Reading: Acts chapter 2 verses 42-47.
Ill:
• The Times Online newspaper (August 4, 2007)
• Walking to the shops ‘damages the planet more than going by car’
• Food production is now so energy-intensive
• That more carbon is emitted providing a person with enough calories to walk to the shops
• Than a car would emit over the same distance.
• The climate could benefit if people avoided exercise,
• Ate less and became couch potatoes.
The sums were done by Chris Goodall,
• Campaigning author of How to Live a Low-Carbon Life,
• Based on the greenhouse gases created by intensive beef production.
• “Driving a typical UK car for 3 miles [4.8km]
• Adds about 0.9 kg [2lb] of CO2 to the atmosphere,”
• He said, a calculation based on the Government’s official fuel emission figures.
• “If you walked instead, it would use about 180 calories.
• You’d need about 100g of beef to replace those calories,
• Resulting in 3.6kg of emissions, or four times as much as driving.
• Campaigner Chris Goodall might believe;
• Walking might damage the planet, but walking is an illustration often used in the Bible.
Note: A walk is a good picture to compare the Christian life to:
(1). It demands life.
• Dead people cannot walk.
• It is an activity of the living.
• We talk in terms of ‘good and bad people’,
• The Bible talks in terms of people being ‘dead and alive’.
• The Bible makes it very clear that you are either spiritually dead in your sins,
• Or you are spiritually alive in Jesus Christ!
(2). It requires growth.
Ill:
• Our kids (Elle on Wednesday) grew from sitting to wobbling, to crawling to walking.
• Walking is a sign that a baby is physically growing.
• As Christians we ought to be spiritually growing in our faith,
• We should be growing UP in our faith and not just growing OLD!
• Not the number of years you’ve been a Christian that’s important,
• But are you maturing in your faith, growing more like Jesus?
(3). It requires freedom.
• Ill: remember as kids doing the three legged-race;
• It normally ended up with you and your partner falling over.
• It is a reminder that someone who is tied up and bound cannot walk.
• Walking requires freedom.
As Christians we can tie ourselves up with all sorts of things.
• Some Christians are bound by sinful habits and a sinful lifestyles.
• Ill: Play with fire and you get your fingers burnt.
• Some Christians are involved in things that may not be wrong or even sinful,
• But they may still prevent us progressing in the Christian life.
• Quote: “Often the good is the enemy of the best”.
(4). It demands light.
• No-one walks (ill: goes for a hike) in the dark,
• Darkness limits your vision and could cause you to encounter danger.
• As Christians we are told to “walk in the light”
• Otherwise we too will stumble!
(5). It cannot be hidden.
Ill:
• Tele-Tubbies, because of the rain Dipsy decided to walking around the house.
• Normal people walk out and about where they will encounter people and things.
• Jesus called us; “The light of the world”, not “The light of the church”.
• We have to live out our faith in the world in which we live.
(6). It suggests progress.
• We walk to achieve something,
• It is purposeful.
• E.g. It gets us from A to B.
• E.g. Or it brings us pleasure as we enjoy a walk in the countryside.
• Our lives should be purposeful:
• Ill: Chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy him for ever.
THE TITLE GIVEN ME TOM SPEAK ONTO TONIGHT IS ‘HOW TO WALK’.
• Not physical activity but spiritual activity;
• And I have been asked to speak on three areas of our walk with God.
(1). Church.
Ill:
Did you know that Church could save your life!
• Do NOT ride in cars: they cause 20% of all fatal accidents.
• Do NOT stay home: 17% of all accidents occur in the home.
• Do NOT walk on the streets or pavements: 14% of all accidents happen to pedestrians.
• Do NOT travel by air, rail, or water: 16% of all accidents happen on these.
• However, only ‘point 001% of all deaths occur in church worship services,
• And all of these deaths are related to previous physical disorders.
• THEREFORE, the safest place for you to be at any time is in church!
Ill:
Sign on a Church notice board.
• When you were born, your mother brought you to church.
