The Church We Desire to Be

The Church We Desire to Be

Acts 2:41-47

 

This morning we are going to turn to Acts 2:41-47. We are turning here specifically because it is a section of Scripture that gives us a glimpse, or window into the ways of the church in earliest days. It is also a section of Scripture where the Lord provided direction to our church and I want to make sure we revisit this section of Scripture with some regularity as it provides insights from the early church has been a guide that has helped define the characteristics of the church we desire to be.   

 

Illus. How does it look?

 

Considerations: The context and the church.

 

Read: Acts 2:41-47

 

In verse 42 and we are given some details that define the structure of the early church; they are depicted 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 developed an acronym, a framework, a structure 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 and Praise.

 

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, conveyed, or imparted to others. That’s the word, “doctrine.”

 

• It is instruction that applies to lifestyle application. Very early on in the book of Acts, doctrine was at the forefront.

 

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

 

• As a church, we are devoted to what has been given in God’s Word: The Old Testament, New Testament, which include the teachings of Jesus, the teachings of Jesus’ apostles…The full counsel of God’s Word!

 

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.

 

• Earlier in Acts chapter 2, just weeks after Jesus ascended into heaven, Peter preached to the people and points them directly to Scripture. 

 

Illus. Acts 2:1-36

 

John 14:15, If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.

 

• 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.

 

• God’s word is the content for our church, and it gives context (facts surrounding our situation) to our steps. It is the material we adhere to!

 

• Being a deep fellowship starts with us going deep in the Word!

 

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.”

 

Illus. Doctrines.

 

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. 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.

 

• And 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.

 

• The writer says, don’t forsake gathering together as is the habit of some. This means that some had a habit of forsaking the gathering together.

 

Illus. Why?

 

• Don’t leave gathering behind, but rather, find ways to encourage one another to love and good deeds as the day of Christ is 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(b)-3, …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.

 

• These “one another” statements are found nearly 60 times; it has been said that the primary activity of the New Testament church was one-anothering one another.

 

Illus. Tied together.

 

• The church was continually devoting themselves to fellowship. 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.

 

• To be devoted to fellowship requires perseverance, adherence to one another, and courage.

 

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.

 

• 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 together they were 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.

 

• 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.

 

Illus. You may be the only Jesus they see…

Romans 10:13-15

 

• Let’s seek to be examples of Jesus in this world collectively, and I encourage you to be an example of Jesus in your world personally. To be an example is to be one of a number of things, someone or something that shows the character or the whole.

 

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.

 

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!

 

• Be persistent in prayer…and praise.

 

Acts 2:47, …Praising God and 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 means to lift up (extol), and to sing praises.

 

• And it is praise that should also mark the form of our fellowship.

 

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 people coming to know and follow Jesus personally!

 

• It is these depictions that help bring definition to the church we desire to be and I pray these will be seen in and throughout our church body:

 

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. Form.

Acts 2:41-47