The Rhythms of the Church

Introduction

Context

Jesus had ascended to heaven and 40 days later the believers received the promise of the Father, the Holy Spirit.

This would empower them to “be witnesses” to Jesus.

Peter takes the lead and preaches Jesus to the assembled crowd.

Many respond and the church is born.

Acts 2:40–47 NKJV

And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

Once these New Covenant people, the church, were born, what manner of life were they to live?

Can we identify “rhythms” in the first church that we can learn from?

Transition: What’s next?

They Were Baptized

This was Jesus’s command.

Baptism was a sign of new life in Christ; it is a response of faith.

It as initiation into the newly form New Covenant community.

It was a renouncement to all former allegiances.

They Continued Steadfastly...

This means they persisted and continued with devotion.

This basically means that this became their lifestyle.

In the Apostles’ Doctrine

What was the apostles’ doctrine?

If we observe the sermons preached in the book of Acts we can get somewhat of an idea of what this was.

It was the story of Jesus.

His words, his ways, and his works.

It was how Jesus completed the story of Israel.

The church was immersed in the person of Jesus.

Jesus is the epicenter of the church.

Alan Hirsch has said the church the idea that the church is to be “gospel–centered” in inaccurate. The church is to be “Jesus–centered”.

In Fellowship

Fellowship: κοινωνία (koinōnia). n. fem. fellowship, communion, sharing, participation. A term that conveys a sense of commonality, solidarity, and shared responsibility among households or individuals.

This means they lived a shared life.

It included meals, communion, and prayer.

The Evidence of the Supernatural

Acts 2:43 NKJV

Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.

God’s supernatural Spirit was breaking into the natural world to to bring the conditions of the Kingdom of God.

This redemptive work began in Jesus and now continued in the church.

This extends God’s reign in the world.

Radical Generosity

Acts 2:44–45 NKJV

Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.

The church made sure everyone’s needs were met.

They shared all things.

Some sold their possessions and goods so the needs of others would be met.

Acts 4:32–35 NKJV

Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.

This helps us understand an important principle: God meets the needs of others through us!

The apostles speak to this:

1 John 3:16–17 NKJV

By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?

Generosity is an indication of the love of Christ in us.

James 2:14–17 NKJV

What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

Generosity is also an indication of our faith!

Final Thoughts

What should be the outcomes of living in these rhythms?

Christlikeness

These rhythms will produce Christlikeness in our lives.

Remember we are being conformed to the image of Christ.

These a reason we are to be like Christ!

Greater Fruitfulness

The Creation Mandate becomes the “New Creation Mandate”.

We are to join God in the “restoration of all things”.

The more we are like Christ, the greater fruitfulness will be produced in our lives.

This will extend God’s glory in the world!

And this is why we were created!

Our lives are to be lived for the glory of God.

In our goal to “make sense of the Bible”, we must never lose sight of what God has done in our lives through and Christ and what we are to being in response.