Gather for Rhythm

Covid, post-covid habits.

Habits can be good or bad.

They are one way of increasing our brain’s efficiency. Makes our everyday actions and behaviors automatic so we can focus on more important challenges.

If we had to consider and ponder every single task or action we be exhausted!

Habits are powerful.

21 days to make a habit. but nearly 3x as long for it to completely take root, to be integrated into our lives.

Habits Follow Cravings As They Seek Rewards

Ex. Someone wants to stop smoking. But if we don’t address the craving that seeks the reward it is very difficult to kick the habit.

Same with trying to develop healthy habits. We address the underlying craving and rewards that contribute to them.

Spiritual habits are the same way.

When we crave healthy meaningful relationships with God and others, when we desire a consistent and powerful prayer life, when we deeply want to know the Word, we can develop and improve upon our spiritual habits.

Part of being better together is to be in a healthy rhythm of gathering so that we can develop the habits of the faith that we know we should have.

Devotion

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.

The early church knew something about gathering together that Christians have modeled for centuries to follow.

While methods have changed and adapted to the times and cultures over two millennia, the principle, core, practices have remained the same:

Teaching - this is sharing/knowing the Word

Fellowship - this is being community

Communion - this worship/testimony

Prayer - this is our relationship with God

The early church was devoted to these practices.

Devotion means to persevere in an activity. To be persistent. It’s a continuous action directed towards a specific object or outcome.

The church had an unwavering commitment (habit) to gather for these activities.

We all have something or someone we are devoted to. That activity or ideal has become such an ingrained habit it’s just who we are.

Since good habits develop good rewards, it’s important for us to understand just what Luke was telling us in Acts 2.

Basically, what’s the “pay off” for developing these spiritual habits together?

A Sense of Awe

We’ve got something really cool going on!

Acts 2:43 NLT

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

There’s a certain intangible “feeling” that comes from being together. We are better together.

We all crave being a part of something bigger than just ourselves. To be affiliated with a powerful enterprise.

Can you think of any group, organization, mission, bigger that Jesus’ Kingdom?

The early church was committed to meeting together and recognized that their fellowship was unique and powerful.

Luke explains what caused them to be in such awe. It was their commitment to consistent spiritual practices. In other words, their spiritual habits.

Results

Good Things Are Happening!

Acts 2:43 NLT

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

It’s easy to compartmentalize this to just the actions of the apostles. But “signs” here, means “Marvel.”

Marvelous things - things to marvel, wonder at, be excited or gladden by.

People saw activities, outcomes that they marveled at. They attributed the source to God’s Spirit.

We are in the habit of gathering to see God’s marvelous work in the church and, through us, in the world.

When this is happening, naturally people want to get involved.

Sharing and Generosity

I Want To Help!

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.

When we’re together, we’re better at helping.

“together” = koinonia.

“sharing” = simplicity of heart, intent.

this is the habit of generosity.

This is not complicated but it does need to be practiced regularly.

Worship

God Is At Work!

Acts 2:46–47 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—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.

The church was together to worship.

Their worship was to proclaim all the good things God was doing.

Goodwill - “Look at what they’re doing!”

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.

Which brings us to the ultimate result of being together:

Growth.

Added To The Church

I Want In!

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.

engaging in these practices (habits) makes us better together. That’s certain

The greatest blessing is seeing others decide they want in.