Living Missionally: Recognizing the Big Picture

Acts 2: 42-47

Acts 2:42–47 (NLT)

42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.

43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders.

44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had.

45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need.

46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—

47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

INTRODUCTION:

In the book of Acts we see a group of diverse people that were brought together by the Holy Spirit to form the first church. Acts 2:1-11 gives us a description of just how diverse the first church was.

Acts 2:1–11 (NLT)

1 On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place.

2 Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting.

3 Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them.

4 And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.

5 At that time there were devout Jews from every nation living in Jerusalem.

6 When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers.

7 They were completely amazed. “How can this be?” they exclaimed. “These people are all from Galilee,

8 and yet we hear them speaking in our own native languages!

9 Here we are—Parthians, Medes, Elamites, people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, the province of Asia,

10 Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, and the areas of Libya around Cyrene, visitors from Rome

11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism), Cretans, and Arabs. And we all hear these people speaking in our own languages about the wonderful things God has done!”

This diverse group of people, from different backgrounds and radically opposing viewpoints became a unified family of faith that impacted the world of their day for the good. In a matter of decades they had lead a movement that produced churches in all of the major cities and provinces of the Roman Empire and within a century and a half had churches in cities all over the known world.

What was it that enabled the early church to have the impact that she had? What was it that so radically transformed the individuals making up that first church and those making up the early churches?

As I read the Book of Acts, I find the answer is simple, but profound: They had a conversion experience that gave them a worldview that helped them see “The Big Picture.” It is the loss of this “big picture” that weakens the contemporary church. If you and I, as believers and members of this local church can regain this “big picture” perspective, allowing it to transform our worldview, new power will flow from the Holy Spirit and amazing things will begin to happen.

Notice two things from the scriptures that will help you and I live missionally:

I- RECOGNIZING THE BIG PICTURE IS VITAL.

A- The big picture comes from Jesus’s vision for His people.

1- Jesus’s desire is to build a kingdom.

(Acts 1:1-3)

Acts 1:1–3 (NLT)

1 In my first book I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach

2 until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit.

3 During the forty days after he suffered and died, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God.

2- Jesus worked through His people to begin accomplishing His “big picture” on the day of pentecost.

(Acts 2:6-11)

Acts 2:6–11 (NLT)

6 When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers.

7 They were completely amazed. “How can this be?” they exclaimed. “These people are all from Galilee,

8 and yet we hear them speaking in our own native languages!

9 Here we are—Parthians, Medes, Elamites, people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, the province of Asia,

10 Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, and the areas of Libya around Cyrene, visitors from Rome

11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism), Cretans, and Arabs. And we all hear these people speaking in our own languages about the wonderful things God has done!”

3- The early church continued to move to accomplish the “big picture.”

B- The big picture has not changed.

1- The Great Commission calls you and I to pursue Christ’s “Big Picture” goals.

(Matthew 28:18-20)

Matthew 28:18–20 (NLT)

18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.

19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

(Mark 16:15)

Mark 16:15 (NLT)

15 And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.

2- The “big picture” must bring you and I to the realization that the focus must move beyond ourselves and become part of something far larger than self!

a. We must avoid the Elijah, woe-is-me syndrome. When he fled from Ahab and Jezebel, he became focused on himself and his feelings. God had to remind him that there was a much bigger picture and more people were involved. There is never a time when we can afford to become self-focused…there is far too much at stake.

II- RECOGNIZING THE BIG PICTURE IS TRANSFORMATIONAL.

(Acts 2:42-47)

Acts 2:42–47 (NLT)

42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.

43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders.

44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had.

45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need.

46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—

47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

A- Recognizing the “big Picture” will transform our self-centered lifestyles. (Acts 2:42)

Acts 2:42 (NLT)

42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.

1- Leading us to become devoted to leaning and obeying God’s Word.

Through small groups

individual study

(2 Timothy 2:15)

2 Timothy 2:15 (NLT)

15 Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.

2- Leading us to involvement and promotion of relationships with fellow believers.

active participation

investment of time and spiritual gifts

3- Leading us to pursue an active prayer life and walk with Christ.

This was the practice of Peter, Paul, Etc.

B- Recognizing the “big picture” will transform our self-focused spirituality. (Acts 2:43, 46)

Acts 2:43 (NLT)

43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders.

Acts 2:46 (NLT)

46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—

1- Our spiritual outlook will become more Christ-focused instead of self-focused.

2- We will develop a sense of awe toward the Lord.

3- We develop a deep desire for worship and for meeting with Him in worship.

(Hebrews 10:25)

Hebrews 10:25 (NLT)

25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

C- Recognizing the “big picture” will transform our self-serving priorities. (Acts 2:44-45)

Acts 2:44–45 (NLT)

44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had.

45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need.

1- It will help us understand that the purpose of our lives and all in them is to serve Christ and one another.

2- All we are and have we are to hold in stewardship for Christ and for the good of His kingdom.

Parable of the servants (Luke 19)

D- Recognizing the “big picture” will transform our self-glorifying philosophy. (Acts 2:47)

Acts 2:47 (NLT)

47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

1- Our purpose for living is not to be self, but Christ.

(Colossians 3:4)

Colossians 3:4 (NLT)

4 And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.

2- The reason that Christ has us here is to bring other people into a relationship with Him and into His kingdom.

(Luke 19:10)

Luke 19:10 (NLT)

10 For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”

Key thought: “It is not about me… it is all about Jesus and His kingdom!”

CONCLUSION: