Reading: Acts chapter 2 verses 42-47.
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.
• So after much thought he ended up translating the words of Jesus this way:
• "Upon this rock I will build my congregation".
The church of Jesus Christ is a body of people:
• Who have been separated from the crowd,
• And separated for a specific purpose.
Quote W.E. Vine explains the meaning of the word translated as 'Church’ – ‘Ekklesia':
"The term has two applications:
(A). The whole company of the redeemed through out this present era.
(B). A company consisting of professed believers in a local setting".
In other words:
• We can think of the church;
• In a universal sense & in a local sense.
(1). The Universal Church:
• Is a world wide living organism:
• Made up of any person; who truly trusts Christ as their saviour.
• Regardless of denomination or label, that they choose to attach to themselves.
• It consists of every single believer:
• Whether they have been saved for 20 years or 20 minutes.
• Whether Very religious or totally opposed to religion when converted.
• Whether you are a Anglican from Africa,
• Or a Methodist from Malawi.
• Whether a Baptist from Bangladesh,
• Or a Pentecostal from Peru.
• If you are a true believer in Jesus Christ,
• You are automatically now part of his Church.
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 precious word.
• So if you are a true believer in Jesus Christ,
• You are automatically now part of his universal Church.
(2). Local Church.
• Now when it comes to the 'church':
• One aspect is automatic and the other aspect is voluntary.
ill:
• At your birth.
• You automatically entered into the human race.
• You have no say in it, it was your parents choice or an accident!
• As a result you automatically became part of humanity.
In the same way:
• When you were 'born again',
• You automatically entered into God's family.
• You become an automatic part,
• Of the church universal (you have no say in it).
ill:
• After a baby has been born and the time comes for mother & child to leave hospital:
• The child is taken to a local residence.
• So that it can grow & develop & mature.
Now in the spiritual realm that illustration breaks down about there:
• A human baby has no choice in being part of a local family.
• It has no choice in who its brothers & sisters will be.
• Those choices are made for it by others;
• It parents or its appointed guardians.
But note the difference - a spiritual baby (a new Christian):
• Has to make that choice for themselves,
• It's a voluntary decision to have to attach yourself to a local congregation.
• And you need to make that decision for your own good,
• And for the good of the other Christians in that fellowship.
• In the Bible there is no such thing as a lone ranger!
• (Even he had Tonto!)
Now having emphasised the need to join a local Church:
• The next question, which is our topic this morning is:
• Which is the right Church for the new Christian to join?
• Answer that question;
• By looking at some qualities found in Acts chapter 2 verses 42-47.
Reading: Acts chapter 2 verses 42-47.
• The “They” in verse 42 refers to people who had just come to faith in Jesus Christ.
• They were New Christians.
• In fact they were the only Christians.
• This is the very first Church (cradle is still rocking) both universal & local.
• They did not choose it other another type of Church because there was no choice available.
• This was the only one on offer!
Note:
• This Church is what everything else has come out of;
• I believe there are qualities we should note & look for when choosing a local Church fellowship.
(1). Teaching. (verse 42).
"They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching".
• First quality to look for is learning:
• “They were devoted to the apostle’s 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.
• All Christians need to listen to, read and study the Bible!
• This is as essential to the soul as food is to the body!
Five reasons why teaching and preaching is important:
(1). IT GIVES SUBSTANCE TO OUR FAITH.
Ill:
• Parachute jump.
• 3,500ft in the air.
• Now I did not ask Fred down the road his advice.
• I went to the expert.
• I wanted solid content,
• Information that would save my life and make the experience enjoyable.
Faith like my parachute jump is not blind:
• It is rooted in knowledge. It is sourced in substance.
• That knowledge and substance come from teaching as we feed on his word.
(2). IT STABILIZES US IN TIMES OF TESTING.
Ill:
Stabilizers on a bike (stops us falling over).
• Our feelings fluctuate,
• Our moods change, they very and altar.
• Our circumstances are often changing.
• Yet the word of God stabilizers us through changing times.
(3). 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.
(4). IT MAKES US CONFIDENT IN OUR WALK.
Ill:
• I can paint a house inside & out (I’ve been trained, therefore I am confident).
• Electricity (I keep away from it, 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).
(5). 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.
Question: What is the right Church for the new Christian to join
Answer 1: A Church that teaches the Bible.
• Information – so that we learn.
• Practical teaching – so that we can apply it.
(2). Fellowship. (verse 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!
Question: What is the right Church for the new Christian to join
Answer 2: A Church that expresses fellowship or love.
The Church should be a place:
• Where I am welcomed.
• Where I am valued.
• Where I find friendship (ill: family)
• Where I want to go i.e. “everyday” Church was a pleasure not a burden!
(3). The breaking of bread. (verse 46):
"Everyday they continued to meet together in the temple courts.
They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad & sincere hearts"
These young Christians ate meals together frequently:
• "Everyday" tells us that;
• They enjoyed each others company.
• They also enjoyed the company of the Lord:
• Because they 'Broke bread', from house to house.
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":
• Breaking Bread, Communion etc is not our idea,
• It is his!
• Later on in the book of Acts we are told;
• That the first Christians were meeting on the first day of the week for Communion.
Now don’t get side tracked:
• By how often or by what way;
• i.e. full service or 15 mins, 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!
Question: What is the right Church for the new Christian to join
Answer 3: A Church that regularly Breaking Bread or holds Communion.
(4). Prayer & praise.
• Their get together were marked by prayer & praise:
• Verse 42: mentions “Prayer” & verse 47 talks about that "Praising God".
ill:
The early Christians prayed.
• Almost every thing in the book of Acts begins and ends with prayer.
• In fact 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!
Question: What is the right Church for the new Christian to join
Answer 4: A Church that emphasises and has regularly has times of prayer.
In Summary: The formula God gave to the early church is simple:
• Teaching.
• Breaking of bread
• Prayer.
• Fellowship or friendship.
• Evangelism. Ill: old farmer joke.
• Service. Ill: put more in get more out joke
