A Typical Church

Introduction

Good morning Church,

before we get started lets go to the Lord in prayer.

This morning I would like us to consider a topic that I believe is absolutely fundamental to the health and vitality of Christs church in the 21st century. Today there is so much argument around what church “is”.

What the church does on a Sunday morning, what kind of music is played during the service, How entertaining the service should and could be, all these things down to the carpet on the floor or the pew you sit on has become reason for disunity in the church.

This confuses the purpose of the church and many fall into pragmatism- the idea that whatever gets people in the front door is good, a church experience that is based on MY feelings. This makes ME or You the primary focus of the Sunday Service not God.

Or if the church doesn't fall for pragmatism they may fall into post-modernism. This is where, as is manifests itself in the church, is a kind of “what does this passage mean to you” spirituality. Where the authority of the Author or the authority of the overarching storyline is thrown out and replaced with whatever you want. After time, Postmodern thought deconstructs the church to be a simple group of “Seekers” “exploring the spiritual world around them content with the idea they can ultimately “know nothing”. Dr. Al Mohler the president of Southern Seminary writes about postmodernism, “Modern culture is revolt against the truth, and postmodernism is but the latest form of this revolt.” We truly are living in a strange time.

Before moving forward I would like to affirm that I believe the Bible is the inspired, inerrant, and infallible word of God and is sufficient to meet every need of the human soul. This morning, we get to stand firm on the word of God and see how truth doesn't come with an expiration date. The truth we are going to be focusing on this morning is the Church, its you and its me and its why we are here this morning. I want us to ask the question “what is the church” as we turn to scripture for the answer.

In the book of Acts we find the genesis of the church. In Acts chapter 1, the apostles are with the risen Christ for 40 days in which Christ speaks about the Kingdom of God. After which we read about the ascension of Christ and the apostles select Matthias to replace Judas the betrayer of Christ. In Acts chapter 2 we read about the coming of the Holy Spirit and we read Peter’s first sermon to the Jews in Jerusalem. We read that those who heard Peter describe the definite plan of God revealed in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ at the hands of those present at the time. Realizing their guilt in killing the promised Messiah, they were cut to the heart and cried out “what can we do!” Peter replied Repent and be baptized everyone of you and you will receive the forgiveness of Sin.

3000 souls were saved on that day.

What was just summarized was a dynamic precedent revealing the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to save sinners, and the formation of a covenantal union of those believers into the body of Christ known as the church. In our passage this morning we will see the characteristics of Christ Church. what we will see is that:

A typical church is a unified body of believers brought into relationship with God, Each Other, and the World

A typical church is a unified body of believers brought into relationship with God, Each Other, and the World

This morning we are going to look at 4 characteristics of this typical church:

The church is devoted to God and each other

The church is dedicated to one another

The church is distinct in its joy

The church delights In God

Lets turn to Gods word,

READ THE PASSAGE

Devotion

Our first characteristic of the typical church is devotion to God and one another. this devotion is seen in 4 specific practices: Teaching, Fellowship, Breaking of Bread, and Prayers

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

The teaching

The apostles teaching is more than likely similar to what Peter had just preached, the gospel and its fulfillment of the old testament prophecies. These new believers where familiar with the Jewish Scriptures. But they did not yet what Christ had revealed to His apostles. Therefore the teaching we read about here is an affirmation of the Old Testament Prophecies and the culmination of those prophesies in Christ.

The Fellowship

This is the Greek term koinōnia meaning the act of sharing in the activities or privileges of an intimate association or group; especially used of marriage and churches.This fellowship was sharing in the experience of Life together. Spending time with one another regardless of class or status. In Christ these distinctions became all but meaningless when followers of Christ gathered.

Breaking of Bread

I see this as taking the Lords supper. There is another illusion to breaking bread in V44 that I believe is more casual, but in this context, we can see that the application of Jesus Command, “Do this in remembrance of Me”. This would be an opportunity, a public affirmation of belonging to those who are saved by Christ, But the act of taking communion doesn't save you of course.

and The Prayers

Praying for one another and worshiping God through prayer was commonplace amongst these new believers. Dr. Edmond Clowney states it this way, “They devoted themselves to prayer because they had devoted themselves to the Lord Jesus. They wanted to reflect Him, and they desired to serve Him. His resurrection and ascension lifted their praise to the Father’s throne.”

