TIMELESS CHURCH
We trust today’s message encouraged and guided you in your journey of following Jesus. These notes are meant to help you remember and reflect on the message, help you go deeper into study on the subject, or be used for a sermon group discussion.
Sermon Title: TIMELESS CHURCH
Main Scripture: Acts 2:42-47
If you’re going through this discussion with a community group this week, consider reading the provided scripture to catch everyone up!
Summary:
There are three key elements in the Acts 2 church: the power of the Spirit, the preaching, and the people. The Spirit’s power, Spirit-filled preaching, and the Spirit-filled church. The Holy Spirit is the inspiration and power source for everything the Acts 2 church accomplishes.
Notes:
Context:
“Acts 2:42-6:7 describes the earliest days of the church at Jerusalem and covers the first three to five years of the new messianic movement (A.D. 30 to the mid-thirties). Luke deals with the events of this period using a thesis paragraph (Acts 2:42-47) followed by a series of vignettes that illustrate that paragraph (Acts 3:1-6:7).” -Longnecker, Acts-The Expositors Bible Commentary, page 84.
Scripture: Acts 2:42-47
All the believers devoted themselves…
If you read this scripture more than once you’ll start to capture the powerful theme that they were all in together. Everyone was devoted to one another. What they had was contagious because they were joyful and full of the Spirit and the ministry results were exciting. It is very possible that being outnumbered also drew them closer together.
Devoted to the apostle’s teaching…
The new believers did not scatter after their conversion but demonstrated a persistent desire for further instruction.
The apostles taught from their first-hand, eyewitness accounts of Jesus’ ministry life. The apostles spent years in discipleship with Jesus, this is where they would draw teachings and foundational lessons for the church.
Jesus had commanded them to teach the new disciples to obey everything commanded. Solid doctrine provides a sound basis for Christian living. “If you hold to my teaching,” Christ said, “you are really my disciples” (John 8:31).
Devoted to Fellowship.
Fellowship was experienced in the process of teaching, the Lord’s supper, prayer, and around meals.
The Greek word Koinonia is used 20 times in the New Testament. Verse 42 is the first instance. This word denotes an intimate, spiritual fellowship with God and one another.
Our koinonia with each other is based on our common relationship with Jesus. 1 John 1:3-4 says, We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 4 We are writing these things so that you may fully share our joy.
1 John 1:6-7; Philippians 2:1-2; Ephesians 4:2-4. There is a likemindedness because we have the same Holy Spirit dwelling in us.
Devoted to sharing in meals, including the Lord’s Supper (communion).
There are different views on this verse. Some suggest it was either/or, not both/and.
We know they practiced both so I say don’t split hairs here. At this time, they were eating meals together and breaking bread for the Lord’s supper when meeting together.
Breaking bread represented the body of Christ broken for us, giving himself to suffer and die. The bread and the vine point us to the sacrifice of the cross and remind us of his provision for forgiveness and that He is the source of our strength. (The Lord’s supper calls us to remain in him, remain in the vine!) The Lord’s Supper also calls us to look forward to Christ’s return to the earth. It anticipates the blessings and joy of all who will participate in the marriage supper of the Lamb (Rev. 19:9). -FLB Commentary, pg. 549
Paul had to later correct the church about their misuse of eating meals and the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor. 11:17-34). See: https://www.gotquestions.org/examine-yourself.html
Devoted to Prayer
Before Pentecost, they were constantly united in prayer. After the outpouring, they continued in constant prayer. They prayed in the temple and they prayed together in their homes. Prayer was done together more than it is today. This is something I pray we can continue to grow in.
V. 43 An awe came over them all…the apostles performed many miraculous signs
In all missionary advances in the Book of Acts, the Word was accompanied by miraculous signs and wonders (4:30; 5:12; 14:8-10; 15:12; 19:10-12 [1 Thess. 1:5]) -Horton, Stanley. ACTS, pages 84-85.
As the apostles went about daily life they would perform miraculous signs and wonders which led them into opportunities to share the gospel. This is alluding to Chapter 3 and Peter’s miraculous healing. The ministry of the gospel came with demonstrations of power and the supernatural works of God through the apostles.
Signs and wonders alone do not save anyone but they do open hearts to the gospel.
The awe is most likely from the evidence of the power of God at work among them.
V. 44-46 All the believers met together…shared everything…worshiped together…
These verses depict their devotion, unity, sacrificial love, and generosity.
This was not communism in the modern sense or even communal living. This was Christians being a generous and loving community. The church was voluntarily giving and helping each other as a need arose. Not everyone had the means to sell land or possessions nor were people expected to do so.
Acts 4:32-37 Barnabas is singled out as one who sold the property to give voluntarily
Worship and fellowship poured over into their homes not just the temple.
