FELLOWSHIP SET AFLAME
#762 FELLOWSHIP SET AFLAME
Scripture Acts 2:40-47 Orig. 11/11/1979
Rewr. 2/9/1982
Passage: 40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
The Fellowship of the Believers
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who 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.
Purpose: In a series from The Book of Acts, to declare the great message of the early church as it discovers its potential to become the people of God.
Keywords: Bible Study Faith Fellowship Outreach Revival
Timeline/Series: Acts
Introduction
Acts describes “fellowship” form the New Testament perspective. We are able to see for ourselves what it is like in the 20th Century. Perhaps a view of the fields of the 17th century will help us to determine if we have lost something of a great significance. From The Memorable Works of a Son of Thunder by Francis Howgill. (Editor correction: Edward Burrough, 1634-1663)
The Kingdom of Heaven did gather us and catch us all as in a net, and His heavenly power at one time drew many hundreds to land. We came to know a place to stand in and what to wait in; and the Lord appeared daily to us, to our astonishment, amazement, and great admiration, insomuch that we often said one unto another with great joy of heart: “What, is the Kingdom of God come to be with men? And will He take up His tabernacle among the sons of men, as He did of old? Shall we, that were reckoned as the outcasts of Israel, have this honor of glory communicated amongst us, which were but men of small parts, and of little abilities, in respect to many others, amongst men? And from that day forward, our hearts were knit unto the Lord and one unto another in true and fervent love, in the covenant of life with God; and that was a strong obligation or bond upon our spirits, which united us one unto another. We met together in the unity of the Spirit, and in the bond of peace, treading down under our feet all reasoning about religion. And holy resolutions were kindled in our hearts as a fire which the Life kindleth in us to serve the Lord while we had a being, and mightily did the Word of God grow amongst us, and the desires of many were after the name of the Lord. O happy day! O blessed day! The memorial can never pass out of my mind. And thus, the Lord, in short, did form us to be a people for his praise in our generation.”
I. Such Fellowship Meant a Gospel Proclaimed. V40, “With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, ‘Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.’”
The middle verses of chapter 2 establish gospel. Announcement of “day of the Lord.” V17, “And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God.” It is affirmation of basic aspects of Jesus’ life. V22, “. . . Hear what I have to say. Jesus lived among you, He died because of you, and for you, but He lives because God came to you in Jesus” (the Skinner short version of 22-25.)
What a joy to view the perspective of the land of Jesus. There is such a wealth of material available in book, on tape, in video. Too much time is spent watching unseemly TV soap operas.
The gospel authenticated the superiority of grace over law. David was dead. A great leader, but dead. His tomb was nearby. But Jesus was alive. Oh, how Satan sought to create a delusion of His death. It is still the first defense for the skeptic.
The gospel must make every attempt to call people to decision. See v21, “Whosoever shall call”; see v36, “Let all the house of Israel know”; see v38, “Repent and be baptized, every one;” see v40, “He did exhort saying, ‘Save yourself.’”
This gospel proclamation is central to our faith and must never change. There is such worth and encouragement in the evangelist who lives the life and exhorts decision. There may be variant program interests. The contemporary may show persistent differences. God help us to be faithful to proclaim the gospel and to call people to decide.
Ultimately, it is the gospel that relates sin to the cross. The human condition has not changed. The unbelieving contingent is in greater jeopardy for all the so-called Christians who do not take sin seriously. See v23—sin put Jesus on the cross.
It is the gospel that demands adjustment in the life of the believer.
It is the gospel that portrays God’s forgiveness. Forgiveness means that estrangement is gone. It means we are at peace. It means that the offending iniquity has been resolved. It does not mean that sin is gone from the extensions of our lives.
It is the gospel that forecasts the Holy Spirit’s resolve in the believer’s life.
II. Such Fellowship Meant United Purpose. V41, “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized; and the same day there were added unto them about 3,000 souls.”
There are three interrelated action words.
“Received”-- apodexomai—not the normative word for belief (pisteuó) or “to trust.” This word is mental credence and more. It is unreserved submission to a new life orientation.
“Baptized”—since you are Baptists, you know what it means. You know that only “immersion” translates the Greek. The people here being “baptized” were doing what was repugnant to them. They were Jews, God’s people. This ritualistic form meant them to be separated from their covenant God by their own sin. No person truly comes to Christ who does not deal with their own sin. Why age of accountability is so important. Also why “koinonia” Bible study, etc., are, and this brings us to the third “action” word.
