HOW to FIT IN at CHURCH
Acts 2:42-47, Others
INTRODUCTION… How to Fit in at Almost Any Church (www.bluefishtv.com) (02:29)
I. DEFINITION OF COMMUNITY
(all definitions and such: Horton, Paul. Sociology. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1972. pgs 437-438)
I would like to begin this morning with the definition of the word community. A community is “a local grouping within which people carry out a full round of life activities.”
A community includes:
(1) a grouping of people
(2) within a geographical area
(3) with a division of labor into specialized and interdependent functions
(4) with a common culture and a social system that organizes their activities
(5) whose members are conscious of their unity and of belonging to the community
(6) who can act collectively in an organized manner
For it to qualify, its members must be able to experience all or nearly all aspects of the culture within its boundaries. I submit to you this morning that our church is such a community. We meet those qualifications as set out by sociologists. Don’t take my word for it. The Bible describes the church in this way. The New Testament describes the church and uses the term “the Body of Christ” over and over and says many of the same things that a sociologist might say in describing a community.
1 Corinthians 12:12-14, 18-19 says, “The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body-- whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free-- and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. 18 But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body.”
The Apostle Paul describes a group of people coming together for a common purpose. Our faith Jesus Christ is what binds us together as a church. The Holy Spirit joins us together in unity. Each of us has many different backgrounds, but we were all given the same Spirit and we all worship the same God. This binds you to the person sitting next to you. It binds you to the person in front of you and behind you. We here today form one body.
Ephesians 4:11-13 also says, “It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”
The sociologist would say there needs to be specialized people and division of labor and some people with differing functions. Ephesians tells us the same thing! There are those among us who are pastors and teachers. There are also servants and musicians and those that can work with their hands. There are those that can sing and those we wish would not. And yet, all of us are preparing ourselves for works of service dedicated to God. We all are unified in our desire to become mature in Jesus Christ and have a fruitful walk with Him. There are many other passages that speak of differing jobs for different parts of the Body of Christ. Each of us is needed to complete the Body here at this church.
Colossians 3:12-15 tells us plainly, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”
As a community, as the Body of Christ, we are chosen by God to be His. That is amazing! We commit ourselves to a common community of compassion and kindness and humility and gentleness and patience. We want to create a community here that is one of forgiveness. We want to create a community here that helps people to find Jesus so that He rules in their hearts!
I hope you see that a church is indeed a community that is bound by faith, hope, and love. I hope you see that we are indeed a community of people seeking after Jesus Christ and are here for a common purpose. My question for us this morning is a simple one, but I want to ask it in several different ways so that we all can ask it of ourselves:
“How do you fit in at church?”
“Do you feel a part of our church?” [expand upon]
“Are you part of the Body of Christ?”
“Are you an active part of the community?” [expand upon]
II. OUR COMMUNITY BASICS
Now that we have asked the important questions, let’s take a look at the basics of our community. Because of the kind of church you are in, we look back at the early church to pattern ourselves. What were the first Christians about? What did they find important? What was their community like? Answering those questions will help us understand the basics of our community today.
Acts 2:42-47 describes the early church by recording, “42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he 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.”
I want you to notice in verse 42 the four primary emphases that early Christians made. I’d like us to take a few moments and look at our church in view of what the early church was doing. Now I will not highlight absolutely everything that our church does, but I hope you will take a look at the special bulletin that was printed for today and see the full range of programs, times, and details.
First, we find that the church was definitely involved in understanding the “Apostle’s teaching.” You see, the New Testament was not yet in print or available to all, so the source about Jesus, His teachings, His life, and testimony about who He was and is came from those who walked and talked with Jesus… the Apostles. They were His witnesses (Matthew 10:18, Acts 1:8, 2:32). Verse 42 tells us that the people were very persistent and steadfast in learning about Jesus. So it should be with us. We do not have the Apostles in person, but we have the Holy Bible… the complete inerrant inspired Word of God that communicates everything we need to know about Jesus Christ.
Are you steadfast and devoted to God’s Word? How would you do that here in our community?
