Today, we’re going to look to the second chapter of the book of Acts to think together about church. I am calling this series, “The Kind of Church I Want to be Part of.” But I need to point out, that I am not talking about looking for the “perfect” church.
“If I actually found the perfect church, it would no longer be perfect once I joined it.” - Anonymous
In reality, I know and you know there is no perfect church because there are no perfect people. With that being said though, we do need to find the best church with which to plant our lives.
When it comes to church involvement, you and I have a few options:
Neglect. You don’t see it as valuable, so you don’t make it a priority.
Hop. You just go around to different churches your entire life.
Spectate. You attend, but never ever commit to a congregation.
Belong. This category is for the person that found an imperfect church, and upon realization that he or she was imperfect as well, jumped in with his or her heart, commitment, time, service, money, and prayers and never looked back.
A church is not a place you go but a people to whom you belong.
So, as we talk about the kind of church we want to be part of, we’re talking about a group of fellow believers in Christ that I believe God wants me to be on a journey of faith with. So when we talk about the kind of church I want to be part of, our focus isn’t on perfection, but on direction. Is this church seeking to follow Christ, and is God calling me to join them for the journey?
We’re going to look at the example of the early church here in Acts chapter two, to learn what things should characterize a church that is headed in the right direction. Interestingly enough, each of the things we will look at in this series that will characterize a church that is headed the right direction is also something that will be true of an individual believer who is headed in the right direction.
So, in reality, this series is not about my finding the right church, but how I can contribute to making the church God calls me to be part of the right kind of church. Indeed, it isn’t about us going to church; but about us being the Church.
1. A church with an accord among the members - v. 1
As we read about the church in Acts, we’re immediately impressed with their unity. One of the outstanding things them is their oneness.
The early church shared three things that contributed to their unity:
A. They shared a common commitment to the Lordship of Christ.
Jesus explains in simple terms what commitment His Lordship means.
“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” - Luke 6:46 (NIV)
If I am committed to the Lordship of Christ, then I will do as He says.
This is what the early church had done. Why were they together in one place? Simple. Because that is what Jesus had told them to do.
B. They shared a common commitment to loving one another.
Acts 2:44-46 describes their commitment to one another. They were a church committed to being the church together, which meant they were committed to doing this journey with God together.
In every church family, we find that different believers are at different points along the journey, but we are all on the same journey, and a church that you and I should want to be part of is one where we are committed to doing this journey together.
But, not everyone will join you on the journey. Not everyone processes things the same way. So we must be patient and loving.
Why might God allow a vote to not go my way?
1. The decision is not right.
2. The timing is not right. (Fort Stockton story)
3. The people are not right - God gets people that will do as He wants through either repentance (Peter) or removal (Numbers 13 & 14).
“God speaks by His Spirit through His Word and through prayer, through circumstances and his church to reveal Himself, His purposes and His ways.” - Henry Blackaby
What is God most interested in? God is more interested in our growing in an intimate love relationship with Him more than anything else. So, whether what I support is approved or not; or what I oppose is approved or not, what’s most important is that we all come together in love and an attitude of humility and ask, “What is God saying to us?”
Interestingly enough, not all of the disciples were present on the Day of Pentecost. Others were told what to do, that didn’t join the 120.
“He (Jesus) was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve. After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time . . .” - 1 Corinthians 15:4-6a (NLT)
While not everyone was “on board” initially, everyone got on board “eventually.” The same will be true of us, if we share a common commitment to loving one another.
C. They shared a common commitment to the Great Commission.
What were the 120 praying about as they gathered in that upper room? Were they praying for the coming of the Holy Spirit? No, because that had been already promised by Jesus (Acts 1:8).
I think that they were praying about the task Jesus had said would be theirs to fulfill after the Holy Spirit had come - the task of fulfilling the Great Commission. We see this in the election of Matthias.
“‘So now we must choose a replacement for Judas from among the men who were with us the entire time we were traveling with the Lord Jesus—from the time he was baptized by John until the day he was taken from us. Whoever is chosen will join us as a witness of Jesus’ resurrection.” So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. Then they all prayed, “O Lord, you know every heart. Show us which of these men you have chosen as an apostle to replace Judas in this ministry, for he has deserted us and gone where he belongs.’ Then they cast lots, and Matthias was selected to become an apostle with the other eleven.” - Acts 1:21-26 (NLT)
By the way, nowhere in the Bible are we told they did the wrong thing here. Even though they cast lots! (Explain what casting lots is). It is nice to know that God doesn’t require us to do everything perfectly before He gives us His guidance, because we are all imperfect people.
All God requires if we would be used of Him to fulfill His calling is not that we be perfect, but that we be willing. If we’re willing to live under His Lordship, love one another, and fulfill the Great Commission, He will use us to do so! This three-fold willingness of the early church enabled them to be of one accord, and if we are willing in the same way, we can move forward in oneness and unity, too.
2. A church with an allegiance to the Word of God - v. 16
Peter pointed everyone to God’s Word. They were looking for direction in order to understand what had happened, and Peter said the Word of God had the answer. Likewise, when you or I need of answers, we need look no further to God’s Word. Since this is true, we should . . .
A. Acquaint ourselves with God’s Word.
B. Adjust our lives to God’s Word.
We do this by applying God’s word to our lives. How do we apply God’s Word?
1) By confessing my sin.
2) By renewing my mind. (Isaiah 55:8-9; Romans 12:2)
3) By resisting life’s temptations. (Jesus’ example in Matthew 4)
4) By obeying Christ’s commands.
The Bible is full of “one another” commands, for example, and we are far better off when we obey them than when we don’t. They could be summed up as commands to 1) fellowship with one another; 2) accept one another; 3) bear with one another; 4) care for one another; 5) comfort one another; 6) encourage one another; 7) greet one another; 8) honor one another; 9) show hospitality to one another; 10) be kind to one another; and 11) love one another.
Conclusion: God calls us to get past our selfishness so that His Spirit might move among us. But the true test for our church is not whatever the vote results will be on the decisions before us. The true test for our church will be after this vote. Will we remain unified? Will we remain obedient to God’s Word?
“Few souls understand what God would accomplish in them if they were to abandon themselves unreservedly to Him and if they were to allow His grace to mold them accordingly.” - Ignatius
