Marks Of A Disciple Series

Acts 2:42-47  - The Marks of a Disciple - January 29, 2017

Turn with me this morning to Acts 2.  We want to continue on in looking at the early church.

Sophie and Shirley, two elderly widows in a Florida adult community, were curious about the latest arrival in their building -- a quiet, nice looking gentleman who kept to himself.  Shirley says, "Sophie, you know I’m shy. Why don’t you go over to him at the pool and find out a little about him. He looks so lonely.”  Sophie agreed, and later that day at the pool, she walked up to him and said, "Excuse me, sir. I hope I’m not prying, but my friend and I were wondering why you looked so lonely."

"Of course I’m lonely, he says, "I’ve spent the past 20 years in prison.”  "You’re kidding! What for?"

"For killing my third wife. I strangled her.”  "What happened to your second wife?"

"I shot her.”  "And, if I may ask, your first wife?"

"We had a fight and I pushed her off a bridge.” "Oh my," says Sophie. Then turning to her friend on the other side of the pool, she yells, "You’re never going to believe this, Shirley. He’s single.”

The truth is, God created us for relationships.  We are created in the image of God, and throughout the bible we see that God is interested in relationships with His people.  From coming down and walking with Adam in the Garden of Eden - to traveling with the Jews in the wilderness for 40 years - to all His calls to the nation of Israel through the prophets.  We have a God who is relational and who has created us for relationships.

And as we look at the forming of the church - from the ascension of Jesus in Acts 1 to the coming of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2, we see from the very beginning that the church - the physical expression of the body of Christ on this earth - has been a relational body.  When you become a Christian and place your faith in what Jesus has done for you, you become part of this relationship, part of the family of God, with all your brothers and sisters in Christ.  Following Christ is much more than walking an aisle and saying a prayer, it is a lifetime relationship with the God of all creation and with all your fellow followers of Christ.

So here in Acts 2, we saw the Day of Pentecost, 50 days after Easter, the celebration of the harvest, and God brings a harvest of 3,000 believers who will become part of the family of God.  This chapter is given to us so

1 - we can know we have been given the Holy Spirit - as Christians we don’t have to do something special - there is no “second work of grace” - but we receive the Holy Spirit at the moment of salvation.  2nd we see

2 - the Holy Spirit will empower us to be witnesses - we don’t have to rely on our own efforts, wisdom, or strength - but the Holy Spirit is the one who leads and guides us.  But the third lesson we learn here in Acts 2 is that 

3 - Our witness will be confirmed by our lifestyle.  Because we receive the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit works in our life to change the way we live.  As I said, being a disciple of Jesus is not defined by praying a prayer, but by a lifetime of following.  Jesus said in John 13:35 - By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”  When we follow Christ, it can be SEEN in our life!  Our witness is not just what we SAY - it’s how we LIVE, it’s who we ARE.  Far too often we think about witnessing being a memorized script of what we can SAY to someone.  But it does not good to talk to someone if your life doesn’t back it up.  Here at the end of the chapter in verses 42-47 we find out how we should live as witnesses for Jesus Christ.  Read 2:42-47 - PRAY

Peter has just finished his message that Jesus is the promised Messiah, and in following Him we receive forgiveness of sins.  3,000 people gladly receive his words and follow.  And then in the next verse, we see that there is a lifestyle change that takes place.  There is a commitment that they make. The first mark of a disciple is 

* Commitment - It says here “They devoted themselves. . .”   It is very sad that we live in an age where someone can be identified as a fine upstanding Christian without being a true disciple of Jesus Christ. We have far too many people in church who call themselves Christians but don’t want to be disciples.  What’s the difference?  There is no difference between a true Christian and a disciple, because if the Holy Spirit is at work in you, He will be changing you to be more like Christ.  But there are many who “call themselves” Christians but who aren't the least interested in following Christ, being like Christ, being a disciple.  To those like that, I remind you of the words of 2 Corinthians 13 - Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves.  Jesus reminds us in Matthew 7 - Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’  Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’