From Where You Are

. The last couple of weeks we have been in this scripture in Acts, focusing on the early church being aware of the needs of the community, and the early church gaining the favor of all the people for the way that held themselves and genuinely lived out what they believed.

Acts 2:42–47 NKJV

And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

. Today i want to talk about something i believe is a misconception that people have as believers and especially as new believers.

. and that is the belief that we have to reach a certain point of understanding, or a certain level of knowledge/ commitment before we can begin to do these things that we have been talking about.

. but this was not the case in the early church, and it should not be the case in the modern church. and perhaps it is something we are conditioned to believe because that's how it works in other areas of life?

. for example when you start a new job, you are not on the same level as everyone else, you are considered a trainee, you often get paid less, and have to wear a badge that identify you differently from the others workers. and you on what is often refereed to a trail period.

.(when i started work at KFC i was ‘Paul”)

. This is not the reality that believers face though when they become a part of God’s church!

. the very end of the scripture we read say’s “And the Lord added daily to the church those who were being saved”

. and what this is teaching us i believe is that the moment a person committed their lives to Jesus, accepted him as their Lord and Savior, they immediately become a part of the family of God and of the church.

. and what this verse speaks to me, is that as the new believers each day were added to the number of believers, they immediately began to live their lives in the same way as the other believers.

. They immediately begin to be aware of the needs that were around them, and there lives began to be lived in such a way that they along with all the others worked towards to favor that the early church held in the community.

. There were no thoughts of im not ready yet, or i haven't been in this long enough to be able to reach out. it was this immediate response to a knowledge of God and his calling on the church to begin to live in such a way that brought favour to the local church in its community.

. and sometime when we are not where we think we should be, and maybe this is in our walk with God maybe the job we are in or the place we live.

. it is never about where we are that matters to God, because we need to understand that God knows all and sees all, he is simply calling you and i no matter where we are to shine his light and reach this community.

1 Peter 3:15 NKJV

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;

. our hope in God should be visible in our walks even through the darkest and toughest times, and when we feel like we are not where we should be. God is saying “but you are right where i need you to be”

. ‘read follow the oxen’