6/11/23 The Early Church - Part 4

The Early Church – Part 4

Acts 2:42-47

Many of us here this morning have an appreciation for music. Some of you are musicians – you have developed the skill of playing an instrument. Perhaps some of you understand how to read the language of music as you sing harmony parts to the melodies of hymns and praise songs…I’ve heard you! You’d be surprised what can be heard up here – both good and bad 😊  Just kidding…it’s all beautiful when a song of praise is sung from the heart!

In terms of structure, many songs (Church songs as well as secular songs) have much in common.

Most songs (Like the praise choruses and hymn we just sang) will have a structure that consists of numerous verses and a single chorus.

The verses will generally follow the same melody line with each verse containing its own lyrics, while the chorus usually has its own melody with the same lyrics every time it is sung.

Take “How Great Thou Art”, for example.

The first verse talks about God’s creative power as it describes the planets, stars, thunder, and the universe as a whole.

Then we sing the Chorus which summarizes the essence of what each verse points to - which (In this song) happens to be the greatness of God evidenced through His plan of salvation.

Verse 2 describes the beauty of nature that God has so generously allowed us to experience on a daily basis – forests, singing birds, mountains, streams, and gentle breezes….Then we repeat the Chorus.

Verse 3 speaks specifically of the cross, and how God sent His one and only son, Jesus Christ, to die for the sins of humanity….Then we repeat the Chorus.

Finally, verse 4 talks about the triumphant return of Christ and how we shall all worship Him in humility and joy….Then we repeat the Chorus one last time.

The vast majority of songs contain this Verse/Chorus structure, or some variant of it. Sometimes a song will include a bridge – a short section of a song with a distinct melody of its own, different from the verses and the chorus.

Rarely, you sometimes find songs comprised of verses only - no chorus at all.

Some examples of songs without a chorus include: Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald (Gordon Lightfoot) Yesterday (the Beatles) El Paso (Marty Robbins) and I Walk the Line (Johnny Cash)…No chorus in these songs.

There are a few praise songs that also contain only verses, such as “He is Exalted” and “As the Deer.”

Occasionally, you will hear songs that are just a chorus with no verses. Two songs like this are “The Family of God” and “Our God is an Awesome God”….technically, these songs actually do have verses but they typically don’t ever get sung.

If you look closely, The passage in Acts chapter 2 that we have been covering for the last three weeks almost reads like a song.

Each of the four verses leading up to today (Verses 42-45) are reminiscent of verses in a song.

Likewise, today’s verses (46&47) are like the chorus of this entire passage.

Verses 46 & 47 summarize the major themes contained in the previous four verses of this inspiring passage of scripture.

In these two verses, we see some familiar themes; we see fellowship…we see people gathering around a meal…we see joy…we see people praising God…we see respect coming from those outside of the church…and, finally, we see God rewarding the church’s faithfulness and obedience by drawing more and more people into the community of believers.

First, let’s take a little closer look at verse 46.

The first two words of this verse (“Every day” – some translations say “day by day”) provide an important lens through which to understand the level of devotion that these people had for God and for one another.

These early Christians literally met every day…Yes, I know what you’re thinking: If Pastor Andy asks me to come to church every day – No Way! I’m Outta Here!

Don’t worry, you won’t be asked to come to church every day – I mean, I’m not here at church every day either– but I will suggest something similar: can I ask you to pray for this church every day?

I know that many of you have jobs and those of you who are retired tell me that you are just as busy doing things as when you were working full time.

In your busy schedule, might I suggest carving out some time each day to pray for other individuals in this church - as well as for the church in general. Pray for the leadership here, pray for the ministries here, pray for how you can give of your spiritual gifts to bless others in this congregation.

We may not be able to be physically together every day like the early church in Acts was accustomed to doing, BUT we can be together spiritually – and it is my firm belief that if we all do this, God will honor it. God will bless this congregation even more than He already has.

Galatians 6:9 says “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, if you are faithful to God through dedicated prayer time, through the reading your Bible, through the breaking of bread, and through fellowship with other believers, God will reward you with so much joy in your heart that it will become intoxicating…you will become addicted to serving Jesus Christ!

Have you ever noticed those pharmaceutical commercials where near the end of the commercial, a voice (going about a mile-a-minute) begins to disclose all of the possible side effects of the drug they are trying to sell you? I believe they call it a disclaimer, they are making sure that they cannot be held liable if something drastic were to happen to you while taking their medication.

Here's where I need to also give a disclaimer (I won’t talk really fast though)

If you begin to ramp up your dosage of scripture, prayer time, and fellowship with other believers….You may begin to experience the intense side-effect of spiritual euphoria (In other words, JOY)

….and here’s the really scary part: this side effect of spiritual Joy can sometimes cause people to experience a change in their priorities!

What once seemed all-important in life (Things like money, material possessions, chasing overtime at work, drugs, sexually immoral behavior, power, political zealotry…) these things may begin to pale in comparison to a new desire to spend time with God and spend time with the people of God.

You see, if you begin to increase your spiritual dosage, Pastor Andy isn’t going to have to tell you to hang out with the church more often, because you are going to want to hang out with the church more often – you will cherish opportunities to be around those belonging to the household of faith.

