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. 11 “These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full. 12 “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. 13 “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. 14 “You are My friends if you do what I command you. 15 “No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. 16 “You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. 17 “This I command you, that you love one another.

WE WERE MADE FOR JESUS TO BE MADE FOR ONE ANOTHER!

Acts 2:42–47 NASB95

42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. 44 And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; 45 and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. 46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.

-27

Jesus is not talking to the nonChristians of the world in this passage. He was speaking to His disciples. There is nowhere in scripture that tells other Christians to neglect friendship relationships with one another.

Acts 4:32–35 NASB95

32 And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. 34 For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales 35 and lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need.

Acts 4:32-

If I’m friends with Jesus Christ and you are as well, we were made for one another. This is the church. A group of like-minded friends following Jesus. We are family and when we don’t operate as friends, we are missing the point of who God has made us to be. We are to be united in our love for Christ Jesus that our attitudes towards Him spill toward one another.

We were made to be in relationship. It’s in our DNA. Everyone needs a friend. It doesn’t matter who you are.

Acts 2:42–47 NASB95

42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. 44 And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; 45 and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. 46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Acts 4:32–35 NASB95

32 And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. 34 For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales 35 and lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need.

In friendship, we share:

1. Resources

People in the early church who had property sold it to help other Christians who were in need. Unmovable possession and movable.

They took their possessions and laid them at the feet of the apostles. Literally.

“There will be no poor among you, however, because the Lord is certain to bless you in the land the Lord your God is giving you to possess as an inheritance.” () There was no one around them in need.

4 “There will be no poor among you, however, because the Lord is certain to bless you in the land the Lord your God is giving you to possess as an inheritance

Spurgeon’s New Park Street Chapel. 38 years. People in the community would have felt their absence.

Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

b. The most countercultural way that we can live is give everything we have to other people.

i. I’m not telling you never save or care for you own family. I’m telling that you that there is nothing you have that God didn’t design to be His. When the people of God love Him with reckless abandon, their love for the needy will be authentic.

ii. If the church was doing it’s job, the government would not have to be involved in our affairs so often.

2. Experiences

The church was together often!!! The scriptures say that there was a common link between believers. They ate meals together. In the ancient times, meals were significant and often ended or solidified agreements between people.

Fellowship - From κοινός, common. A relation between individuals which involves a common interest and a mutual, active participation in that interest and in each other.

You and I live in a day when Better Homes & Garden and Fixxer Upper has everyone freaked out about what their house looks like. We are expected to “stage” our homes..

c. Family shouldn’t care what our houses look like or how food tastes. We need the fellowship of one another more than we need to be entertained.

i. Your fear of letting others in is keeping you from relationship. Something has to change. We shouldn’t have be so formal all of the time. We just need each other.

ii. What if we never had leftovers in our fridge anymore? What if we didn’t have to hold on to our problems alone because we shared them with our friend? What if the church loved each other so much that others had to join?

There is great power when we experience Christ together in common fellowship. We have to foster situations that encourage others to join us in life.

3. Observances

The gathered community of believers listened to and followed the teaching of the apostles and devoted themselves to the scriptures.. Breaking of bread also involved the Lords Supper. People gathered for prayer out of reverence for Jesus.

God’s favor was on the believers. The Holy Spirit was in them in a specially powerful way. All selfishness and individuality was melted away. There was true Christian unity.

Common mind and purpose to everything that was happening. The two characteristics corresponded with the two great commandments to love God and others.

The People were dedicated to Christ. They were expectant to see the Holy Spirit reach others. They loved one another with purpose. God saw this attitude and blessed it by adding people to their number.

I’ve churches that exist more like cruise ships and country clubs than the way the New Testament described the church.

b. We have a responsibility to place our focus on Christ solely. When we do, the way we see other believers will be impacted. People want to be a part of what’s real.

When you’re real, people don’t have to question you as often.

We have every resource that we need to be together in Christ! He’s our resource.

"Christ is like a river.… A river is continually flowing, there are fresh supplies of water coming from the fountain-head continually, so that a man may live by it, and be supplied with water all his life. So Christ is an ever-flowing fountain; he is continually supplying his people, and the fountain is not spent. They who live upon Christ, may have fresh supplies from him to all eternity; they may have an increase of blessedness that is new, and new still, and which never will come to an end." - Jonathan Edwards