Form For Our Fellowship

Form For Our Fellowship

Acts 2:41-47

 

Illus. Form to Follow.

As we turn to Acts chapter 2 this morning, we are going to focus in on four factors that played into the good form seen in the earliest days of the early church. As we study these factors, we will see the importance of making sure these factors are a part of the form that defines our church today.

 

Read: Acts 2:41-47

 

From verse 41 we see immediately that the picture we are given in the following verses is the form of the church following a season of great growth, 3,000 had just responded to the Lord through Peter’s sermon in Acts chapter 2. From Acts chapter 1:15, we know there were about 120 in the church when Jesus ascended into heaven.  

Then, in Acts chapter 2, ten days later, we see the Holy Spirit poured out and then Peter stands up and preaches the Gospel. They ask Peter “what can we do?” and he tells them to turn to Jesus for the forgiveness of sins and on that very day, 3,000 people were added to the church. So now, they had roughly 3,120 followers of Jesus, so a large group compared to what they were. But compared to the amount of people they hoped to share the good news of Jesus with (the ends of the earth), this group was small. From historical records, there were about 300 million people living on earth at that time.

Jesus had told them to “go and make disciples” in Matthew 28. He had told them that when the Holy Spirit came upon them, they would be His witnesses to the ends of the earth. And we have been given the same charge, to go make disciples.

Last week we looked at our church and the city the Lord has planted us in. We looked at the growth of our church, spiritually, relationally, and physically.  Our belief that the Lord has called us to a time, place, and city such as this. But it can be easy to think, what are we amongst so many? There are 2.5 million people living in the Portland metro area, it may seem like an impossible challenge to win the city. But the call remains to go into all the world and make disciples.

That said, I want to provide again, as a reminder, the form for our fellowship. If a picture was painted or a story written of you and me, right here and now, Calvary Chapel Community Church, my hope and prayer is that these things would be seen throughout our ministry.

The form begins with verse 42 and is shown in a few ways: they were noted as those who were continually devoting themselves to the apostles teaching (God’s Word), to fellowship (they were together), to the breaking of bread (communion or table fellowship), and to prayer.  In verse 47 we see the product of it all, the church had favor with all people, and the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved!

From Acts 2:42-47 we get an acronym, a framework, form for our church so that we can make sure that individually and collectively, we are on the right track.  The acronym you have heard me refer to and I want to define for us today is D.E.E.P.! That we would be a D.E.E.P. fellowship.  

 

            D: Devoted to the Word.

            E: Engaged in Fellowship.

            E: Examples of Jesus in the world.

            P: Persistent in Prayer.

 

            Let’s continue with the first posture of the early church that we desire to factor into the form for our church…

 

1. Be Devoted to the Word

 

Acts 2:42, They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching…

 

• The word given there for “continually devoting” is a Greek word which means to adhere to, to do all the time, to persevere in and not faint, to be courageous in, to be constant in.

 

• In Matthew 28:18-20, after Jesus’ resurrection and before He ascended to heaven, Jesus not only told His disciples to “go and make disciples,” He spoke about what His disciples were to do, they were to teach people all that He commanded them, and this is exactly what the apostles are doing in the early church.

 

• The apostles are witnessing to the world, teaching all Jesus commanded.

 

• The people of the church were continually devoting themselves to the teachings of the apostles. Depending on what translation of the Bible you are reading, the word “teaching” you may see the word “doctrine” or “instruction” in place of teaching.

 

• Didaché is the Greek word. It simply means doctrine, teaching, or instruction– or perhaps even simpler, truth taught, truth conveyed, truth imparted. That’s the word “doctrine.” That’s what it means– truth or instruction that is given to others.

 

• It is instruction that applies to lifestyle application.

 

• It is evident already in the book of Acts from Peter’s sermon in chapter 2, that the apostles teaching was tied to the Word of God.

 

Illus. Examples.

 

• The teaching and doctrine of the apostles showed a clear devotion to the word of God and the words of Jesus.

 

2 Timothy 3:16, All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work.

 

• The content for our church, is the inspired word of God. The God breathed Scriptures.

 

• This is what we as a church are tied to. Our weekly corporate gathering, our youth group, community groups, classes, we are devoted to the word.

 

• This is “D” of our Deep Fellowship. We are devoted to the Word of God.

 

Joshua 1:8, This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will achieve success.

 

• Joshua is told to meditate on the word day and night, so that he would do according to it!

 

Psalm 119:105, Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.

 

John 8:31-32, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly My disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

 

1. Be Engaged in Fellowship

 

Acts 2:42, They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

 

• What a description, the church was devoted the apostles teaching, and to fellowship…

 

• The word here for fellowship is koinonia, a word that is translated as partnership, sharing, communion, contribution, and partnership.

 

• Fellowship is certainly being together, being social, but it is being social in fellowship together over spiritual matters. Put together, we understand that fellowship as mentioned in Scripture, is sharing the life of Jesus

 

• Fellowship is foundational to the picture and pursuit of the early church and the picture we desire to pursue. That we would be engaged in fellowship.

 

• Together, they listened to the Apostles’ teachings, together they broke bread, they prayed together…they lived life together.

 

Acts 2:44-45, And all the believers were together and had all things in common; and they would sell their property and possessions and share them with all, to the extent that anyone had need.

 

Acts 2:46, Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God…

• When they were breaking bread together, the were taking communion together, sharing Christ’s body and blood, in remembrance of Him.

 

• They gathered in the temple together, then from house to house together. They were in fellowship together.

 

• They would gather in the temple; others would see their community gathering together.

 

• And they would go from house to house. They had all things in common, they would sell their property and possessions to care for one another, providing for those in need. They sacrificed in their fellowship.

