“The Ideal Church”
August 19, 2012
Acts 4:32-35
“All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all, that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.”
Did you hear about the guy who found the perfect church? They had the perfect pastor. They had the perfect church board. They had the perfect Sunday school superintendent and perfect teachers with perfect students. Unfortunately, when he tried to join them he couldn’t! He wasn’t perfect!
Of course that’s just a story – because we know there is no perfect church; there is no perfect pastor and no perfect teacher. We all, at our very best, fall far short of perfection – at least perfection of acts. Although, we can have a perfect heart – which means it is our hearts desire to do and say everything perfectly. Of course we will not achieve that goal – but that should be our desire. Our aim should be for perfection, 2 Corinthians 13:11 says. That is what we should strive for. This early New Testament Church seems to have come about as close as you can get to being a perfect church. Look at some of their characteristics.
1. They were all in one accord. They were united in heart and mind. That’s pretty amazing. How many organizations have you been a part of that could say that? How many families could say that? We usually have to agree to disagree. But their thoughts and intents were all united. WOW! That’s pretty unusual.
2. They all shared equally all their possessions. Do you realize what this is saying? It is saying that they gave up their individual houses and businesses and each one had an equal share. Talk about socialism or communism – this is it at its very best. Each individual sacrificed for the good of the whole. Sounds pretty good doesn’t it? But this wasn’t socialism or communism. It appears to be a theocracy. God was in control. The apostles were continuing to spread the Word that Jesus had died for our sins and had come back to life again and God’s grace – God’s enabling power - was so powerfully at work within them that there was no needy person among them. From time to time someone would bring the money from selling their home or their land and lay it at the apostle’s feet in a wonderful act of sacrifice and faith. Then the Apostles would have it given to those who had a need. Notice the great faith they had. Notice the great love they had for one another. They certainly seemed to believe that Jesus was going to be coming back soon. It wouldn’t be so hard to be so sacrificial if you believed Jesus was coming back in a few months.
Doesn’t everything seem ideal and perfect in this church? Wouldn’t you like to belong to a church like this? Everyone giving their all for one another? Everyone living without worry about a need? Sure seems perfect, doesn’t it.
It would be like Harold and Dean and us and Tina and Leon just cashing in our homes and giving it to the church. Sounds pretty good doesn’t it – especially if you don’t have lands or property. Especially if you didn’t have to sacrifice and scrape to come up with the down payment.
But not so fast! Things were not as ideal as they seemed. Skip ahead a little bit. You will see that some gave out of pride. Ananias and Sapphira were struck dead because of it. They said they gave all -when in reality they kept a little bit for themselves. They lied about it and God struck them dead. Seems pretty sever for lying, doesn’t it? But you don’t lie to God. God knows. And you will reap the punishment for lying. But check out what happened next.
“In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.” Acts 6:1
There were some people getting overlooked. There was complaining going on. As the food was being divided up, some people were being overlooked. They were going hungry. That doesn’t seem so ideal – does it? Some people were disgruntled and unhappy – even in this Apostle led church. I guess as long as we live in enemy territory on planet Earth – we are going to have problems. As long as we have these selfish bodies and limited minds – we are going to have problems. It is very unrealistic to think that we won’t. The challenge is to solve the problems as they come up – and that’s what they did. The apostles organized the first church board. There was no perfect church with perfect people. So they organized a group of godly, Spirit filled men, to lead the church and solve problems as they came up. And that is kind of what the job of the church board is. It is to solve problems as they come up and to lead the church into holiness and Christlikeness and ministry. Our church board states this in our mission statement. It says, “The Purpose of the Mount Shasta Church of the Nazarene is to bring Christ to the Community.” And the word Christ is an acrostic. It stands for,
”C – Church purpose is: H – Help others come to Christ; R – Rejoice in worship; I – Inspire & encourage in fellowship; S – Serve and equip to minister
T – Teach Christlikeness.”
The early Church didn’t break their mission down like this, but as we studied the church, these are the five things they did. This is what the church is all about. But as we realize that this is the Master’s business; this is what the church is about – there is something else we need to realize. We need to have a relationship with each other where this is most likely to occur. I want to share with you some things that will make it more likely that we will achieve this goal.