* Regular attendance at church services – I not sure how to stress this enough, but when it comes to Sunday morning, you need to be here… consistently, weekly, on time. I want you to notice in verse 46 that the early church met daily to encourage one another and to live out their Christian faith. They were so devoted to learning about Christ that they wanted more and more each day! By being here weekly, you allow through the sermon, for God’s word to affect you. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” Yet that can’t happen if you aren’t here!
* Sunday School & Wednesday Night Studies – the whole purpose for Sunday School is to dig deeper into God’s word with a smaller group of people so that you have the opportunity to ask questions and process what you are reading and hearing. Regularly attending Sunday School will help lay a good foundation of understanding God’s Word so that when you read His Word regularly on your own, you are able to understand. The studies offered on Wednesday Nights are the same… they help you dig deeper into God’s word.
* LOGOS Teams – We have a home Bible Study program here that is called LOGOS Teams. If you did not know it, LOGOS, is the Greek word for “Word.” LOGOS teams are all about studying God’s Word in a very intimate and personal setting of a home, which the early church certainly did (verse 46). It is another opportunity to study God’s Word and look at special studies and topics.
Second, we find that the church was steadfastly involved in cultivating “fellowship.” What is fellowship? Now to answer that, I want us to look at the word that is used in Acts 2:42 to help us understand what fellowship is all about. The word used is koinwni,a, (coin-oh-knee-ah). It is a word that means “a relationship by sharing in common” and “participation together that leads to identity.” I see in Acts 2 that these Christians spent a great deal of time together. I want you to notice as well that Acts 2:41 tells us, “Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.” This huge group of new believers had to develop their faith and develop their identity in Christ together… and they did so by sharing time together in common.
Are you applying yourself and spending time with other Christians? How would you do that here in our community?
* Christian Men’s Fellowship & Christian Women’s Fellowship - I hope it is quite obvious based on the title of these groups that fellowship is implied in what they do. CMF and CWF have monthly meetings that are geared towards meeting others, spending time together, sometimes studying Scripture together, serving together, and supporting one another.
* Fitness Fellowship – We also have a unique opportunity for you to participate with others in a physically beneficial way. We have Men’s Basketball on Sundays for those 16 and older. We play basketball for an hour or so and it is a great time of being together. There is Tuesday/Thursday Fitness for women where they walk off the pounds. Also, our church softball team would love to have you join us if you are physically able to participate in competitive sports. All three of these are great activities to participate together.
Third, in Acts 2:42 we find that the church was steadfastly devoted to “breaking of bread.” What is this talking about? Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper (Luke 22:19, 1 Corinthians 11:24-25) as a way to remember Him and His sacrifice on the cross. The early church (Acts 2:42, 46) celebrated communion as often as they met together… which for them was daily. This is why you will find that we celebrate the Lord’s Supper weekly at our church… the early church celebrated communion whenever they got together… and we gather weekly so we celebrate it weekly as well. As I look at this passage, I see them also teaching others what it meant to be a Christian through what we would call an “ordinance.” To be part of the church, you participated in this ordinance and it brought you into community. We celebrate communion, but there are other similar ordinances and important practices that would help identify you with our community.
Are you participating in these important religious activities and decisions? What decisions may you need to make to be part of our community? How would you do that here in our community?
* Baptism – The first ordinance I thought of was baptism. Certainly the book of Acts makes it plain that when one confesses Jesus Christ as Lord and desires to be part of the Body of Christ, baptism is a part. Our church believes that baptism is part of the salvation process. Acts 2:38 says plainly, “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.” Baptism marks you as part of the Body of Christ. Do you need to take a step of faith and be immersed in baptism? Perhaps you feel you are on the outside of our community. Remember, what binds us together is our faith in Jesus Christ and part of becoming a Christian is baptism. Do you have a decision to make?
* Church Membership – Perhaps you have already been immersed but are looking for a church to be a part of? Placing your membership at our church is a way to make a commitment to yourself, God, and us that you will become part of the Body of Christ here. Placing membership is a way to identify with us here and to state that you will become an active part of our church. Church membership does not mean you join and then do nothing! Do you need to place your membership? Do you need to make a commitment to be a part of our church?
