"Life with Jesus is best done in Community"

Intro

Acts 2:42–44 ESV

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common.

First off, the book of acts is awesome. It’s the story of the early church. Right when Jesus went back to heaven after being raised to life, the early church formed and just went gangbusters over the whole region telling people about Jesus, and Jesus dod some crazy cool things.

This passage we just read takes place right after Peter, a disciple of Jesus preaches a big sermon telling people about Jesus and how they can come to know him.

Right after this sermon, you can see that the early church responds to this sermon by coming together and forming a community. This is an example that we, as point harbor students can live by.

Let’s go through this passage and see what we can imitate from the early church.

The passage says that they did 3 things specifically

They were devoted to learning

We should be devoted to LEARNING.

When the early church was formed the people of God went OUT OF THEIR WAY to learn as much as they could about Jesus, who he is and what he wanted for them. They were so excited that their life was made new that they couldn’t get enough information about God!

When I first met liz, we were in high school. I still remember what she was wearing. I was absolutely head over heals for her. I wanted to learn about her as much as I could. If I wasn’t talking to her, or about her, or learning about her I felt empty.

THThat’s how these people were with Jesus. When I first met liz, and Jesus for that matter. I wanted nothing to do with anything other than Jesus/Liz.

What Jesus did for you and me at the cross was remarkable. We went from having to follow a law, that didn’t redeem to being able to trust Jesus for forgiveness of sin.

The devotion was not due to obligation, but because of excitement. Let’s get excited about what Jesus is doing!

We get excited about, what we know about...

I don’t want to spend a ton of time here, but I do want to mention it. It can be difficult to feel excited about Jesus all the time. It’s a normal part of life. It’s not a good part of life but it is normal.

I think one of the things that inhibits us from getting excited about Jesus is the fact that we aren’t totally aware of who he is. One of the best ways to learn about who Jesus is, is to read about him.

If you’re in here today and you’re not sure if you know him, and you’d like to do some research, or you’d like to know where to start in the bible so that you can learn.

We have these books. The Life Book

Please take one. They are a great way to be introduced to Jesus.

The Disciples devoted themselves to Teaching as well as Fellowship...

They were devoted to fellowship

When the early church was formed, the members of the church spent literally all the time that they could with each other. They would have meals together, they would pray together and they would generally just hang out.

That’s why we have church services. That’s why we have impact nights, that’s why we do events. That’s why we do camp...

Thats why we are going to eat a massive thanksgiving dinner together.

God was doing big things through the church

They were a family

Hebrews 10:25 ESV

not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Go and be a family!