• When you were married, your wife brought you to church.
• When you die, your friends will bring you to church.
• Why not try coming to church on your own sometime’
When a person decides to follow Jesus as their Saviour and Lord:
• Church will automatically take on a new significance.
• So much so that I would say it is impossible to follow Jesus and not be part of a Church.
• Because the word Church is never used for a building,
• It always means a collection of people.
• If you are a Christian, you never go to church;
• You are the church!
ill:
• The very first translation of the New Testament from Greek into English:
• Was by William Tyndale in 1526,
• But Tyndale had a translation problem over the Matthew chapter 16 verse 18:
• "Upon this rock I will build my Church".
• Because he did not want people to think that the living church of Jesus Christ:
• Was an institution, the accepted religious establishment of his day.
• So after much thought he ended up translating the words of Jesus this way:
• "Upon this rock I will build my congregation".
• As a Christian you never technically (biblically) go to Church;
• Because you are the Church or part of it!
Quote: It has been pointed out that in the early days of Christianity there were:
• Congregations of believers, but no "Congregationalists!"
• There were baptized believers, but no "Baptists!"
• There were presbyters in the assembly, but no "Presbyterians!"
• They had method in their meeting, but there were no "Methodists!"
• They had bishops in the church, but there were no "Anglicans!"
• They trembled at the word, but there were no "Quakers!"
• They all shared in the blessings of Pentecost, but there were no "Pentecostalists!"
• The brethren had all been united to Christ, but there were no "United Brethren!"
• They simply met as Christians, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ,
• And were obedient to His revealed word.
So if you are a true believer in Jesus Christ:
• You are automatically now part of his universal Church.
• Yet every Christian has to decide to attach themselves to a local congregation.
• This is not an optional extra!
• It is a clear biblical principle!
• And they need to make that decision for their own good,
• And for the good of the other Christians in that fellowship.
Ill:
• In the Bible there is no such thing as a lone ranger!
• (And anyway even he had Tonto!)
Church is essential for a number of reasons:
(1). LEARNING TOGETHER - TEACHING. (VERSE 42).
"They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching".
Question: Why do you suppose teaching is the 1st item listed in the order of activities?
Answer:
• Because no matter you are in your spiritual development,
• A new Christian or a seasoned veteran.
• Everyone needs sustenance to grow and to keep on, keep on growing.
• Ill: Babies need milk; Ill: adults need meat - the Bible supplies both.
• We will come back to this element in a minute.
• Don’t miss the point wherever you are in your spiritual development, you need teaching!
(2). SHARING TOGETHER - FELLOWSHIP (VS 44 TO 45):
"All the believers were together and had everything in common".
• Please note the word ’all’.
• It’s used twice in verse 44 again in verse 45.
Of course no one was forced to gather with the other Christians:
• But the opportunities were available,
• For anyone who wanted to participate.
ill:
Acts chapter 20 verse 4-6:
• 8 men from all walks of life.
• Dr Luke. (intellectual).
• Sopater, son of Pyrrhus. (nobility).
• Timothy. (half breed, m-j, f-g).
• Paul. (the great apostle).
• My favourite Secondus (2nd, slave).
ill:
• Romans 16 - Terius (3) wrote epistle / sent his greetings.
• Quartus (4) our brother / not slave.
Note:
• Paul was in the habit of regular times of fellowship with other believers:
• Acts chapter 17 verse 2: “As was his custom”
• Jesus in the habit of regular times of fellowship with other believers:
• Luke chapter 4 verse 16: “As was his custom”
• Just as bad habits shape our lives negatively;
• Good habits shape our lives positively!
• Bad habits stick with us and so often spoil our lives.
• Good habits also affect us by contributing to our lives!
Ill: Talking of bad habits I did hear the story of:
• Mrs Smith was so happy; “I’ve cured my husband of biting his nails”
• I replied; “How did you manage to do that”
• “Simple” she answered;
• “Every morning I hide his teeth”.
