42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (
This is the first instance in which the Bible talks about new believers after Jesus ascended into heaven. With a world to witness to and good news to share they found strength and power in God’s Word and the community of believers. Did you catch the difference it made for them?
42They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.
Support and Belief is fostered in the community those early Christians enjoyed. The apostles were doing miracles and verified the message of the New Testament believers. Jesus is real and is their Savior and even though they faced a huge, unbelieving world they could rely on God’s love received through each other. They lived in a community where they were known and loved and celebrated and transformed. On those days when they most wanted to give up, they could lean on their God and their group the most.
44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. In a Community group they Shared Purpose. It is not that they suddenly were cookie cutter personalities but in their close knit community they connected because they shared the same focus and purpose. They together believed they were the flesh and bones church that followed the direction of its head, Jesus.
45Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. The sky was the limit to the love they were willing to share with each other. In Community that is focused on God’s glory and his kingdom you can do amazing things beyond what you may have thought possible because you have others to Push your Limits. They can give you encouragement and support so that we are not content with mediocrity.
46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. This was not a once a week social club, this was a lifestyle. This church did not only meet at the building of worship, they met in their homes. They lived life together. It was not drudgery but Genuine Joy as they continued to connect because they knew what they were doing had significance to their primary audience, God.
And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Take a moment to ponder what it would be like for our church to live this list out regularly. People were being saved daily – just by observing and finding about who these groups held so dear! There was no magic formula and no persuasive gimmicks; they simply loved God and loved others. By God’s blessing it was contagious.
I think often times people get frustrated with the church organizations they grew up with because they've lost sight of who that church is created by and for. Jesus loves his church and knows they gain strength and encouragement from gathering together regularly (not just Sundays) to listen to his Spirit talk to them through his Word. Invest your time and energy into getting to know some other Christians on Sundays and throughout the week. It's amazing the difference it makes in your faith walk.
Is this something you've noticed? Is this something you've wrestled with?
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