Introduction
When I was preparing this sermon I felt God ask me two questions.
The first question that I felt God ask me: "What is your passion?"
Music, Enviroment, Work, Politics, Technology, Cooking, Sports (Basketball, Baseball, Football, Soccer Etc.),
Sports in particular provided me with a great illustration of passion.
At my job there are a number of people who are sports fans. This past super bowl it amazed me as I heard the various parties being planned for the big day. The host of one super bowl party was even selling tickets to the event that was being held in his home. What was even more amazing tp me was the number of people buying tickets. The passion that many sport fans exhibit is incredible.
The Bible provides us with a sound basis for the concept of spiritual passion, enthusiasm or zeal. The Apostle Paul states it as:
"Whatever your task, work heartily, as serving the Lord and not men, " (Col_3:23);
"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. " (1Co_15:58);
"who gave himself for us to redeem us from all iniquity and to purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds." (Tit_2:14);
"for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the people of Macedo’nia, saying that Acha’ia has been ready since last year; and your zeal has stirred up most of them." (2Co_9:2).
In Revelation the Apostle John commanded the Laodiceans. "Those whom I love, I reprove and chasten; so be zealous and repent." (Rev_3:19).
It is interesting that "zeal" and "zealous" come from a Greek word which means "to boil; seethe." An enthusiastic person boils inside; it spills over to cause peak performance.
The wise man stated it in these words, "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might;" (Ecc_9:10).
Some people verbalize their inability to be enthusiastic. However, I don’t believe there is a person who hasn’t been excited or enthusiastic about something. A raise in salary, an award, vacation, promotion, birth of a child, opportunity, or some other event in life creates zeal by its very nature.
What we need in our church is enthusiasm for the mission God has given His people.
The second question God placed in my thoughts: "Are you a spectator or a player?"
Transition:
This second question is why my family and I have become involved in establishing networks of house churches. We believe God is calling each of us to be more than spectators. That each of us needs to be passionate about our faith and become a participant in God’s plan.
We have been discovering the difference between the church of Acts and the church of today. It simply comes down to the fact that the early church was passionate about their faith. They showed it by their words and by their deeds. They were a people who dedicated their entire lives to God and to the expansion of His Kingdom.
Content
Passionate about Community
Act 2:42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
Dedicated to Growing in the Word
Explanation
They received it, retained it, and acted on its principles.
Act 11:23 When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad; and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose; (Barnabas/the Church at Antioch)
Eph 2:20 built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,
Illustration
Palm Oil
Fred W. Cropp, president of American Bible Society, received a letter asking a question: "What do you recommend for keeping the leather on the back of Bibles from getting stiff, cracking and peeling?
The reply was, "There is one oil that is especially good for treatment of leather on Bibles. In fact it will insure your Bible will stay in good condition. It is not sold, but may be found in the palm of the human hand."
Dedicated to the Fellowship
Explanation
Koinonia ?, community; meaning association for religious and spiritual purposes,
Gal 6:10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Illustration
Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring - Movie
Legolas: Hurry! Frodo and Sam have reached the eastern shore.
(We see their boat pulled up on the other side of the lake and them climbing the hill)
You mean not to follow them.
Aragorn: Frodo’s fate is no longer in our hands.
Gimli: Then it has all been in vain. The Fellowship has failed.
Aragorn: Not if we hold true to each other. We will not abandon Merry and Pippin to torment and death. Not while we have strength left. . . . . . . . .
Dedicated to Breaking of Bread
Explanation
Act 20:11 And when Paul had gone up and had broken bread and eaten, he conversed with them a long while, until daybreak, and so departed.
Breaking of bread was that act which preceded a feast or meal, and which was performed by the master of the house, when he pronounced the blessing - what we would call grace before meat.
Illustration
Remembering and retelling stories around the kitchen table is a custom that is almost lost in modern Canadian culture. Historically the main meal of the day was a center for storytelling. As the dishes were passed around the table individuals would share the events of their day. As in the Church of Acts it was a time for remembering. A time for remembering what God has done.