When you have learned something new, normally something you are passionate about, you experience a season of devotion to that subject. Think about if you have played a sport or began a hobby like fishing. You begin not knowing a lot if anything and you need to start with understanding the purpose and the rules of the sport. Or the nomenclature of a fishing rod and the various forms of tackle you can use. You normally seek out someone who is willing to teach you something about it. Someone who knows more than you, who has spent time developing their skill through discipline. Next you would spend time practicing the fundamentals, without having these fundamentals down and I mean perfect, your efforts in actually doing the thing will be fruitless.

What I just described above should seem obvious and logical to all of us. And yet how many of us will attend church week after week without devoting ourselves to understanding the word of God, seeking out a believer who is has walked more with Christ than we have and get to know their life, partake in communion to remember the redeeming work of Christ, and spend time in prayer. How many of us will spend hours a day on social media, surfing the internet, in front of youtube, or some other form of entertainment and do so without batting an eye, and yet not spend a few minutes in prayer.

So as we can see in verse 42, there is so much action packed into these four practices. As we will see this is the norm for the church in Acts, and it should be the norm in our church! We can also infer two functions taking place between the followers of christ and the converted Jews. new believers-dedicated to learning, and the seasoned believer is dedicated to discipleship. There is so much here to discuss that is worth studying but I will encourage you all to study it out yourselves in unity with other believers.

Characteristic 1: The typical church is devoted to God and each other!

Dedication

Characteristic number 2: The typical church is dedicated to one another

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.

Awe is the proper response from a church that understands the gospel of Jesus Christ. Not only did these believers experience the miracle of the new birth, but they also were observing the apostles do many signs and wonders! In just 6 chapters, from chapters 3-9 we read about:

Peter healing a lame man 3:1-11,

Ananias and Sapphira struck dead (5:1-10),

Eneas healed of Palsey (9:33)

Peter raises Tabitha or Dorcus to new life. (Acts 9:36-41)

Healing, divine judgement, physically dead people being raised to life. This was incredible! the frequency of these miracles being performed was overwhelming.

We read that people just wanted to place their sick friends and family in the street that just by falling under Peter’s shadow their loved ones would be healed.

What God was doing through these miracles was truly amazing and unique, and yet let us not forgot the most incredible miracle of all. God, through His mercy and grace, was saving lost corrupt souls daily. Yes it is an incredible miracle to be healed of a disease, and of course to be brought back to life. But how much more incredible to be spiritually dead, Ephesians 2, an enemy of God rightfully deserving judgement, and yet God intervenes to save you, clothe you in His righteousness, and add you to His covenant people. I would argue as many wise preachers and theologians before me have argued that this, salvation, is the most incredible miracle and one that we experience today! amen.

Alright, so we know that these new believers were in awe of God, and the saw the miracles being performed by the apostles.

Verse 44: 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.

First This was not an early form of communism: two simple reasons, they were not compelled to give of their goods they did so freely, and in verse 46 we read that they broke bread in their homes, demonstrating specific ownership of individual homes. So no this isn’t communism. For further study on the topic I would point you to 2 Thessalonians 3:10. So then what was happening in this passage.

All who believed (both new and seasoned) had all things in common, there was no hierarchy. The cared more for each other needs than their own comfort. These believers embodied the “One Another” passages:

Love one another (John 13:34 - This command occurs at least 16 times)

Be devoted to one another (Romans 12:10)

Honor one another above yourselves (Romans 12:10)

Build up one another (Romans 14:19; 1 Thessalonians 5:11)

Accept one another (Romans 15:7)

Admonish one another (Romans 15:14; Colossians 3:16)

Serve one another (Galatians 5:13)

Bear one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2)

Forgive one another (Ephesians 4:2, 32; Colossians 3:13)

Be patient with one another (Ephesians 4:2; Colossians 3:13)

Speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15, 25)

Consider others better than yourselves (Philippians 2:3)

Bear with one another (Colossians 3:13)

Teach one another (Colossians 3:16)

Comfort one another (1 Thessalonians 4:18)

Encourage one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

Exhort one another (Hebrews 3:13)

Stir up [provoke, stimulate] one another to love and good works (Hebrews 10:24)

