Introduction: Once again, I want to give some mediation from the Book of Proverbs. This book is a book of wisdom. I have mentioned in the past this statement that I believe needs to be repeated in this message also. If all you had was the Book of Proverbs, then you would have enough to live the victorious life of a believer. The problem is not having a book of victorious living but a lack of desire to do so. It is my desire to cause you to thirst for the victorious living. Too long we have lived in the lowlands of depression, defeat, despair and the devil when we can have that abundant life that our Saviour spoke so plainly in John 10:10 "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." in the last part of that verse. Part of the solution is abiding in Christ that John 15 informs us must be done.
Porter Barrington made some simple yet profound thoughts when mediating on this verse of scripture. It befits us to understand these simple words and let them burn in our hearts. Let me give you these thoughts before moving into the bulk of my message today.
As a man thinketh
Today I will think like a dynamic servant of God, because I am what I think.
I am not always what I think I am; I am what I think.
I am not what I eat; I am what I think.
Clothes do not make the man; thinking makes the man.
Therefore I will keep my thought process active and open to the voice of God.
God did not call me to a life of failure, but to a life of success. This being so, I cannot fail as long as I do His will, allowing Him to work in and through me, motivating my every thought.
Because my God is a big God, I will think with confidence, knowing that my thoughts can never be bigger than my God.
Today I will think as the apostle Paul thought when he said: "I can do all things through Christ which strengthen me." (Phil. 4:13)
What intense thoughts from this fertile mind of this preacher can be seen. If we would direct ourselves in this direction, our lives would have greater meaning and purpose in the cause of Christ.
Paul gives many warnings in regards to what we think and growing spiritually. One of the most rebuking is found in Romans 8:6 which declares "To be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace." Paul gives us the two contrast in the arena of the mind.
You can tell about a person by how they think. How they think will reveal whether they are a carnal or spiritual believer. We are what we think.
The challenge of the hour is to go forth unto spiritual maturity. It will be sensible us to make spiritual and scriptural comparisons. Before proceeding, let me give this warnings from the Word: 1 Cor. 2:13
"Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual."
2 Cor. 10:12
"For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise."
If I try to compare myself with you, then most likely, you will come up short and vice versa. Since Paul warns us of this danger, we must make our comparisons with the infallible Word of God. It is written in eternal ink. No eraser can erase what God has recorded for our benefit. (Rom. 15:4 "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.")
So let us think about the early believers of the first church and make the divine comparison. As we think on these things which Paul proposes in Phil. 4:8-9. "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.". I challenge you to think of your own spirituality when compared with the first church believers.
I. THE ACCUSATION OF THE FIRST CHURCH BELIEVERS.
We must remember that the word "Christian" is only found in the Bible three times. In the law of first mention, you see the pattern for the other two times that the word is given. Acts 11:26
"And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch."
This is prophesied in Isa. 62:2 "And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name.. The name "Christian" was given to them a reproach. Today the name is misused, maligned, and mistaken. Many people call themselves "Christians" when they do not even know Christ as their personal Saviour. I am afraid that many believers are not Christ like in their lives.
There are two accusations found in the Book of Acts in regards to the first church believers.
A. They were accused of filling Jerusalem with the Gospel. Acts 5:28
It is said that the first church may have won over half of Jerusalem to Christ in the first two years of the Great Commission. How did they do it? They were more interested in obedience to God and the Great Commission thanchurch growth.
As the first church grew so did their outreach. They ever focused on church growth- their entire focus was on being obedient to our Saviour and to the Great Commission.
If our church will focus on biblical soul winning, growth will take care of itself!! Our job is obedience. It is God who gives the increase.
This past week, I heard a preacher from West Virginia who told of a revival that broke out in his church. He said that it was not some mystical experience. Bro. Milian relayed that the Lord did not really change the people but changed him with this thought: "People are going to Hell and someone needs to care."
