This past Sunday, we took a look at Luke's first summary passage in the story of Acts: chapter 2, verses 42-47. Here, Luke is presenting a billboard of what the Church looks like at its best. He is trying to convince Theophilus that Christianity is worth his attention.
The early Church captures what all of us are looking for, whether we know it or not. This is a close community that truly cares for one another, where everyone truly is seen as a brother and sister, and where no one person is considered more or less important as the other. Needs are being met. There is joy in their fellowship.
The early Church captures what all of us are looking for, whether we know it or not. This is a close community that truly cares for one another, where everyone truly is seen as a brother and sister, and where no one person is considered more or less important as the other. Needs are being met. There is joy in their fellowship.
Take a moment to think about a time in your life when you experienced the joy and blessing of a deep, loving community? Where was it, and what made this community so different? What role did you play in this community?
Luke tells us the disciples "devoted themselves" to four essential practices. The Greek word for "devoted" is one that is often used in the context of marriage and the vows couples make to one another.
Often times, our first experiences as Christians are full of "highs" - moments of extreme comfort or a deep awareness of God's love. Just like the story of Pentecost, our early walk with the Lord can feel very much like we are full of the Holy Spirit. But, the Christian life also requires commitment and perseverance. We want to hold to the rhythms and things that hold us close to God.
Luke names four such practices: studying and adhering to the Apostle's Teaching, the fellowship, breaking bread together, and the prayers.
The Apostle's teaching is Luke's term for the instructions of Jesus passed on to the new believers from Peter, John, James and the rest of Jesus' hand-selected disciples. It would have included Jesus' teachings (like the Sermon on the Mount), the good news of Jesus as Savior and Lord, the stories of Jesus' death and resurrection, and certain Old Testament passages that they saw as proof of Jesus' Lordship.
For us, continuing to adhere to the Apostle's teaching most often means studying our Bibles. How are you currently devoting yourself to studying God's Word? For some of you, this may mean reading a daily devotional. To really grow, though, we need to participate in weekly Bible studies. This Wednesday at 6 pm in our church we start a new Bible study here at the Church on the Letters of Paul, and this is a great chance to hold to the Apostle's teaching.
The fellowship is Luke's expression for describing community life. The Greek word here is koinoinia. It means a sharing in life that includes both give and take. It means seeing ourselves as part of a spiritual family where we lean upon one another in times of need and provide for one another when we can.
Devoting ourselves to the fellowship means being committed to meeting together at least once a week. Weekly worship and being together on Sunday is a critical first step. But, it also means finding other ways to build deeper relationships with our church family outside of Sunday morning. The community that has formed through Paul and Kara Jedele hosting families at their house is an excellent example. The community that has formed in and through our choir is another excellent example. So is the SAWs ministry.
What are you doing right now to devote yourself to community? Do you belong to a group where you are weekly sharing life at a deeper level, including your joys and struggles?
Some people believe these next two on the list are simply ellaborating Luke's point about committing to be a part of community. Sharing meals and joining together with other Christians for prayer is simply what deeper community looks like.
The breaking of bread is often seen as partaking in the Lord's Supper, but Luke probably meant something more general. The early Christians got together in each other's homes for shared meals. They took time to hear what was really going on in each other's lives.
Application: eating meals together has become a lost art in our culture. One way we can overcome this is to make a commitment to sharing at least one or two special meals with loved ones, family members or friends each week. Do you have a standing commitment to "break bread together" with anyone in your life? Take the initiative and make a meal happen this week.
The prayers is probably the one we have the hardest time understanding. In Jesus' day, the Jewish people would regularly take time in their day to pause for prayer. If they were in or around Jerusalem, often times they would go to the Temple around the noon time hour to join others for prayer, similar to what we see those of the Muslim faith still doing today or like faithful Jews do as well.
Devoting ourselves to the prayers means taking intentional time out of our day to refocus our minds and hearts on the Lord. Traditionally, this has meant reading a psalm or two, as well as reading a small passage of Scripture from both the Old and New Testaments. For some of us, this more formal type of prayer can seem a bit strange, but there are opportunities for you to enter into this practice.
Action: Midday prayer is now being offered every day at noon at Gobin Methodist Church at noon. A small group of us will be gathering for prayer in the sanctuary just to reset and refocus ourselves upon the Lord each day. Try joining us for this practice as a way to remain devoted to the prayers.
Devoting ourselves to the prayers doesn't have to be so formal, though. We can begin to pray for one another at the start of our committee meetings. We can also take time at the beginning or end of our day to read a devotion or a Bible passage as well as take time to pray to the Lord.
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Overall, these four rhythms are good indications of our overall spiritual health. When you look at your own life, how many of these practices are you currently adhering to?
This week presents you with two great opportunities to take steps in a positive direction. You can join us on Wednesday at 6 pm as we begin a new Bible study on Paul's letters. And you can join others at Gobin throughout the week at noon to make prayer more of a regular practice in your life.
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