Don’t forget:
• Just as bad habits shape our lives negatively;
• Good habits shape our lives positively!
Get into the habit (if you are not already):
• Of meeting with God’s people as regularly as you can!
• Inside and outside of the building (Church is more than a building, place of friendships)
• Ill: Many Churches have house groups,
• They develop relationships so much better than a quick hello and handshake on the way out!
• Ill: I was told that the New Wine Churches push these more than Sunday meetings;
• Recognised the importance of building relationships with people!
The New Testament gives very clear reasons why Church is important:
• (1). Learning together – Bible teaching.
• (2). Living together – fellowship.
• (3). Praying together – come back to that in a moment.
• (4). Sharing together – meeting needs practically & emotionally.
• (5). Working together – we are a body.
• Quote: Ephesians chapter 4 vs 16:
“The whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as EACH part does its work.
• (6). Giving together – financial support is the responsibility of all believers.
• Every Christian is expected to give financially (no exceptions!)
• Ill: Man being baptised and he remembered his wallet.
• (7). Worshipping together - The breaking of bread. (vs 46):
"Everyday they continued to meet together in the temple courts.
They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad & sincere hearts"
Ill:
• Breaking Bread, Communion, The Lord’s Supper, The Lord’s table.
• Different Churches call it by different names – good reasons for that!
• The important principle is this – do it!
• Breaking Bread, Communion etc is not an optional extra – it is a command!
Jesus asked his disciples to "Remember me":
• Now don’t get side tracked by how often or by what way;
• i.e. full service or 15 mins, i.e. whether it’s little cups or one big one!
• These are the practicalities, they are flexible and changeable!
• The important principle is to do it! To remember Jesus this way!
(2). Prayer.
• The get together of these first Christians was marked by prayer & praise:
• Verse 42: mentions “Prayer” & verse 47 talks about that "Praising God".
ill:
The early Christians prayed.
• In fact almost every thing in the book of Acts begins and ends with prayer.
• The phrase "they prayed" appears 48 times in the book of ACTS.
• The early believers recognized prayer as fundamental!
• Everything they did was bathed in prayer.
The Bible encourages and teaches both:
• Regular Church attendance (meeting with other Christians),
• And times of prayer (both individual & collective).
• Every Christian needs to spend time with each other;
• And time with God.
Ill:
• A navel wife not use to phone texting, sent a message to her Church asking them to pray:
• She thought she had typed the message;
“John Anderson, having gone to sea,
his wife desires the prayers of the congregation for his safety”.
When it was read out the first two commas were missing and the message read:
“John Anderson having gone to see his wife,
desires the prayers of the congregation for his safety”.
When we miss out on fellowship with other Christians (Church) and regular fellowship with God (prayer):
• Don’t be surprised if your life gets confused;
• And you start sending and receiving wrong messages!
Pause: Give a Challenge to the Church Leaders:
Ill:
• Live on a diet of boiled potatoes every day – (forgive the pun) fed up with them.
• Ill: Boil, roast, chip, sauté, jacket, mash etc.
• Most prayer meetings I go to are one dimensional, show little variation or imagination.
• And I am not surprised when people vote with their feet and don’t attend!
• There are a variety of ways to lead a collective prayer meeting;
• I believe variety is the spice of life!
• My challenge to the leaders of this Church are – be creative;
• To the members – support any changes!
Personnel level a helpful reminder of how to pray:
• Prayer is conversation not a formula;
• Yet sometimes a little method can help.
Ill:
• (1). When you fold your hands the thumb is nearest to you.
• So begin praying for those closet to you – your loved ones.
• (2). The index finger is the pointer.
• Pray for those who teach – preachers, Sunday school & youth leaders etc.
• (3). The next finger is the tallest.
• It reminds you to pray for those in authority over you.
• National & local leaders, our employees and Church leaders.
• (4). The fourth finger is usually the weakest.
• Pray for those who are hurting, suffering or in trouble.
• (5). Then comes your little finger.
