Acts 2:42-47 - 4 key elements of devotion

We have all heard the phrasing “we need to listen more than we speak”

This saying rings true for us today in the way that the Lord has given us the privilege and honor to have the scriptures at our disposal

We have the example of many Godly men and women to follow and the ability to follow that example by simply listening to the truth of the scripture

Listening can be described in the dictionary as this - “take notice of and act on what someone says”

So listening for the church to day means we are going to listen what the scripture has to tell us and we are going to act on it.

I want to hone in this morning on 4 key elements in which the early Christian church according to Luke were expected to focus their lives on as believers.

Acts 2:42–47 KJV 1900

And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

Now I want to begin by saying that when Luke wrote acts we can consider a sequel to his first writing which of course was the gospel of Luke

That isn’t to say that what we are going to get out of this scripture today or what Luke was trying say was an exact replica of the intent of Luke

Rather what Luke was trying to expound by writing this book was the expansion of The christian faith

It is called acts because Luke is literally trying to display the acts of the disciples and the growth of the church

Luke was writing this book to Theophilus to continue the story post jesus.

Now that we have set the ground work for acts we can talk about todays scripture

just prior to the beginning of our scripture Peter had just preached an amazing sermon most of us recognize as “the sermon at Pentecost”

It was at this sermon that thousands came to know the Lord through the word that had been spoken

The issue now at hand for the Christians, what was next?

Verse 42 opens today's scripture by saying “they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship.”

so first on our list of key elements in which the early church laid out as an example for us was, that is learning from the apostles who had been given the authority from Jesus to teach them.

Certainly you can learn from me or a wide variety of other Pastors and preachers who have been called and directed by the word

However, something we must remember is we are not the word.

The word was given to us directly by people who had authority from God the son to speak the word in a way that none of us can really do.

So for the believers who had been saved after Peters sermon the next step was to continue to learn from those great men of God.

For us as believers upon salvation we are certainly in need of learning from our pastors but the first place we should look is to the example of Jesus Christ and his disciples.

Any new believers first step would be to commit themselves to learning what is expected of them next.

2nd Luke says that they also continued in “fellowship and the breaking of bread”

So the next time someone makes fun of you as a baptist for eating you open up your trusty Bible and say “turn with me to Luke 2:42”

The truth here is that fellowship and enjoying the company of one another can be vitally important to the growth of a christian

To say that you begin to act like those you are around is an understatement

If you are around good you are generally compelled to good if you are around evil you may be more likely to be compelled to evil

If we want to take this scripture a step farther it isn’t unreasonable to assume that under this classification of fellowship and breaking bread also lies the Lords supper.

3rd and also in verse 42 Luke states that they committed themselves to prayer

I cannot stress this enough

for a christian prayer is the direct line in which we reach Christ

Now not just any pryaer either

God is deserving of your complete, undivided, committed prayers

finally verse 43 and 44

Acts 2:43–44 KJV 1900

And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common;

What was the result of living their lives in such a way

well these verses explain it enough tot say it was amazing and miraculous

Verse 45 says

Acts 2:45 KJV 1900

And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

Our 4th example is simple “not being dependent on the world”

These Christians divided all they had to the poor

Thought this was in partiality due to generosity this was not the main reaoson

They did hti because it was their way of displaying that they weren’t held back, or tied down by earth like things.

They were kingdom minded and kingdom focused

That is our expectations

to recap these 4 it is our expectation as individuals and the church to

1.follow the examples of the disciples and Christ himself

2..gather together for the breaking of bread and fellowship

3. pray

4. be kingdom minded

Luke concludes our reading with verse 46-47 saying

Acts 2:46–47 KJV 1900

And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

Because they lived lives within their church that was following the example and listening to the example set forth by Jesus Christ scripture teaches us that the Lord added unto them daily

That is the purpose and mission of us

As we get ready to go into this portion of our service being communion

I ask you to evaluate your life

If you for some reason aren’t saved and you aren’t part of Christs kingdom you can fix that today

Maybe you are a part of his kingdom but you consistently fail to look like it

Maybe you say I want to recommit my life to the Lord

Whatever it is take the opportunity this morning to make yourself right with the Lord

If you aren’t right with him, I beg of you do not partake in this communion.