Be Faithful to Gather
Strengthen This Body Through Your Faithfulness! • Sermon • Submitted
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Transcript
Introduction
Attention (Why should they listen to you?)
What is the Hearer’s problem?
What is the Biblical Solution?
What do the hearers need to know?
Main Textual Idea:
Main Idea: When the Faithful Gather, God Does Something Great!
Interrogative:
Transition:
1. Faithful People are a Devoted People (vs. 42-43)
Lead in...What is the tension here?
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.
Explanation - Just a verse prior tells us that three thousand people were saved and baptised. These people went from death unto life. God graciously delivered them from eternal Hell, and gave them the promise of eternal life.
It was these people - newly minted church members - that were characterized as DEVOTED people.
The word DEVOTED is a word we don’t use very much these days. After all, we live in a throw away society. To be DEVOTED means that we “continue steadfastly,” “cleave faithfully,” or to “stay close to someone.” It means to be “steadfast and faithful in the outgoings of the Christian life...” The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament 4342. προσκαρτερέω proskarteréō
This is how Luke, the writer of this letter, described Christians - even new ones - They are a devoted people.
What are they devoted to? The Christian life. And Luke tells us what the Christian life - at least church life for the Christian - looks like. Isn’t this great! We are told right here in a single verse, how to do church. They DEVOTED themselves to...
The Apostles’ Teaching - or doctrine. This is why the “office of apostle” is no longer necessary. We have the teaching of the Apostles in our Bibles today! Their teaching is the New Testament. the teaching of the apostles The gathered community listened to and followed the preaching and teaching of the twelve apostles from—and based on—the Scriptures John D. Barry et al., Faithlife Study Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016), Ac 2:42.
The Fellowship - (Gk. koinōnia, “participation, sharing”) “close association involving mutual interests and sharing” - William Arndt et al., A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000), 552.
The Breaking of Bread - The Lord’s Table / Communion and fellowship meals. breaking of bread This could refer to participation in the Lord’s Supper, or to sharing in other meals together, as in Acts 2:46—the same language is used for each practice (e.g., Luke 22:19; Acts 20:7; 27:35; 1 Cor 10:16). It is highly likely that both are in view. John D. Barry et al., Faithlife Study Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016), Ac 2:42.
The Prayers - With the article “the” in front of the word prayers could indicate that there were formalized prayers the congregation would pray. Much like some churches pray “The Lord’s Prayer” in their corporate services. Regardless, the point is this, corporate prayer is a crucial, nonnegotiable for the health and vitality of a local church. “A church that prays together, stays together.
These for components of church life are so important. I want you notice something. Notice what is not there.
Lists of things we do that are not here...
Missions -
Music -
Sunday School -
Specialized Ministries -
Politics -
We have added a lot over the years. All for good reasons. Some of the activities are good and still helpful (e.g. Sunday School)
But 2020 has taught us something - busy isn’t necessarily Godly! And sometimes it is good to get back to the basics.
Vince Lambardi - “This is a football”
Luke - “These are the nonnegotiable parts of a church!”
Preach/Teach
Fellowship
Food
Prayer
What do you think the most important word is in verse 42?
DEVOTED! They were committed to these four things in the embryonic stage of church life.
As these faithful people GATHERED together, they were DEVOTED (or committed) to these four areas.
Illustration - I want you to picture stool in your mind. A stool with four legs. If you take one of the legs away, the stool becomes unstable. If you take two of the legs away, the stool will fall over.
Argumentation - Friends this is what will happen to any church that fails to have these four components at her core. She will fall over!
By the way, it’s not wrong for a church to have more going on than these four things, but if a church is not DEVOTED to these four - the church will soon no longer be what God intends her to be.
Application - The church is made up of faithful people. The church is made up with you. So, let me ask you, are you strengthening this church by being devoted in these four areas?
Are you DEVOTED to Gather for Preaching and Teaching? -
Are you DEVOTED to Gather for Fellowship? -
Are you DEVOTED to Gather for Food?
Are you DEVOTED to Gather for Prayer?
Review - When the Faithful Gather, God Does Something Great!
1. Faithful People are a Devoted People
2. Faithful People are a Together People (vs. 44-45)
Lead in...What is the tension here?
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.
Explanation - My kids, back in the day, were obsessed with a Disney movie called, “Highschool Musical” It was a cute movie that had an “ear-worm” soundtrack.
One of the songs that got stuck in my brain is called, “We’re All in This Together.”
Silly movie, great idea for the church - especially as the days grow darker and become more challenging. We are all in this together.
The first church felt this way for sure. They needed each other! Think about it. The church, mostly Jewish had, from the non christian jews perspective, turned their back on them and their ancient heritage. In addition to this, the Roman culture rejected them as well because they refused to worship Caesar.