“Added”—prostithémi—“to place beside.” Those who believe come to a place of equality. They take their place in the fellowship of believers. They perceive of themselves as “babes” in the faith who need to be nourished to grow.
It is interesting that medical science has taken this word, literally, to name a rapidly changing sphere of developmental medicine. “Prosthetics” is the science of artificial body parts, that which is “added.” Ask anyone who has lost a hand, arm, leg, breast, what this has “added” to their lives.
III. Finally, Fellowship Means, for All of Us, Growing, Changing in Our Faith. V42, “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”
Of what did the early church consist? Firstly, it was a learning church. The word means they persisted in hearing what the apostles had to say. The apostles were not motivators, or promoters, they were proclaimers. We are waiting for some self-styled motivator to come along to get us to do what we don’t want to do. Too many are steadfastly looking for some reason to excuse ourselves from the koinonia.
It was a church of fellowship. “Steadfastly . . . in the fellowship” says text. It is a noun. We tend to view “fellowship” as a verb. It is not what we do, it is what we are. It is the fellowship that produces harmony, that produces success. It will be interesting, after the “strike” is over, if split teams can “win.”
It was a praying church. Jesus has taught them this. They were learning more in practical experience. We are dealing with this very thing in prayer meeting. “Caring” people will want to share.
It was a reverent church. V43, “And fear came upon every soul.” The idea of reverential awe. And fear came before the “wonders and signs.” I remind you this morning the contemporary mission consequence was birthed on the concept of “expect great things from God, attempt great things for God.”
And it goes without saying further that it was a giving (sharing) church.
Conclusion
Using Dr. Helen Falls’ (NOBTS) story of Miss Alice Barnes of Maryland WMU. Miss Falls worked for her. Saving reusable material with a flourish “All right, Miss Annie.” Alice had worked for Annie Armstrong as Helen was working for Miss Alice. Limed funds. One year 127,000 pieces of material to Maryland WMU. They walked the streets of Baltimore to save the 2 cents it then cost to mail a letter. Alice Barnes could not break the covenant, though Annie Armstrong was long dead.
Links/References
Howgill https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/quakers/biographies/howgill_biog.html
Burrough https://www.friendslibrary.com/edward-burrough/life
Memorable Works: https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/eebo/A30510.0001.001/1:102?rgn=div1;view=fulltext
Burrough, E. (1671). The Memorable Works of a Son of Thunder, E. Hookes.
A WITNESSING CHURCH
#059/762a A WITNESSING CHURCH
Scripture Acts 2:38-47, NIV Orig. 8/12/1962
Rewr. 2/8/1982
Passage: 38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
The Fellowship of the Believers
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who 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.
Purpose: To share with my people an intense statement from the church as presented in Acts, a measure of these characteristics that define the church today.
Keywords: Church Education Worship Fellowship Ordinances
Introduction
Dr. Earl Guinn, former President of Louisiana College, speaking at the Louisiana Evangelism Conference (1982), raised a question relative to our authority for preaching the gospel to a lost world. It is obvious from many quarters that the lost world itself is not interested, and to a large degree does not want to be bothered. Can it then be a measure of our responsibility to force something down the throats of other people that they really don’t want? Is our authority within ourselves? Is it simply that we have something that we want to give away? Can it be that only in this way can we improve life upon the earth?
Dr. Guinn answered the question he asked by reminding us of some of the other authority for doing some of the things we do. As never before in world history, there is a major emphasis upon feeding the hungry people of the world. Thousands upon thousands of people are involved. Huge sums of money are being spent. Our authority for feeding hungry people is their HUNGER. Many, many people in the 20th Century are included in the task of educating people in 3rd world nations and other places as well. Our authority for educating the unlearned people of Mother Earth is IGNORANCE. We need no further guideline. Many of our own missionaries are involved in medical missions. Our own government has agencies that spend millions of dollars every year in an effort to assist other nations with medical emergencies. Other denominations, and other governments, are just as concerned as we. Our authority for involving ourselves in the intimate medical needs of people whom we do not know is LIFE-THREATENING ILLNESS.
Our speaker that day at the Evangelism Conference wasted no more time making his point. If anyone ever raises a question about our authority for evangelism, for witnessing, then just remind him of the LOSTNESS of people without Christ.
It is easy to perceive of the church’s role to witness as one that is gravely over-stated in the Scripture. Yet, there is such a tendency on our parts not to do, and not to be, what we must. The circumstance of the church in Ephesus is a case in point. In this book of symbolism, the church was represented by a candlestick. In the letter to Ephesus, the ultimate in God’s displeasure was stated in terms of removing the candlestick “out of its place.” It was not the idea of God turning “off” the light. It was the idea of a light that is not burning is serving no purpose. A lampstand that does not give off light is just something else to stumble over in the dark.