Bro. Milian started to preach with more compassion and concern for people. He stated that 76 people got saved in a year and half's time. He baptized 67 of them and 45 people become members of his church that was only
running 19 each Sunday morning before that time. If God can do that with him, can the Lord do that with you and I? Worth thinking about, isn't it?
B. They were accused of turning the world upside down. Acts 17:6
"And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also"
When they shared the gospel, the people acted or reacted. On the day of Pentecost the hundred twenty Spirit-filled believers left the upper room. As they shared the good news with the people, their listeners were confounded, amazed, and marveled. Some mocked by accusing them being drunk. But some inquired asking "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" (Acts 2:37).
The point that I am trying to make is this: Some acted, accepting Christ as their personal Saviour, while others reacted, mocking; but no one ignored those Holy Spirit-filled believers.
They were spiritual because they had a knowledge of the gospel and the filling of the Holy Spirit. They were thinking with the dynamic believers that they really were. Part of the challenge of the hour is this: "Do I have the courage to ask myself this question: Am I carnal or spiritual?" "As a man thinketh, so is he."
II. ACTIVITIES OF THE EARLY CHURCH BELIEVERS
Since they were spirit-filled believers, they were able to some activities that can be our testimony also. The Activities are thus:
A. They were bold to share the gospel with the lost. Some of the people who were saved were the priests and Levites from which all the priest came. One of the believers who were saved from the Levites was by the name ofBarnabas. The priests could have you arrested but someone had to witness to him.
Acts 4:29, 31
"And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness."
B. They witnessed with great power.
Acts 4:33
"And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all."
C. They shared with great grace.
Acts 4:33
"And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all."
D. They shared their wealth, talent and time.
Acts 4:34
"Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold"
I do think that this should be added. The people of this church were not required to do this. They did this to show a care and concern for others that needed be seen in that day and in our day also.
E. They worshipped in the Spirit.
F. They suffered persecution and gloried in tribulations Acts 5:40-42
"And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ."
They were not deliberately looking for trouble. It found them and they suffered for their faith. 2 Tim. 3:12
"Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution."
G. They sang in prison and loved and prayed for their executioners. Acts 16:25
"And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them."
Acts 7:60
"And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.รข
H. They rejoiced to suffer shame for Christ.
2 Cor. 12:9-10
"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."
I. They went everywhere proclaiming the Gospel.
Acts 8:4
"Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word."
Acts 5:42
"And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ."
III. THE ABUNDANCE OF THE EARLY CHURCH BELIEVERS
"As a man thinketh, so is he." These were truly spiritual believers. As spiritual believers, they exhibited some characteristics that showed their true spirituality. As spiritual believers,
A. They did not care who got the credit as long as God got the glory.
B. They did not have a chips on their shoulders but was willing to take up their crosses daily and follow Christ.
C. They ignored molehills and by faith move mountains. They were not afraid to assume spiritual responsibilities.
One of the molehills made in to mountains that I see in the church today is this: Every one wants everyone to be just like them. They seem to be afraid to accept people unconditionally for who they are and not what they dress like.
Do not get me wrong, I still believe that ladies ought to dress like ladies and men ought to look like men. I still believe that men ought to act like men. We should dress like men, shake hands like men and behave like gentlemen.
Ladies ought to talk like ladies, act like ladies and be ladies. It is a shame there are not more ladies in this world today. There are lots of women but few true ladies.
If a person comes to our church who is not just like us but have a desire to learn. It is up to the Lord to make some changes. This is not a social club. It is the church. When it ceases being a church, then I will cease being its pastor. Too many people judged others by the way they look. For every one who makes comments about others and the way they may look should ask me how they were a few years ago. Just because you have a few convictions now does not mean you have arrived. Mt. 7:2-5
"For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye"
D. They had the ability to adjust without compromising principles.
E. They could adapt to a changing world without letting the world change them.
Conclusion: The question is this: Am I a spiritual Christian? Only you can answer this question. Only you can answer the question honestly when you take the time to think about how you match up to the Word of God and allow it reflect the flaws to you.