 

• They were continuing in these fellowship activities day to day. They were daily engaged in fellowship.

 

• They would go to each other’s house, take meals together, share in communion, with gladness, sincerity of heart, and they would praise God!

 

• They engaged in intentional, genuine, and deep fellowship. We desire to be a church that engages in deep fellowship.

 

Hebrews 10:24-25, Let us consider how to encourage one another in love and good deeds, not abandoning our own meeting together, as is the habit of some people, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

• Fellowship together is seen and suggested throughout the New Testament. It is expressed and prescribed through the many “one another” statements we see.

Romans 12:10, Be devoted to one another…

 

Romans 13:8, love one another…

 

Romans 14:19, We pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.

 

Galatians 5:13, … serve one another through love.

 

Ephesians 4:1-3, Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, being diligent to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

 

Illus. Tied together.

• Remember the word for “continually devoting,” to adhere to, to do all the time, to persevere in and not faint, to be courageous in, to be constant in.

Illus. In pursuit of the picture.

 

• Be Examples for Jesus in the World

 

Acts 2:46-47, 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.

 

• The church was growing in the Word, growing in fellowship, giving God the glory, and growing in favor with all people.

 

Luke 2:52, Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

 

• Jesus had great form, growing in wisdom and favor with God and man.

 

• Christ followers are called “Christians,” which means a follower of Christ. Some theologians have put it this way, by title we are “little Christs.”

 

• The church was continuing daily “with one accord” in following Jesus and His example.

 

• That the disciples were uniting and an example to their world was an answer to Jesus’ prayer in John 17. Throughout His prayer, Jesus expresses His desire for oneness. In verse 11, “so that they may be one”; in verse 21, “that they may all be one”; verse 22, so that they may be one”; verse 23, “that they may be perfected in unity.”

 

• Jesus prayed His desire, that His people would be one, united, and through that unity, the world would believe in Him.

 

John 13:34-35, I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all people will know that you are My disciples: if you have love for one another.

 

• The picture we get there indicates that people saw something in the early church. Their engagement, their togetherness, their fellowship centered on Christ led to favor with all the people.

 

• I have defined unity as distinction in the same direction. A unified people that know the goal line and head toward it.
• Living in this day and time in history, it is plain to see the disparities between the world’s value system and God’s.

 

• The greatest temptation would be to opt out of it all, but Jesus makes His desire clear for His people to remain in it, but not be of it.

 

John 17:15-16, I am not asking You to take them out of the world, but to keep them away from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.

 

• Jesus does not want us to be taken out of the world, but to be in the world, and to be examples for Him while doing so.

 

• Matthew 28:19 says we are to “go and make disciples of all nations,” Acts 1:8 tells us we are to be witnesses to the world.

 

Matthew 5:14-16, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Your light must shine before people in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

 

• Jesus calls us a city on a hill. That means that how we function and what we do is clearly seen. It can be seen from afar; the eyes of the world are upon us!

 

1 John 2:6, The one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.

 

• If we, together are a city that is set on a hill, it is important that we have an understanding concerning what those who look at that city are seeing.

 

• Here in Acts 2, the church had favor with all the people. They were doing what they needed to do to live according to the way Jesus had told them to walk.

 

Illus. Jesus at the table, Matthew 9:10-13.

 

Illus. You may be the only Jesus they see…

 

1. Be Persistent in Prayer and Praise

 

Acts 2:42, They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

• The early church is seen praying persistently.

 

Acts 1:14, All these were continually devoting themselves with one mind to prayer.

 

• Praying continually means very often, regularly, with frequent intervals.

 

• The early church was committed to prayer. Jesus had made promises surrounding prayer and the people were persistent in it.

 

John 14:13-14, Whatever you ask in My name, this I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.

 

Matthew 7:7-8, Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

• As Jesus gives the assurance that God welcomes our prayers, it is also important to recognize the way His invitation to “ask, seek, and knock” reads in the literal translation: “keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking.”

 

• He is calling us to continually ask, seek and knock. When you don’t know what to do, how to get there or which way to turn; keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking.

 

• Jesus is pointing us towards persistence in prayer and our opportunity to come before the Father and make our requests known.

 

• Prayer is how we communicate our needs and desires to God. Surely, He knows what we need even before we ask, but prayer is the way in which God has chosen to bring about answers and our opportunity to spend time in communion with God. 

 

• Not to simply let Him know what my requests are, but to understand His will. And for us, there is power when we pray corporately, and in unity.

 

Matthew 18:19-20, Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.

 

• Jesus says “if two of you agree on earth” the word “agree” in Greek is symphoneo, which means literally to “symphonize.” When we come together, like a symphony, He hears us. It is pleasing to Him.

 

• When we come to the Lord “in tune,” praying according to His will, He hears, He responds!

 

Romans 12:9-12, Love must be free of hypocrisy. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor, not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer…

 

• Let us be persistent in prayer…and praise.

 

• We talked about the things seen in the church from day to day in verse 46, and in verse 47, we see that daily, the church was praising God, having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.

 

• The word for praise here mean to lift up (extol), and to sing praises.

 

Illus. Examples.

 

Psalm 107:2, Let the redeemed of the Lord say so… (NKJV)

 

• The Lord was adding to their number daily. He was doing what only He could do. Their form, led to more coming and following Jesus personally!

 

• And it is these factors associated with their form that I pray will mark our fellowship continually:

 

To be:

D: Devoted to the Word.

E: Engaged in Fellowship.

E: Examples of Jesus in the world.

P: Persistent in Prayer.

Habakkuk 2:2, Then the Lord answered me and said, “Write down the vision and inscribe it clearly on tablets, so that one who reads it may run.

Illus. Tall task.

 

Acts 2:41-47