* Tithing – Tithing is giving God 10% of your income. Abraham did it (Genesis 14:20). All Israel was commanded to do it (Leviticus 27:30-32). God felt cheated and robbed when Israel didn’t do it (Malachi 3:8). The Apostle Paul instructed Christians to give as part of their spiritual walk (1 Corinthians 16:1-2). Simply put, we spend our money on the things that are important to us and tithing your money shows that you believe in what the church is doing and you wish to fund it. Being part of the community means you help shoulder the financial burden of the Body. Do you tithe?
* Worship – Psalm 95:6-7 says, “Come, let us bow down in worship let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; 7 for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.” Psalm 100:2 tells us, “Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” I hope that when you come here on Sunday that you are prepared to worship God! I hope you come ready to sing. I hope you come prepared to pray to Him. I hope you come desiring to be a part of a worship service with other Christians. One of the reasons we gather on Sundays is to praise and worship Him… do you do that while here?
Fourth, in Acts 2:42 we find that the church was steadfastly devoted to “prayer.” Prayer is the life of any church. Jesus is recorded (Matthew 21:13, Mark 11:17, Luke 19:46) as saying that, “My house will be a house of prayer.” I hope that we all have a desire that our church would be a community that prays. I want you to know that the Elders of the church pray together. I want you to know that the staff of the church prays together. What opportunities do you have to join in the prayer life of the church?
* Prayer LOGOS Team - The Prayer LOGOS team is designed to be a prayer meeting. We do not sit around for an hour talking about requests, we spend an hour in prayer. This LOGOS team will increase your prayer life, teach you about prayer, help you become comfortable with prayer in public, and will benefit many because we are praying for them.
* Prayer Chain – All throughout the week people call the church and ask for prayer. We have an email prayer chain and a telephone prayer chain. This allows us to ‘get the prayer out!’ This is a way for all of us to prayer together for the needs of our congregation. It is a way for us to be connected with each other in praying for each other.
* 3rd Thursday Visitation – You might wonder why I have the visitation here under prayer. I have it here because the dear woman in charge of this ministry is a prayer warrior and I know she prays to meet the needs of the people they visit and they pray with them and for them.
Fifth and last, there are areas of the church that are important to the life of the church that do not fit into any of the other categories and most of them have to do with areas to serve in. The Body of Christ here at New Beginnings is growing and growing and so we always have opportunities for you to serve. I want you to remember that in 1 Corinthians 12:12 the Apostle Paul tells us, “The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body.” Each of us has a gift to contribute to the community here at the church. I want to make a particular point that I hope you listen to. If indeed the church is the Body of Christ, what will happen to it if some of the parts of the Body do not work? What happens? What happens in your body when your leg ceases to function or your eye is blinded? You are disabled and are unable to do the things that you need to do. It is the same with the church! You are part of the community and if you are not serving and participating in our community, we are disabled in many ways and cannot fulfill all that God has for us!
* Choir & Singing Special Music [expand upon if time]
* Leading Worship w/ Instruments [expand upon if time]
* Homeless Ministry [expand upon if time]
* Church Work Days [expand upon if time]
* Missions Committee [expand upon if time]
* Children or Youth Leader [expand upon if time]
* Greeting Ministry [expand upon if time]
CONCLUSION
I asked you some important questions earlier about fitting in with our community. I asked you…
“How do you fit in at church?”
“Do you feel a part of our church?”
“Are you part of the Body of Christ?”
“Are you an active part of the community?”
The answer to these questions is that you become an active part of our church. The answer to these questions is that you begin to serve consistently in our fellowship. The answer is that you do not allow yourself to simply come to church on Sundays and then leave… participate and be more involved than that! Use your gifts for Him. Be active in the church.
CHALLENGE:
> Make a first time commitment to Jesus Christ and join our church
> Place your membership here and become an ACTIVE part
> Read over your special bulletin and ensure you are participating in at least one item in each section
And the result is not only for ourselves and a deeper relationship with Christ, but Acts 2:47 tells us, “And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” And folks, in the end, that is why we are here.
