We’re concluding our series on the kind of church I want to be part of. We’ve said while no church has achieved perfection, there is such a thing as a church heading the right direction; and the early church in Acts two was such a church. So we’ve looked to their example to learn what would be true of the kind of church I should want to be part of. So far we’ve said that the kind of church I should want to be part of is:
1. A church with an accord among the members;
2. A church with an allegiance to the Word of God;
3. A church that appropriates the Holy Spirit’s power;
4. A church that adores the Lord Jesus Christ;
5. A church that actively witnesses for Christ; and
6. A church makes an unapologetic appeal to the lost.
Now, let’s consider two final characteristics of the kind of church I should want to be part of. (READ Acts 2:42-47)
7. A church that has an attractive atmosphere - vs. 42-47a
The early church had an atmosphere outsiders found attractive. Verse 47 says they “enjoyed the favor of all the people.” The community looked on them favorably. The atmosphere of the church was attractive.
When we’re told they “devoted themselves,” it isn’t just talking about their faithfulness, but their attitude. They were devoted because they were excited and believed God would show up and show off.
When’s the last time you gathered with God’s people, expecting God to show up? Many have no expectation of God showing up because they can’t remember the last time they saw Him do so. This results in an atmosphere that’s anything but attractive. In fact, the atmosphere of too many churches is such that an unbeliever might say, “If that’s what Christianity does to you, I don’t want any!” Instead of seeing the fruit of the Spirit, there’s a bunch of sour grapes.
So, what might keep me from experiencing God when we gather?
1) Gathering for the wrong reasons.
If I gather with God’s people for any reason other than to seek Him, I won’t experience His presence when we gather.
“The Lord is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you.” - 2 Chronicles 15:2b (NIV)
“Let me see you in the sanctuary; let me see how mighty and glorious you are.” - Psalm 63:2 (GN)
2) Gathering with the wrong attitude.
We don’t gather with God’s people in order to “get something,” but to give something: glory to God.
“I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols.” - Isaiah 42:8 (NIV)
Too many Christians gather to worship idols rather than to worship God. Idols like music style, or preaching style. When this happens, those things that should help us give God glory and experience His presence, are used to keep us from experiencing Him.
If God’s glory is not valued above all; His presence will not be experienced at all.
3) Unwillingness to confess sin.
“Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed
with pure water.” - Hebrews 10:22 (NIV)
Mark it down: sin separates. If you find that you cannot sense God’s presence when we gather, then the cause is often unconfessed sin.
4) Unwillingness to obey God - refer again to Hebrews 10:32
This refers to the purification ritual priests went through before serving in the temple, and speaks of a readiness to obey God. If we won’t obey God, we won’t hear Him, though everyone else around us does.
“For where two or three are gathered in My name [meeting together as My followers], I am there among them.” - Matthew 18:20 (Amplified)
There are 2 attitudes we can have about the things of God: the “got to” attitude; and the “get to” attitude. Which words describe your attitude? If it’s “got to,” you need to examine your heart. A “got to” attitude says there’s something wrong with me that’s keeping me from experiencing God when we gather. If that’s the case, I need to identify the problem and turn from it.
8. A church regularly seeing people added to the kingdom - v. 47b
There are three ways a church grows - bigger, better, or broader. God’s math is interesting. We discover, as we read through Acts, that God adds to His church and grows it through multiplication.
A. God adds to His church through multiplying His Word.
“But the Word of God flourished and multiplied.” - Acts 12:24 (CSB)
How did the early church maintain such a dynamic fellowship with thousands being part of it? As they added, they multiplied.
“Day after day they met in the temple [area] continuing with one mind, and breaking bread in various private homes.” - Acts 2:46a (Amplified)
They met in the Temple courts and in homes in small groups. It wasn’t the same people meeting at the temple and in homes every day, but multiple groups of believers who met each day in the Temple and homes. As they grew larger, they grew smaller. Initially they did this because of the size of the church, but because they did this, the size of the church also grew. As they added members, they multiplied groups; as they multiplied groups, they added members.
Multiplying groups for getting into the Word is how our church can grow bigger.
“Effective small group leaders don’t just ‘lead a group.’ They raise up leaders to reach the world.” – Pastor Dave Earley
B. God adds to His church through multiplying disciples.
“Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem . . .” - Acts 6:7a (NKJV)
This focus is the key to our truly being a multi-generational church.
“You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.” - 2 Timothy 2:2 (NLT)
How many generations are in this verse? There are four:
First-generation discipleship: Jesus to Paul
Second-generation discipleship: Paul to Timothy
Third-generation discipleship: Timothy to “trustworthy people”
Fourth-generation discipleship: “trustworthy people” to “others”
If we are to truly be a multigenerational church, then we must be a multiplying church - a church that intentionally multiplies disciples. Multiplying disciples is how our church can grow better.
C. God adds to His church through multiplying churches.
“Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.”
- Acts 9:31 (NKJV)
“The mark of a great church is not its seating capacity, but its sending capacity.” - Mike Stachura, Global Ministries Pastor, Grace Church, Atlanta
Multiplying churches is how our church can grow broader.
Conclusion:
The Perfect Church
I think that I shall never see,
A church that’s all it ought to be;
A church whose members never stray,
Beyond the strait and narrow way;
A church that has no empty pews,
Whose Pastor never has the blues,
A church whose Deacons always deak,
And none is proud, and all are meek;
Where gossips never peddle lies,
Or make complaints or criticize;
Where all are always sweet and kind
And to each other’s faults are blind.
Such perfect churches there may be,
But none of them are known to me.
So I will work, and pray, and plan
To make my church the best I can.
—Author Unknown
