How To Act In Church (Part 1) Series

How To Act In Church

I Peter 3:8-12

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When I was a child I knew that there were certain things that were expected concerning my behavior in church. I knew that there were some things that would not be tolerated. I was taught from birth "how to act in God's house". Certain clothes were acceptable for church and some were not. I learned the hard way that you are not supposed to run in church! We could not eat or drink in the sanctuary. Getting up and going to the restroom or water fountain after the service started was not an option! Video games and toys were left at home or in the car. Talking during the singing or preaching was a sure way to face the chastising rod of my earthly father. It was impossible for me to get away with anything during church because my mother was up front playing the organ and my father was in the back running the sound system. But it was not just parents that would get on to you for breaking the rules. The people sitting in front of you or behind you would set you straight as well! (Ironically... some of them were the same ones who would argue, fuss and fight with each other at the monthly business meeting!)

Children should be taught the proper way to act in church. But I can tolerate a small child acting up much easier than I can grown adults in the church who act like two year olds. Unfortunately, if you have spent any time in a local assembly you have probably encountered grown men and women who act like children.

This is not a new phenomenon. Peter, Paul, John and even Jesus dealt with adults who didn't know how to act. In our selected text Peter gives us some clear instructions as to how Christians should act toward one another. I would like to look at those instructions and preach on the thought "How To Act In Church"! These truths do not simply apply inside the walls of the local church. These are actions that should mark the lives of each and every born again Christian.

Since Chapter 2 verse 13 Peter has been giving direction to different factions in the churches of Asia Minor. He tells the Christian how to respond to those in authority in 2:13-17. He tells the servant how to respond to their masters in 2:18-25. He tells the Christian wives how to respond to their unbelieving husbands in 3:1-6. He tells the husband how to treat their wives in 3:7.Now He tells us how we should treat one another as brothers and sisters in Christ. Let's look at his exhortation and see just "How We Should Act In The Church"

Peter begins with something that is vitally important to the success of any local church... Notice:

A. THERE IS TO BE UNITY IN THE CHURCH - "Finally, be ye all of one mind"

The Greek word here literally means to be “like-minded.” - Being like-minded is not something that happens only when others agree with you!

I heard Dr. Ted Traylor say one time "If I was president of the church we would all be a part of the same denomination... and we would like it! We would all read the same translation of the bible... and we would like it. We would all sing the same kind of music ...and we would like it! But I am not and that is not going to happen!!!"

We are not all going to agree on everything all of the time. It is football season so we know that is never going to happen. We have differing opinions, different likes and dislikes and that is perfectly fine. Peter is not saying that we are required to agree on everything. He is calling for unity, not uniformity. The only way for us to achieve "like-mindedness" is for us to all have the same focus... and that is the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul said “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5). - We must have the same purpose, We must have the same focus, We must have the same goal. And when we do, there is no limit to what God can do in, with and through us. This like-mindedness contributed to the success of the early church.

Acts 2:1 ¶And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.------- Acts 2:46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,------- Acts 4:32 ¶And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. 33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.