First of all, Problem Solving. The first Church board was formed to solve problems. The first Spirit-filled, Apostle led church had problems. Is it realistic to think we won’t? I don’t think so. The biggest problem is when a church doesn’t deal with problems. They kind of hope they will just go away. That is not realistic and when you have unrealistic expectations – they lead to frustration. And frustration that is not dealt with will lead to anger and bitterness. So the early church was a problem solving organization. We need to be, too. Let’s look at some suggestions the Bible gives us for solving problems – and, as John Maxell says, problems in a church usually means people.
“If your brother or sister sins go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.” Matthew 18:15-17
“Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.” Galatians 6:1
Notice that if you think a brother or sister is sinning or has a fault, you are to go to them one on one. Sometimes what appears to be sin is just a misunderstanding or a matter of becoming informed or a matter of spiritual growth. It’s kind of intimidating for someone to come to you with a group or even with another individual. That should be reserved for a last resort. But notice when you go to an individual you are to go gently, humbly – watching yourself. Nothing turns people away like a condescending, judgmental, arrogant spirit. We should always have a gentle and loving spirit when we confront someone. If you go harshly – you are asking for conflict. The easy way is to avoid. The easy way is to ignore. The easy way is to hope the problem goes away on its own. But problems seldom do. We have a command to go to that brother or sister and communicate our concerns. But it must always be done gently and lovingly.
Then the manner in which we speak is important. The Bible says,
“To answer before listening - that is folly and shame.” Prov 18:13
Many problems can be solved just by listening to someone else’s perspective. But in our culture, it is normal to not let the other person finish speaking. We think we have to interrupt before we forget what we have to say. We have to get OUR opinion in. We see it on TV all the time. People rudely interrupting one another. It drives me crazy! We need to stop doing that. When someone continually interrupts us it causes frustration and frustration leads to anger. Besides, no one is going to be persuaded to change their viewpoint that way. We need to, not only be gentle, but to be patient and gracious as well. The Bible says,
“Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.” Prov 25:15
A gentle tongue is often more effective than a loud demanding tongue. I remember Mrs. G. B. Williamson, my speech professor in college, telling me that if I wanted to be heard – I needed to whisper. Someone is more likely to respond to your advice or instruction if you speak gently. They are likely to reject you and your words if you speak to them angrily, loudly, and condescendingly. Proverbs says,
“The wise are known for their understanding, and pleasant words are persuasive.”
“Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.” Proverbs 16:21; 24
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Prov 15:1
You are more likely to achieve your desired result if you speak pleasantly and sweetly. Correction always needs to be done in this loving, gentle spirit.
Then we need to check to see if we are building up or tearing down. Jesus always met people at their area of need. People always benefitted when He spoke. The same needs to be said of us.
Ephesians 4:29 says, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
We need to determine that destructive, unwholesome words are never going to come out of our mouths. Only those things that help and meet people’s needs and benefit them will come out of our mouths. That isn’t easy. It is only possible through the power of the Holy Spirit.
But suppose we have gone to someone in love and gently spoken with them. We tried to be helpful and encouraging and correcting – but they would have none of it. Jesus said,
“If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.”
Matthew 18:17
Paul said, “Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them.” Titus 3:10
There are obviously times, for the good of the body, that people need to go. Jesus said “if they refuse to listen”. Paul said, “if they are divisive.” Sometimes to grow, people need to go. Sometimes to receive God’s blessing – the sin has to be removed from the camp. May God help us to do that always gently and in love. God is not willing that any should perish. Jesus died for the whole world. But it is only the willing and obedient that eat the good of the land (Is. 1:19); it is only the willing the Jesus enfolds in His arms and gives shelter and rest (Matt. 11:28). It is only the willing that remain in fellowship.
My desire is that our church is a church of love and kindness; a church known for how we love one another. My desire is that our church is a ‘safe’ church and everyone who comes to us feels safe from accusation, judgmentalism, and safe from strife. Problems are going to arise – but with God’s help we will deal with it. And with God’s help - blessings are going to fall. Our best days are ahead of us. With God’s help – we are going to reach our community for Christ.