Dedicated to Prayer
Explanation
Eph 6:18 Pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
Illustration
Richard Foster, in his book “Celebration of Discipline” says “To pray is to change. Prayer in the central avenue God uses to transform us. If we are unwilling to change, we will abandon prayer as a noticeable characteristic of our lives. The closer we come to the heartbeat of God the more we see our need and the more we desire to be conformed to Christ….
Application
The Church needs to recapture its’ sense of community.
Passionate about God
Act 2:43 And fear came upon every soul; and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.
Explanation
In good men, the fear of God is a holy awe or reverence of God and his laws, which springs from a just view and real love of the divine character, leading the subjects of it to hate and shun every thing that can offend such a holy being, and inclining them to aim at perfect obedience.
It is like a little boy as he discovers the wonders around him.
Illustration
A Holy Fear
In the Bill Keaton’s Comic Strip "Family Circus":
In one particular comic strip Billy (a six year old) is sent over to his neightbours on an errand. The comic strip shows him going to and from the neighbour’s house. The author shows Billy going through mudpuddles, exploring gardens, climbing trees, watching the clouds, talking to friends, checking out his treehouse and so on till finally he arrives back home. "What were you doing that took so long?" asks his Mom. "nothing Mom" says Billy.
Billy completed the errand in respect to his Mom but along the way he experienced the wonder, the awesomeness of God.
How much wonder? How much awe do we experience as the people of God?
Application
The Church needs to recapture its’ sense of awe/holy fear.
Passionate about Ministry
Act 2:44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common;
Act 2:45 and they sold their possessions and goods and distributed them to all, as any had need.
Explanation
Therefore a sort of community of goods was no strange thing at Jerusalem, at such times as these. It appears, however, that this community of goods was carried farther; for we are informed, Act_2:45, that they sold their possessions and their goods, and parted them to all, as every man had need. But, this probably means that, as in consequence of this remarkable outpouring of the Spirit of God; and their conversion, they were detained longer at Jerusalem than they had originally intended, they formed a kind of community for the time being, that none might suffer want on the present occasion; as no doubt the unbelieving Jews, who were mockers, Act_2:13, would treat these new converts with the most marked disapprobation.
Illustration
Burdened for the Lost
The St. Bernard dogs in the Alps who seek out travelers lost in a storm take their mission very seriously. One of these dogs returned late one afternoon, wearied from fighting his way through the drifts. He went to his kennel, lay down in a corner, and acted thoroughly despondent, despite the efforts of his master to encourage him. Was he sick? Well, no-not in body, but in heart. He had failed to find anyone to help and had come back ashamed. It is such sorrow of heart, resulting in outbursts of tears on behalf of others, that should characterize the Christian.
Application
The Church needs to recapture its’ helping nature.
Passionate about Missions
Act 2:46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they partook of food with glad and generous hearts,
Act 2:47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Explanation
They naturally expressed the joy that came through their new faith in Christ.
Illustration
Rick Warren shares in his book "The Purpose Driven Church":
"Successful ministry is building the church on the purposes of God in the power of the Holy Spirit and expecting the results from God."
Application
The Church needs to recapture its’ purpose.
Summary
This Is My Church
It is composed of people just like me.
It will be friendly if I am.
It will do a great work if I work.
It will make generous gifts to many causes if I am generous.
It will bring others into its fellowship if I bring them.
Its seats will be filled if I fill them.
It will be a church of loyalty and love, of faith and service.
If I who make it what it is, am filled with these,
Therefore, with God’s help, I dedicate myself to the task of being
All these things I want my Church to be.
1. The Church needs to recapture its’ sense of community.
2. The Church needs to recapture its’ sense of awe.
3. The Church needs to recapture its’ helping nature.
4. The Church needs to recapture its’ purpose.
Invitation
If you sense God speaking to you through His word this morning this is the time open for you to respond publicly.
If God is leading you to join this Church. Come forward during this invitation time and we will celebrate together.
If God is wanting you to become more of a player in His work come forward and renew your committment to Him.
If God is calling you to give your life over to Him. I will remain here and as you come up front we will rejoice with you.