So, they were a people without a people - other than each other!
They needed to depend on each other spiritually, emotionally, and even physically!
That’s why they did what they did in these verses -
They were TOGETHER! They gathered into a unit because they needed each other - and, do you see what they did for each other? Take another look!
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.
I can imagine there was financial challenges because of their new faith. Perhaps the new Christians needed to close their businesses or employees were let go because they now followed Jesus. I’m sure it was a tumultuous time for this embryonic church family!
So, what did they do? In a sense, they circled the wagons! They started living and caring for one another.
Look at what Luke has to say about this in 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. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. 36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
Friends, this is the truest and purist form of “Fellowship.” Their fellowship was more than getting together for pie and chit chat. They literally sold their stuff to make sure everyone in their church family was taken care of.
Illustration - I remember a very long time ago in the church were I got saved and baptized in, found out we were having a challenging time making ends meet. I’m still not sure how they knew? But they gave a check for $250. I’ll never forget that act of kindness from that little church! I never felt closed to a body than that moment.
Argumentation - Christians are a “Together” people! We are all in this together. We are to be close to one another so that we can love, care, and provide for one another.
Application - Honestly, since I really have taken a closer look at this passage, I am convicted.
Seriously, I haven’t sold anything to care for my fellow brothers and sisters. I’ve given to help people, but I haven’t sacrificed to that level! I think I’ve had the attitude, let the government take care of people in need. When, in fact, it is the church’s responsibility to care for her own and even those outside the body! Convicting!
And, by the way, how do you know someone has a need? By having a relationship with them! At least at some level! We’re all in this together and when we are together we begin to know the needs of those we are in this together with! And when we know, we should do!
14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
How about you? How “together” are you with your fellow church member? It is your responsibility to pursue them! Don’t sit back and wait!
Ways to be together - Phone a friend, write a note, have a meal, do a study with someone (micro-group or connection group or both).
Review - When the Faithful Gather, God Does Something Great!
1. Faithful People are a Devoted People
2. Faithful People are a Together People
3. Faithful People are a Growing People (vs. 46-47)
Lead in...What is the tension here?
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.
Explanation - I want you to see that this new found faith was not a casual faith! No! It radically changed their lives. Notice what verses 46-47 say?
“And day by day...” - their faith affected their everyday life! Their lives changed! They grew in their need for gathering for worship daily.
“…attending the temple TOGETHER...” - They continued at the temple - they didn’t reject their Jewish faith, they saw it as fulfilled in Christ. Their understanding grew! And they didn’t do it as individuals but with one another.
“…AND breaking bread in their homes...” - The first century version of Small groups. Do you see? They were together in the temple and they were together in their homes!
“…they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God...” - They were a thankful and joyful people. God provided for their daily needs and they gladly received His blessings. But they didn’t keep it for themselves, they were generous with God’s blessings. They shared with one another.
“…and having favor with ALL the people...” - Folks, they had favor with all the people mean grace and honor. This is the sense of the word “favor” (charis). They had a good reputation in the community around them regardless of how they were treated. The church today could learn a thing or two from the first church. We are to ALWAYS be an HONORABLE people!
11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.
15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
8 and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.
They grew in grace and in truth!
And notice one other area they grew as a result...
“And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”
Their new life was a compelling life. Their changed life helped change others. Their salt and light was distinct and drew people closer to Christ!
Their joyful togetherness was attractional. God used the four pillars to be a significant agent for growth. It is interesting that they didn’t have smoke machines and an amazing band.
Jesus had radically and forever changed the way they viewed and LIVED their lives. That change drew people to Jesus.
And as they grew in their faith, the numbers of people that came to Christ grew as well.
Illustration - There is something compelling about being with people who want to grow in their faith.
20 Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
When I became a follower of Jesus, I wanted to be around people (guys in particular) who loved Jesus and wanted to grow in their knowledge of Him. I craved it! It was like I was looking for a role model who loved Jesus so I could learn what it was like to love Jesus.
Argumentation - The christian life is a growing life. They grew in their need for worship (daily). They grew in the hospitality
Application -
Review - When the Faithful Gather, God Does Something Great!
1. Faithful People are a Devoted People
2. Faithful People are a Together People
3. Faithful People are a Growing People
Conclusion
Review opening illustration (if appropriate)
Review Main Idea
Give final application
Land the Plane.
Connection Group Reflection Questions
1. What do these verses teach me about our character?
2. What do these verses teach me about God and his character?
3. Because these words are from God, they are TRUTH! What truth is he asking me to believe?
4. What do I need to do to obey him?
5. With whom can I share these truths?