Resolutions for a Revolution

I. Introduction - 3 Cheers for 2020!

3 cheers for 2020, am I right? What a phenomenal year for the church, our country, and the world! Yeah? Is no one with me on that one? Did I misinterpret the times? We all know nothing is farther from the truth. 2020 has been a pretty rough year, hasn’t it? Like 3 months ago I accidentally used my wife’s toothbrush. It’s been a terrible year. Joking aside, though, it was rough. COVID has spread across the world like wildfire. Governments across the world have shut down their economies to try to stop its spread. Churches have closed their doors and been prevented from meeting. Business have closed and people lost their livelihoods. Layoffs, unemployment, social restrictions, lost community, increasing mental health problems—all of these issues have been the reality for too many people in the world over the last year. If there has ever been a year in the history of the world in which people were so hopeful for a new year to roll in, this is it. And because of the widespread problems we have all encountered, many of you, if you’re the resolution type, have already made your resolutions. Some of you have lost loved ones and you have now resolved to spend more time with friends and family. Some of you experienced health crises and you resolved to live healthier—to eat better and exercise more. Some of you experienced financial hardship and therefore resolved to pay down debt or spend less money. Some of you lost a job and resolved to learn a new skill to open up new opportunities. Some of you walked into church 10 minutes late today and realized your organizational skills are a wreck, so you’ve resolved to get a planner. And while all of these are valid and good resolutions, the reality is that 90% of the time, by February we have already failed.

What we’ll see in our passage today is a group of people who were also on the precipice of something new. A group who can show us a better way. Let’s read our passage together.

Acts 2:42–47 ESV

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

PRAY

II. Background

III. Body

I. The disciples had uncommon devotion

[Locate]

Acts 2:42 ESV

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

[Explain]

[Bridge]

II. Their devotion led to uncommon community

[Locate]

Acts 2:44–45 ESV

44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.

[Explain]

[Bridge]

III. Their community produced uncommon attitudes

[Locate]

Acts 2:46 ESV

46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts,

[Explain]

[Bridge]

IV. Their uncommon lives resulted in God’s mighty work

[Locate]

Acts 2:47 ESV

47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

[Explain]

[Bridge]

IV. Conclusion