Harmony in the Church

Text: Acts: 4:32 Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common.

Introduction: Mark Twain once said,"I built a cage and in it I put a dog and a cat. After a little training I got the dog and the cat to the point where they lived peaceably together. Then I introduced a pig, a goat, a kangaroo, some birds, and a monkey. And after a few adjustments, they learned to live in harmony together. So encouraged was I by such successes that I added an Irish Catholic, a Presbyterian, a Jew, a Muslim from Turkestan, and a Buddhist from China, along with a Baptist missionary. And in a very short time, there wasn’t a single living thing left in the cage."

Our text today gives us some insight on how the 1st century church worshipped in harmony with one another. Allow me to get away from my standard 3 points and add two more, which will be five points today and I assure you that you will get out the same time as usual. Pending the Holy Spirit doesn’t alter the course of the message. So what does an harmonious church look like?

A multitude believing the gospel of Jesus Christ. (Acts 4:33)

What does the church look like in harmony? Should the church function as a team of believers with the same mission? Most would answer yes to these two questions. Even those who refuse to do so by their actions and demeanor will answer with a resounding yes to these two questions. So why is it that we struggle as we congregate in houses of worship across the nation and around the world to be one church in harmony. Let me suggest to you today that selfishness, greed, and abuse of power are three main ingredients that hinder harmony.

A multitude living constantly by the power of prayer (Acts 1:14, 2:1, 42, 4:24, 31)

The design of worship or fellowship with one another suggests to us that if its genuine there will be some harmony or a common bond or goal that the group is focused on. Prayer is essential to the Christian if he or she is going to be faithful to the cause of Christ. If the church prayed together with one focus in mind, that would produce harmony. When the focus is on ideas and things that are not conducive for harmony there will always be confusion and chaos. This is why the Bible teaches us, “ Men ought to always pray and not faint.” (Lk. 18:1) Jesus Christ and His way should be every church’s focus. What is His way? His way is the way of righteousness. Our thoughts neither our ways are like the Lords. If our ways are to align with His ways, our minds have to transformed and renewed. (Romans 12:1-2)

A multitude filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 4:31)

The multitudes concentration and consecration to prayer was key to to the place being shaken as a result of their praying. They prayed and asked God for boldness as the spoke God’s Word. Because they were unified they were filled with the Holy Spirit. When we unite for the common cause and have the intent to accomplish His will, the Spirit empowers us to do a work for Christ.

A multitude inspired with mutual love and concern in a time of common danger and need (Acts 4:15-22)

After being let go Peter and John goes back to the group of disciples and report what was told them by Annas, Caiaphas and the Sadducees. And when they heard that, they lifted their voices to God in one accord. The prayer they prayed is listed in verses 24-30. Read it at your leisure. They cooperated with one another. This is unusual to see in our modern churches. The text says, the full number of those who believed were of one heart, and soul, and no one disagreed with what the group had decided to do. All of them had the same mutual love and respect for each other. They all had the same spiritual desires. They shared what they had with others. This is no time to look out for only yourself, these are critical and dangerous days, wear your mask, social distance yourselves, constantly wash your hands. When we all do it it shows a type of mutual love and respect for others. Stop worrying about goin back inside, some of you’ll are acting the same way outside that you were inside. Gossiping, causing dissension, talking about folk, aint doing what you were supposed to do outside nor inside. Maybe if we stopped some of this foolishness and pray for a healing of our hearts and minds, God will deliver us from the Pandemic.

A multitude in harmony as a result of all this (Acts 4:32)

“Yes men and women of one heart and one soul.” The full number says the scriptures, many minds, many dispositions, many tempers; but knit together as the heart of one man. The Holy Spirit rested on the entire community, first, in the very way they had asked to do so, because they did it in boldness, then the Spirit melted down all selfishness and feelings of individuality causing them to realize the importance of Christian unity. The Spirit had a profound effect on their minds and God’s grace was upon them all. Yes the grace of God rested on the entire community.

Closure: Yes, we serve that sam omnipotent God today. who can bring harmony among the fellowship of believers. Our story is an example of what God can do for those who are serious about worshipping and serving Him. We must believe that He rewards those who are faithful, pray, cooperate and call upon His name. It does not matter what we as believers go through in this life, we must continue to speak the Word with boldness and pray until the power of the Holy Ghost come on down. Yes, send it on down , send it on down , Lord let your Holy ghost come on down. Yes, coronavirus will not stop us from calling on the name of Jesus. It may affect and infect us, take many lives but Jesus still reigns. “Ain’t He alright! Jesus the lily of the valley, Jesus the brighter than the morning star