I. The Church is to Witness by Her Unity. V44, And all that believed were together.
The first goal of the Church is Community. Over the past ten or so years, 40 or 50 families of Mennonites have come into East Carroll Parish. They came from a state, Kansas, where it is against the law, outside of direct family units, to engage in family farming. Unity is the ultimate character of their church, socially as well as religiously.
The next, and perhaps the only other goal of a church is self-determination. (Now that we are together in unity, what are we doing to do with all this energy?) Baptists move on the cutting edge of effectiveness because of self-determination.
I continue to be dismayed and somewhat overwhelmed by how quickly news travels about churches in squabbles. I am convinced that nothing pleases Satan more than a disrupted congregation of believers.
II. The Church is to Witness by Her Fellowship. V46, And they, continuing daily . . . , did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart.
We must be careful to understand that of which our fellowship consists. People who are active in leadership and financial support. Others who have little to give and feel themselves unworthy of leadership. Perhaps even, some who do not even attend.
The link of fellowship is an experience in which Christ is made unquestioned Lord of our lives.
The last and least link in fellowship is the gathering of a small group of church members called “Fellowship.” We fellowship in groups, large and small, where the substance of our togetherness is our declared relationship to Christ who died for our sin.
III. The Church is to Witness by Her Organization. V47, And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
A reference was made under unity to the matter of self-determination. How do we minister to our constituency? Offering a program based on Bible education that will enable us to make Christ-honoring decisions.
How do we minister to other people? The basis has always been first through the Sunday School. The main emphasis is often on enrolment. We have based our organization on five great principles that remain unchanged: (1)Know your possibilities; (2)Enlarge your organization; (3)Provide needed space; (4)Enlist and train workers; (5)Go after the people.
IV. The Church is to Witness by Her Training. V42, And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine.
Every opportunity must be taken to train people for the tasks they are called to do. No time or inclination to talk about spiritual gifts, but keep people in areas of interest. Organized training studies: Jeremiah, census. Church training.
Every believer should desire to improve his knowledge. II Timothy 2:15, Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed.
V. The Church Must Witness by Her Place of Worship. V46, And they, continuing daily with one accord in the Temple. . . .
Much could be said about the place of worship. We must certainly do no worse by our Lord’s house than we do by our own homes. We should treat that building with the respect due. What is to be thought of a community of well-tended homes where the church building is in disrepair and is untidy?
VI. The Church Must Witness by Her Worship. V46f, And they continued daily with one accord in the Temple, . . . praising God, . . . . Acts 5:42, And daily in the Temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus the Christ.
It must be attended with dignity. It is to be winsome and compelling. Above all, it is to honor God.
VII. The Church is to Witness by Her Ordinances. V41, Then they that gladly received the word were baptized; . . . and they continued . . . in breaking of bread . . . .
We honor our Lord by every visit to the baptismal pool. It means that we are sharing our faith. Too often, however, we are only baptizing our own. It is greater honor to our Lord when we have reached out to the unbelieving and unsuspecting community about us. Baptism pictures our death to self and resurrection to life in Him.
We honor Him further by occasional forays at the table. We hold up the broken fragments of His life. We examine the nature of His blood, poured out at the cross. We glory in the reality that He is alive, and that we live through Him.
VIII. The Church is to Witness by Her Membership. V38, Then Peter said, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Water baptism is a living symbol of a larger experience of submergence in grace.
Membership in the community of faith, then, consists of three things: (1)Repentance—the initial act of faith; (2)Baptism—link of obedience and community; (3)Holy Spirit—the empowering agent for the Christ-honoring life in the world. Remember, we don’t have the Holy Spirit, as if He were a potion of some kind to help us get what we want. The Holy Spirit has us to use to magnify Christ in the world to the glory of God.
IX. The Church is to Witness by Her Name. This is really a part of the one above.
X. The Church is to Witness by Her Contributions. V45, And sold their goods, and parted them to all as each had needs.
Don’t let disdain for communism blind you to truth. These folks were not interested in ideology, they were interested in honoring Christ.
We too must give of our substance. (1)Money. (2)Goods. (3)Service. (SELF). Within the context of that cultural, social, political ideology that applies to us, we are to seek to honor Christ with what we are, and what we do, and what we have. This is not largely different from what happened in Jerusalem.
Link/References
Guinn: https://lcuniversity.edu/homage-to-dr-g-earl-guinn/