• It reminds us of our smallness in relation to God’s greatness.
• Ask him to supply your needs.
Ill:
Acrostic - ACTS.
• A = Adoration (Praise & worship).
• C = Confession (sorry prayers).
• T = Thanksgiving.
• S = supplications (asking prayers - petitions and requests).
(3). The Bible.
• All Christians need to listen to, read and study the Bible!
• This is as essential to the soul as food is to the body!
The apostles considered the ministry of God’s Word to be of such primary importance:
• In fact, they thought it was so important that they delegated their other duties,
• So that they could focus only on teaching (see Acts 6:1-6).
• The demands of their fledgling ministry were great,
• But as important as those needs were, their primary task, was that of feeding the flock.
Six reasons or six benefits of consistent, biblical teaching:
(A). IT GIVES SUBSTANCE TO OUR FAITH.
Ill:
Parachute jump.
• I did not ask Fred down the road.
• I went to the expert.
• I based my experience on the solid knowledge of the expert.
• I would have not jumped without them.
If we are to become men & woman of faith:
• We need to know the expert, to know his mind and will for our lives.
• That knowledge comes through the Bible.
(B). IT STABILIZES US IN TIMES OF TESTING.
Ill:
Stabilizers on a bike (stops us falling over.
• Our feelings fluctuate,
• Our moods change, they vary and altar all the time.
• Our circumstances are constantly changing.
• Ill: Build on the rock you can handle the storms.
(C). IT ENABLES US TO HANDLE GODS WORD CORRECTLY.
Ill:
Chapters and verses are a blessing & a curse:
• Stephen Langton (1228a.d.) introduced chapter divisions Vulgate Bible.
• Robert Estienne a Paris printer introduced verse numbers in the Geneva Bible (1551).
• We were given 66 book s and letters.
• Not just chapter and verses.
• They are meant to be read as a whole,
• And understood in their overall context.
• Unless we study God’s word in its complete context,
• We can never really grasp its full meaning.
(D). IT EQUIPS US TO DETECT AND CONFRONT FALSE TEACHING.
Ill:
£20
• Cashier who handles money every day knew instantly it was a fake.
• Best way to tell a forgery, handle the real thing.
(E). IT MAKES US CONFIDENT IN OUR WALK.
Ill:
I preach Christ in many different situations.
• Confident that he is relevant to those people.
• Not hot air, but words of life.
Ill:
I can paint a house inside & out (trained, I’m confident).
Electricity (I keep away, or I am a nervous wreck).
The Bible enables us to handle any situation:
• It’s teaching prepares us, directs us and encourages us.
• Our confidence is not in ourselves but in the Lord (word bears witness of him).
(F). IT CALMS OUR FEARS AND CANCELS OUR SUPERSTITIONS.
Knowing the truth helps to remove fear:
• Those who are ignorant about death – fear death.
• Those who are ignorant about God – fear God.
• Those who are ignorant about superstition – fear for their sins.
Knowledge sets us free from fear and superstition.
• We don’t read our horoscopes. Our stars,
• Because we are trusting the God who made the stars.
Our faith:
• Is not vague or wily-nilly,
• But rests in a good, dependable knowable God.
So when it comes to the Bible – use it! 4 suggestions:
(a). Hear it!
• Go to Church.
• Buy it on CD (play it in the car etc).
(b). Read it!
• As you would any other book.
• Question: Have you read it from cover to cover?
(c). Study it!
Quote: Martin Luther.
• I study my Bible like I gather apples.
• First, I shake the whole tree that the ripest may fall.
• Then I shake each limb,
• and when I have shaken each limb, I shake each branch and every twig.
• Then I look under every leaf.
• I search the Bible as a whole like shaking the whole tree.
• Then I shake every limb—study book after book.
• Then I shake every branch, giving attention to the chapters.
• Then I shake every twig,
• or a careful study of the paragraphs and sentences and words and their meanings. “
(d). Memorise it!
• Lost art today.
• Ill: Help in witnessing & temptation.