Verse 46 also tells us that these early believers were often seen meeting at the Temple in Jerusalem.

You might be wondering, Why? I thought these people were Christians now…why would they still want to be hanging out at the Jewish Temple?

After all, the Events of Easter and Pentecost would have changed the Jewish believers’ relationship to the temple in at least 2 ways:

1)     The system of priestly sacrifice administered at the Temple was no longer needed as Jesus had become the ultimate, and final, sacrifice for sin.

2)     The Spirit of God (The Holy Spirit) now dwelt in the heart of the believer rather than in the heart of the Temple.

So again we ask, why did these early followers of Jesus want to spend time at a place that represented what Jesus (as well as The Holy Spirit) had ultimately fulfilled?

I believe the answer to this question lies in the first 10 verses of Acts chapter 3:

“One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer – at three in the afternoon. Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver of Gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.”

I think we now have an idea of at least one reason why these Christians wanted to spend time at the Temple (Fun fact – these early believers weren’t actually called “Christians yet – they were simply called ‘Disciples of Jesus’ or ‘the brethren’ or ‘people of the way’)

These ‘People of the Way’ spent time at the Temple to witness to others! As Jewish believers themselves, they wanted to reach other Jewish people for Jesus.

Another possible reason why these folks frequented the Temple was because it was familiar – It was comfortable for them to be there.

Remember, most of these people didn’t suddenly stuff their “Jewishness” in a hole and forget about it after coming to faith in Jesus (Who, might I remind you, was Jewish himself)

Many of these people would still have had a strong sentimental attachment to the Temple – it had been a central geographical and spiritual component their entire lives.

Think of it like this: if tomorrow this sanctuary were to become a Jewish synagogue, but the Rabbi told us that our church family could still use the basement…many of us would probably still want to meet here because it is comforting to be in a familiar setting.

So too, was the Temple for the Jewish believers.

Think about it - Where did Paul always go first when he would come to a new city to preach the gospel?...He always went to the Jewish synagogue before going anywhere else. It was familiar….and the typical 1st century Jew would have had many things in common with Paul and his message – they were already “halfway there”, so to speak.

A Jewish person of faith would have just needed to take that last step of accepting Jesus as being the fulfillment of the Old Testament system to which they would have already been adhering to.

Let’s take a look now at verse 47 – The “Final crescendo of this inspiring Chorus of the early church”

These glad and sincere believers were “Praising God” and “Enjoying the favor of all the people.”

One time when we were kids, my cousin and I were playing in the woods and (And as can happen with two unsupervised pre-teen boys) time got away from us…. it began to get really dark outside without us even noticing (In our defense, we were building a very important stone fortress called “Fort Droogan” – and I will have you know that remains of ‘Fort Droogan’ still can be seen to this day, some 40 years later…maybe we can all take a field trip there someday! 😊)

 As we were trying to find our way back through the darkness, my cousin stops, listens, turns to me and says, “Do you get the feeling we’re being watched?” I looked at him, then I looked around at the darkness, then I looked at him….next thing I know we are high-tailing it on a dead run, stumbling and bumbling as fast as we can back to the house!

Yes, The mighty builders of Fort Droogan had gotten a little spooked that night, but don’t let that momentary lapse in courage make you think any less of our impressive architectural accomplishment….did I mention that Fort Droogan is still standing to this day? 😊

Folks - As Christians, we are being watched.

Hopefully that realization doesn’t make you want to high-tail it out of the woods of faith.

Hopefully, you will want to embrace the realization that people are watching you – they are watching to see if what you say concerning your faith matches what you do….And if you exude integrity, peace, love, and confidence, most people will respect you….not only that - they will want to have it too!

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 says “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.”

Paul is reminding us here of the importance of keeping on task.

There’s that old saying “Keeping your nose to the grindstone keeps you out of trouble” or how about this one “Idle hands are the Devil’s tools”… anyone remember these?

There certainly is truth imbedded in these sayings. As a general rule, If we stay focused on the things of faith and work with integrity as to the Lord, people will take notice – because they are watching!

Finally, the last part of verse 47 provides God’s response to the faithful obedience of the new church.

Verse 42 begins this incredible passage of scripture by describing the members of the early church as being devoted to four basic activities:

1)     The Apostles’ teaching (The Bible)

2)     Fellowship

3)     The breaking of bread

4)     Prayer

Verse 47 concludes this passage of scripture by describing the way in which God responds to these obedient believers – He blesses their obedience by “Adding to their number daily those who were being saved.”

You know what?...God still blesses obedience in the same way today.

Would you like to see more people coming to the Lord? Give these four activities priority in your life.

Would you like to see more people coming to this church? Give these four activities priority in your life.

Would you like to see more people responding to your evangelistic efforts? Give these four activities priority in your life.

Lastly, would you like to experience supernatural joy, peace, and love within a community of people devoted to Jesus Christ? Then all of us need to give these four activities priority in our lives.

If we all make the decision to be completely devoted to God – God will continue to bring more and more people through these doors, and more importantly, bring people to saving faith in Jesus Christ.

Let’s Pray.