Show hospitality to one another (1 Peter 4:9)

Employ the gifts that God has given us for the benefit of one another (1 Peter 4:10)

Pray for one another (James 5:16)

Confess your faults to one another (James 5:16)

These are wonderful realities of the church that we get the privilege of caring for one another in this way. Our church has had the pleasure experiencing in an incredible way recently. On May 29th, our brother and missionary to the Ashaninka people in the jungles of Peru, published a video that showed him and the congregation he is leading in the jungle reading and singing Psalms from bibles printed in their unique language. Our church participated in funding that! Our brothers and sisters in Peru had a need, they needed the word of God,and you all gave to provide for that need out of YOUR resources. If you haven't seen the video please check it out its posted on our Facebook page on May 29th. But that is what we are seeing here. Its not communism, that's an insult to the beauty of what is really taking place here. Gods people are providing for one another needs. They weren't showing up and expecting worship to entertain and a sermon that makes em feel good. See it wasn't about themselves, it was about everyone else and giving glory, honor, and praise to God. That was what they were about that is what motivated them. It wasn’t anything else.

Alright Characteristic number 2: The church is committed to one another

Distinction

Characteristic 3: The typical church is distinguished by unique fellowship and gladness

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

The phrase day to day is a distinction that cannot be overlooked. This church was not only about meeting once a week, and maybe again one other time throughout the week if they could make it. DAY BY DAY they were together, attending the temple, breaking bread in their homes.

This is the definition of the phrase life on life. They spent time together, they loved each other, they broke bread together.

This breaking of bread was regular meals, but we see back in verse 42 they also broke bread in keeping with the Lords supper. This is typical behavior for the church seen in various places throughout Acts and the New Testament,

Romans 12:5-So we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Ephesians 2:19- So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 1 Corinthians 1:10- I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.

2 Corinthians 13:11- Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you

Now the tradition of meeting at the temple wasn't initiated during this time. According to the tradition of the Jews, they met at the temple regularly to offer worship to God and receive instruction in the scriptures. These Jewish believers however understood Christ as being the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies. As we look at the rest of the book of Acts, we see that this caused tension with the Old Covenant Jews who eventually as church history records for us were excommunicated from their synagogues.

These believers Recognized and Rejoiced in temporal blessings given to them by God, knowing that it is simply an addition to the the spiritual blessings that God has given to His people.

Characteristic 3: The typical church is distinguished by unique fellowship and gladness

Delight

Characteristic 4: The Church Delights In God

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[1]

There is flow in this passage that we should see replicated in our own lives. Christs work for us, a radical change in us where we love christ and the church, and that returns to him in joy. This joy was so different, was so apparent that the rest of the community recognized it and showed the church favor. Why do you think Christians, just being Christians in a culture, would garner favor? Its not anything the church was doing borrowing from the culture or in order to curry favor with the culture. It was a supernatural

The church worships with joy.

The Lord builds His Church.

Characteristic 4: The Church Delights In God

Application:

Acts (9. The Common Life of the Community (2:42–47))

Luke’s summaries present an ideal for the Christian community which it must always strive for, constantly return to, and discover anew if it is to have that unity of spirit and purpose essential for an effective witness

As members of a local church, as members of Calvary Baptist Church, we are brought together to function in this way. To be devoted to the teaching of Gods word, and thank God for Pastor Mike whose primary desire is not for you you and I to be entertained but to encounter a just and Holy God. to worship, and worship that isn’t comprised of fun songs to bob our heads to but have no real meaning, but songs that bring our minds and our hearts before the Creator of the universe. For fellowship with the saints who are made our brothers and sisters in Christ for His glory. And to pray. To pray. We pray, we communicate with the all knowing God. Who gave us the ability and the means to communicate with Him. Think about it. In Christ we find Joy, this world, all of its entertainment, all of its destruction, all of its pleasure , begins to become strangely dim when we are absolutely devoted to God. This is a typical church.

You and I are blessed to be part of such an amazing institution.

For those who come to Christ today We celebrate and worship God for this grace! I now charge you to devote yourself to the word of God, to the fellowship of the saints, and prayer.

For those who have been Christians for some time, celebrate with our new brothers and sisters in Christ! Then be devoted to discipling them, fellowship with them, and pray with and for them.

[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ac 2:42–47.