“First United Church”
Acts 4:32-35
With the advent of Social Media such as Twitter and Facebook we have seen people become especially emboldened to argue, curse and call one another names—all from behind their computer screens and smart phones.
It’s kind of like the phenomenon of how people can sometimes turn into “seemingly” vicious monsters when they are safely behind the wheel of a car.
One wrong move on your part and you are called every name in the book.
And if they pass you or you pass them, better be prepared for an angry face, a mouth spewing profanities and everything else.
And this is coming from a complete stranger who knows nothing about you.
If you were to meet at church or at a dinner party they might be the sweetest and most lovely person in the room.
You might become the best of friends.
It’s kind of comical, in a way, if you step back from it a bit.
But in other ways, it’s kind of sad.
With social media, for example, we can be really, really nasty.
It’s easier to demonize another person when you don’t have to look them in the eye or speak to them face-to-face.
The vitriol seems to be especially fierce when it comes to politics.
We make sweeping judgments about people based simply on who they voted for or their thoughts on a particular issue.
It’s really not fair.
And it’s not good for our health, our society, our own spiritual well-being.
One thing I have learned over the past few years, as the political divide has become more and more fierce, is that I love and respect people from both sides of the isle.
And there are great Christian disciples of every political and ideological stripe.
Some of my favorite people—many of the people I admire and respect the most probably voted for a different candidate than I in the last Presidential election.
I also have great respect for and wonderful friendships with people from other Christian denominations and churches.
Imagine that.
Every first and third Wednesday of the month, people from at least 6 different churches come together in our Family Life Center Building in order to run the East Ridge Community Food Pantry.
We begin each day with a pray.
We all have one goal in mind—to serve the Living Christ through serving others.
And yet, do we all believe the exact same things?
Certainly not.
Do we all stand in the same place on social and political issues?
I highly doubt it.
Do we love one another?
Do we love Jesus?
Do we love our neighbor?
I think we do, in imperfect ways, I know we do.
Are we making a positive difference for Christ in this community?
Yes.
Without a doubt.
And I think that this is the kind of thing that the writer of Acts saw in the first Christian Church when he wrote that “all the believers were one in heart and mind.”
We are told at the beginning of Acts Chapter 4 that the brand-new Church had grown to about 5,000 members, and we can only imagine the diversity of different ethnic backgrounds, ideological attitudes, and theological points of view that existed in that group.
`On the day of Pentecost, just a short time earlier--of the first 3,000 members of the Church--there were Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and parts of Libya near Cyrene, visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs.
Talk about a motley crew.
And yet, we are told that this diverse group of Jesus followers “testified [together] to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all.”
We are also told that “There were no needy persons among them.”
They had great unity in the midst of incredible diversity and amazing generosity in the midst of poverty.
It really is a miracle.
By giving Christ Lordship over all aspects of their lives they were providing a living sermon for the world.
And the church grew incredibly fast against all odds.
E. Stanley Jones once wrote: “In a divided world seeking unity, a divided Church not seeking unity has little or no moral authority.”
How true.
One of the great strengths of the United Methodist Church, in my opinion, has always been our diversity.
Sadly, we have a long way to go on the racial diversity front, but I’m talking about our diversity of opinions.
Republicans and Democrats are members of the same Church.
People who hold very different views on a large array of topics and positions sit on the same pew every Sunday morning, worshipping the same Lord and Savior.
John Wesley set a great example for us when he said:
“Though we cannot think alike, may we not love alike?
May we not be of one heart, though we are not of one opinion?
Without all doubt, we may.
Herein all the children of God may unite, notwithstanding these smaller differences.”
And the great strength and success of Billy Graham’s ministry was his ability to keep the truly important thing front and center.
Billy preached the Gospel, and united people from all denominations.
He never advocated for a particular church over another, but encouraged people to return to the churches from which they had come.
In a similar way, he didn’t pick sides politically.
Although, most people knew where he stood on the political spectrum, this did not stop him from treating each President with great love and respect.
And therefore, he was the spiritual leader for Democrats and Republicans alike.
His chief aim was to make disciples of Jesus Christ.
He did all he could not to allow any human systems or smaller matters get in the way of that mission.
We would do well to follow his example.
This is what makes Christianity attractive: “Look how they love one another!!!”
What turns the world off is when they see us and say: “Look how they fight amongst themselves.”
And we have done a very good job of this down through the centuries.
If it weren’t so, there would not be so many different denominations.
And on so many fronts, we continue to fight and divide.
Of course, this has been happening since the beginning.
Even though the early Church had a great concern for the poor, we are told that widows, a particularly vulnerable group within the community, were “being neglected in the daily distribution of food.”
And even though, in Acts Chapter 4, we are told about the great generosity of the Church, and especially of Joseph, whom the apostles lovingly named “Barnabas” in the very next Chapter we learn about a man and wife named Ananias and Sapphira who did not share like the rest and caused great problems for themselves and the community.
And later, the Apostle Paul wrote many letters to many different churches dealing with various problems within congregations.
But still, the church grew, despite our human and sinful tendencies.
Because it’s really not about us is it?
It’s about God.
And God will continue to do God’s will with or without the help of human beings.
But, oh, to be working with God within God’s will!!!
That is when life is full.
That is when we are on fire.
That is when we take off and fly.
I’ll never forget the quote from evangelist Arthur Blesset:
“I would rather die within the will of God than live outside of it.”
And it is God’s will that we—the believers live as “one in heart and mind,” sharing what we have, that there be no needy people among us, and that we “continue to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus.”
When people read Acts Chapter 4:32-35, they often say: “It sounds too good to be true.”
“Certainly, this was an exaggeration.”
I don’t think so.
I think that for a short time in history, the first Christian Church was truly being what God had called them to be “A United Church.”
And I think we have many, many instances throughout the Scriptures and throughout history where the Church has been what the Church is supposed to be.
And when we are able to be a part of this most amazing of events, we see miracles happen, lives change, and people work together in ways that are nothing short of a miracle—even if it lasts for only a short time.
But short or long, it gives us hope for we see what can be.
And we also experience the REALITY of God—of the Kingdom of God—and of the Holy Spirit—and our eyes are open in ways that are unexplainable.
Can you relate?
In a world that is lost, dark, grieving and in despair—this is the only hope.
And it is a hope that is real!!!
And it is shown to be real every time a Christian Church opens its doors to a homeless person, or just a person in need—whether it be physically or emotionally.
It is proven true every time a church member goes the extra mile to make sure someone has a place to stay or food or clothing.
It is proven every time we show a love for one another—that is—selfless-- not the kind of love that the world offers.
It is proven every time a life is transformed.
It is proven every time we are willing to part with worldly treasures in order to help others.
It is proven every time a person is forgiven, peace is made, love is given, grace is extended.
Because these things are God things; they do not originate with fallen people.
And that is a miracle.
And I want to be a part of it.
How about you?
Praise God.
Amen.
