“Devoted to the Fellowship!”

Acts 2:42 CSB

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.

INTRODUCTION:

Today is our Community Group Sign Up Sunday!

I would like to devote this morning’s message to the importance of community—more specifically (or biblically), to what it means to be “devoted to the fellowship” of the church.

Acts 2:42 CSB

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.

From his book, Biblical Foundations for Small Group Ministry, Gareth Icenogle writes:

The biblical history of the people of God is as a covenant community. Covenant is the intentionality and responsibility of being together in relationship. We know from Scripture that the movement of covenant is out of the very nature of God. God refuses to let go of the ones who continue to run away from God and from one another. God calls us back into face-to-face relationship and into face-to-face gatherings. The very freedom for us to come together is based upon God’s covenant with us. This real covenant community most often takes the form of a small group gathering. Humanity accomplishes much of its life in small group gatherings. The people of God have affected human history through small group gatherings and networks of many small groups together.

This morning we are going to look at why we do community groups, what is involved, and what we might expect from this ministry.

I. Why a Community Group Ministry?

A. Because it is the Biblical model

The Example of Jesus – (Mark 3:13-15)

Icenogle – “Jesus changed human history through the process of forming an intentional small group of twelve persons. The various small groups around Jesus—consisting of women, men, young, old, Jew and Gentile—give a clear signal as to how God desires humanity to move into our salvation future. The human future like the human past is worked out through various sized gatherings of groups, but mostly through small groups (large groups generally are gatherings of many small groups).”

The Example of the Early Church – (Acts 2:41-47)

During New Testament times, the people of God continued to meet together in small home groups called ecclesia (gatherings or churches). These small groups define the nature and purpose of the larger church, that is, multiple gatherings of small groups of people around the person of Jesus Christ, in the presence of the Spirit, in humble openness and vulnerability to God as loving Father-Parent. The coming together of individuals from diverse racial, cultural, sexual, and familial histories is the call of God to be the church, the ecclesia. The small group is the primary arena and vehicle for Christian ministry in a hostile world. The hunger for reconciliation of persons with God and with one another moves the Christian small group to become a space for welcoming, worship, confession, forgiveness, service, and hope.

B. Because it WORKS!

II. What is Involved in a Community Group Ministry?

What are the Biblical elements of a small group meeting? – (Acts 2:42)

A. A commitment to Jesus Christ – (v.41)

(2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1)

B. A commitment to Teaching/discipleship – (v.42a) – “…the apostles’ teaching”

(1 Peter 2:2) (1 Timothy 4:6, 11-13) (2 Timothy 3:14-4:3)

C. A commitment to the Fellowship (κοινωνία) – (v.42b) – “…[the] fellowship”

Koinonia – “common” or “partnership”

· They shared a common experience (accepting Jesus as Messiah)

· They shared with one another their material goods, their homes, etc.

“Fellowship,” Anne Ortlund writes, “is a choice! Every congregation has a choice to be one of two things: You can choose to be a bag of marbles; single units that don’t affect each other except in collision. On Sunday morning you can choose to go to church or to sleep in; who really cares if there is 192 or 193 marbles in a bag?

Or you can choose to be a bag of grapes. The juices begin to mingle, and there is no way to extricated yourself if you tried. Each is a part of all!”

D. A commitment to Communion/Food – (v.42c) – “…the breaking of bread”

The lack of specifics gives us freedom concerning the when, where, and how often.

E. A commitment to Prayer– (v.42d) – “…to [the] prayers (plural).”

John 14:13–14 CSB

Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.

Ephesians 6:18 CSB

Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.

Colossians 4:2 CSB

Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving.

III. What are the Results of a Community Group Ministry?

A. Life-changing Community – (vv.44-46)

“…with joyful and sincere hearts” (“simplicity”) a word which lit. meant, ‘free from rocks’

It was smooth, free from contention—no emotional rough edges!

B. God-honoring Praise – (v.47a) – “…praising God and having favor with all the people”

“The people” in this passage is not a reference to the congregation, but rather the community around them! Their neighbors witnessed the loving, unselfish care believers gave to one another, and they gave the thumbs-up!

John 13:35 CSB

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

C. Real Evangelism – (v.47b)

Matthew 16:18 CSB

And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.