How the Church Works

Acts 2:42-47

I have always found this passage intimidating.  My Christian life doesn't look like this. I don't share everything in common with other believers. And I don't see people coming to Christ in huge numbers.....daily.

I tell myself that, well, it's okay, because that was the experience of the early Church. We can't expect things to be like that in 2020.

Perhaps not. Yes, Acts is a history book - the writer, St. Luke, is telling us what happened in those early days. It's not necessarily prescriptive. But there are definitely things we can learn from these brand new believers.

Fellowship was critical to their growth as a brand new church. They broke bread together DAILY.  They worshiped together DAILY. They saw amazing miracles DAILY. They shared ALL of their possessions.

Is worship an important part of your week? What about fellowship with other believers? Are you experiencing what it is like to share prayer requests, to pray for others, to read God's word together?  I would encourage you that if you are not, that you not delay - go to ualc.org/smallgroups and check out the small group information.  Once you experience small groups, you will never go back.

And take heart that when the first Christians broke bread together, they did so with "glad and sincere hearts" (v. 46). This is not a burdensome task. God will bless you when you make worship, fellowship, and prayer a priority.

Thank you, Lord, for the church, imperfect as it is - that's because it's filled with sinners just like me. Thank you that you long to bless me, and that as I experience your grace and truth, I will be a blessing to others.

ACT.2.42-47 NIV

Fellowship of Believers

Acts 2:42-47 (NIV) They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

This had to have been a great time in history. While deep in mourning, the followers of Jesus were given the gift of The Holy Spirit. They began to move forward, surfacing out of the depths of despair over the great loss suffered and started sharing their gift with all who would listen.

I wonder if these actions helped them find peace. Their new existence, new purpose following the death and Resurrection of Jesus provided a reason to get up in the morning - they had a job to do - just and we do.  "Go therefore and make disciples."

Back up just a bit and read from verse 40, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." These words are pertinent to today's time in history, for we are truly a 'corrupt generation.' How did we get here? What changed to bring us to this point in time, to this place of evil and self-satisfying behaviors? Or better question to ask is how do we return to a kinder gentler era?

It will only happen when we are open to a change of heart. It all begins when we open our hearts to the Spirit and reach out to others in love and kindness - when we practice Discipleship once again.

In Genesis 4:9 God asks Cain where his brother is and Cain responds with the famous line, "Am I my brother’s keeper?"  Today in the second chapter of Acts we learn that Jesus expects us to be just that, our brother’s keeper.'  

As members of a Body of Believers who believe that we are each other's keepers, this body will have an impact on society.  That caring fellowship will be a witnessing fellowship.  Where do I sign up?

 Acts 2:42-47

Philippians 1:1-11

I once listened to a Philippians teaching shared by Jill Briscoe.  She referred to Paul's letter to the Philippians as 'jail mail' written by a free man in chains. Paul's letter to the faithful of Philippi is a letter to people he truly loved, people who partnered with him to spread the love of Jesus.

When I am in the company of other believers, I feel energized.  When I am working alongside fellow followers, I have the sense of joy and peace that is so different from other situations.  There is a writer's conference I attend with about 600 Christian women.  We are gathered in the same room, praising and praying, and there is no feeling quite like it. Having experienced that, I understand Paul's words below.

"It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me." Philippians 1:7

Philippi was a Roman colony and the Romans had a strong opposition to the Gospel. Paul spent many days in Roman prisons, and he spread the Word of God even in lock up. During his times of confinement he knew the members of his church were praying for him and that gave him courage and strength to continue his ministry. The prayers of our Friends in the Fellowship of Believers, lifted for us whenever we are chained to trouble, are mighty.

The prayers on our behalf by Friends in the Fellowship of Believers provide strength to go on. Petitions lifted up for us when life's challenges have us in the valley, are a thing of beauty. The words of Paul are echoed, “I thank my God every time I remember you.” (Philippians 1:3)

Read Philippians 1:1-11 here

Listen to Philippians 1:1-11 here

Revelation 19:6-10

There was a time I did not like going to church.  I was young for one thing, didn't understand what church was all about and thought there were better things to do on a Sunday morning.  All that has changed and for a number of reasons.  You are among those reasons, for I look forward to seeing friends, talking with you and ultimately worshiping with you. When standing next to you while praising God, I feel like I am in close communion with Jesus.  Scripture says, "Where two or three come together..."

When I go to church now, having lived more of life and having studied God's Word and applied it to my life and situation and circumstances, I am learning to understand the concept of Worship.  Worship fills my heart with peace and joy and love.  Sometimes my heart gets so full that it overflows and I find tears streaming down my face.  Have you ever experienced this?  This is one of the things I see in my mind's eye when reading this section of Revelation; the multitude praising God.

Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:

“Hallelujah!
For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
7 Let us rejoice and be glad
and give him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come,
and his bride has made herself ready. (Revelation 19:6-7)

There are many reasons why I love to go to church.  To be in the company of the Fellowship of Believers, singing God's praise together is sweet.  Raising holy hands to God in unison is a vision I believe we will see in Heaven and one that we practice here on earth.

Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.” (Revelation 19:9)
Read the Revelation 19:6-10 text here.  Listen to an audio reading here.