V. 47 The Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved…
The body of Christ was contagious to the observers in the surrounding community. The citizens in Jerusalem saw the church’s devotion to fellowship, generosity, and worship.
No doubt the church was also being witnesses of the gospel (Acts 1:8).
The Lord added to their fellowship those being saved. As they were being saved, the church took great care of the new believers because they were all devoted to God, to one another, and to the mission.
Application - Timeless Church
You could essentially organize the church life of Acts 2 into three categories today:
Worship of God
Devotion and obedience, prayer, communion, and praise.
Spiritual Growth of the Church
Love, discipleship, teaching, serving, and generosity
Evangelism of the world
Shine and be a light, faith for miraculous works, and bear witness to the gospel
Today, we got a small glimpse of what the church looked like and the community the Spirit of God was forming. I believe what we see in this scripture and the scriptures to come are what I call, “Timeless Church.”No matter how much time passes, the practices and ministry of the Acts 2 church can be applied and translated into the modern-day church. What do I mean? The church should always be devoted to:
Sound Biblical teaching and preaching of the Word
a. The Spirit of God put a desire in all the new believers for the Word. A disciple of Christ is a learner, follower, and imitator of Christ.
b. Salvation is just the beginning…a new life in following Christ is next.
c. Colossians 2:6-7a And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. 7 Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him.
Worship and Prayer
a. Worship is more than songs, it’s our way of life. We can bring honor and glory to God through our daily trust, praise, love for others, obedience to God, etc. b.
b. When it comes to prayer at church…Would it be awkward to pray for one another in our services? Have we made it awkward? I can understand if someone is new or a seeker and they have no or little experience of praying. I think seasoned believers can help demonstrate how or prayer just goes one way until you are comfortable.
Fellowship with one another.
a. There was a desire for what is called Biblical or spiritual fellowship, not just coffee and cookies. In Biblical fellowship, the new believer learns how to read and study the Bible, pray, worship, serve, give, and make disciples. The key is Biblical fellowship provides living and caring examples not just the teaching of the pulpit. It is critical that people have personal discipleship/mentoring or small-group help.
b. Water baptism is to be fully immersed in water but when new believers are spiritually added to the family of God there also needs to be a physical immersion into the fellowship and family of God. The Acts 2 church did such a great job welcoming and caring for those who were added.
c. It has been said, “you are the sum of who you surround yourself with.” I think in Christianity you are meant to be who dwells in you and your surroundings help foster that. The Bible says bad company corrupts good character so Godly company should develop Godly character! Iron sharpens iron (Prov. 27:17). Spur one another towards love and good deeds (Heb.10:24-25). d. The power of Biblical fellowship. For those who don’t know what it’s like…
e. Get together, grow together, and go reach the lost together
Sacrificial Love and Generosity
a. We have a large fellowship and one of the ways you can really serve and help is by caring for the people around you. If you see someone missing for weeks or God puts someone on your heart, reach out and check on them. If someone is in need consider how you can help. If the need is too great get in touch with our office. Together we can be ready for even more souls to be added to our fellowship.
b. 1 John 3:16-18
Faith in God for miraculous works
a. John 14:12-14 “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. 13 You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. 14 Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!
b. Keep in mind Jesus used these works for the mission. When will we see these works increase? I sincerely think these works increase when we go in faith and in the power of the Spirit to reach the lost.
Making Disciples
I take a more comprehensive look at evangelism through the eyes of the great commission. Jesus said to make disciples and we will be witnesses (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8). To make disciples means to evangelize the lost, welcome and teach new believers how to worship God, grow in their faith, and then teach them to evangelize the world. Making disciples cares for the whole journey of the person, their salvation to their own ability to evangelize.
Close:
When I read this scripture and zoom out, I see something simple for us today:
We need God
We need each other
The world needs us (God and the church)
Discussion:
What did God use in this sermon to speak to your heart or situation?
What part of the scripture stuck out to you and why?
What practice(s) of the Acts 2 church do we as a church in America need to improve on and why?
In what ways have you seen the miraculous signs and wonders of God today?
What benefits have you experienced in being in Biblical fellowship? How do we help others find out how powerful Biblical fellowship is too?
What other notes did you highlight or write down that you would like to share?
The most important decision you will ever make!
Are you ready to experience salvation and be transformed? We encourage you to process this decision with a strong believer and when you’re ready say a simple prayer like this from your heart: Dear God, I acknowledge and admit I have sinned. I see my need for Jesus Christ. I believe in Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I believe I am forgiven and cleansed of my sin by His death. I also believe I have eternal life because of His resurrection from the dead. I repent, I turn away from my old ways and I choose to live my life to worship you and follow Jesus, Amen!
We would love to know if you made the decision to accept this wonderful gift from God. Let us know here.
Pray Together
We hope you found this AFTER THE SERMON discussion helpful for your walk with Jesus. We pray you can find ways to apply it this week!