One Accord

Accomplishing either one of these would be marvelous, but to accomplish both is astounding.

Illus: Occasionally, many churches have a “NO EXCUSE SUNDAY,” trying to get everyone to attend. Before this Sunday arrives, they send out newsletters from the church, stating:

• Cots will be placed in the foyer for those who say, "Sunday is my only day to sleep in."

• There will be a special section with lounge chairs for those who feel that our pews are too hard.

• Eye drops will be available for those with tired eyes from watching TV late Saturday night.

• We will have steel helmets for those who say, "The roof would cave in if I ever came to church."

• Blankets will be furnished for those who think the church is too cold, and fans for those who say it is too hot.

• Scorecards will be available for those who wish to list the hypocrites present.

• Relatives and friends will be in attendance for those who can't go to church and cook dinner, too.

• We will distribute "Stamp Out Stewardship" buttons for those that feel the church is always asking for money.

• One section will be devoted to trees and grass for those who like to seek God in nature.

• Doctors and nurses will be in attendance for those who plan to be sick on Sunday.

• The sanctuary will be decorated with both Christmas poinsettias and Easter lilies for those who never have seen the church without them.

• We will provide hearing aids for those who can't hear the preacher and cotton wool for those who think he's too loud!

On this special day, they promise to make every effort to eliminate all the excuses. But when the day arrives they have members who will not attend. Every church in the country would be bursting at the seams if they could just get their people to attend all the services.

Every pastor will tell you that it is a difficult thing to get ALL IN ONE ACCORD, IN ONE PLACE.

But the Bible says the early church was able to achieve BOTH OF THESE. Wow! I am impressed!

Illus: (humor) Did YOU KNOW THEY HAD HONDA CARS BACK THEN? Sure they did, the Bible says they were all in “One Accord.”

This was an amazing church. Never has there been a church that can surpass this church in greatness when it comes to a church being controlled by the Holy Spirit of God. Some may disagree with that statement, but I challenge them to show me otherwise.

Illus: Some may say, “What about some of these Mega churches that we see on television, where thousands and thousand attend! Isn’t this a sign that THESE CHURCHES ARE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT?”

Not necessarily! I do not want to be a “party-pooper”, but many times the fact that these large mega churches are filled with thousands has nothing to do with being filled with the Holy Spirit. It has to do with:

• A good location

• Beautiful buildings

• Programs

• Entertainment (Singing)

• Large budgets where they spend millions to promote their churches through radio and television

When you have these kinds of things, you ought to be able to draw a crowd. The early church had none of these things, yet they reached a level of greatness no church has ever been able to achieve.

No church since then has been able to equal it or even come close to the level of greatness they reached. For example, this church-

• Had some of the greatest anointed preachers that any church has ever had. (Acts 2:14 & 4:8)

• Had some of the greatest Spirit-fil¬led deacons that any church has ever had. Acts 6:5, "...and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus., and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas. and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch.”

• Had some of the greatest givers that any church has ever had. Acts 4:34, "...for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold."

• Had some of the greatest prayer-warriors that any church has ever had. Acts 4:31, "And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together..."

• Had some of the greatest worshippers that any church has ever had. Acts 4:24, "And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said. Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is."

• Had the greatest numerical growth that any church has ever had. Acts 2:41, "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls."