42They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Acts 2:42-47
Three hundred and sixty five days are spread out before us. We lost some wonderful people; some were well known, like Ronald Reagan, and some were very near to our hearts, like our Senior Adult Pastor Jim Hopkins. Two thousand four was the 4th warmest year in recorded history. The old year is waving good-bye as we look in our rearview mirror. It’s now another chapter in the history books.
Stretching out before me as I sit on my back porch is Saratoga Pass, the inland passage between Camano Island and Whidbey Island. It’s a view of Puget Sound that stretches for miles, and I see endless possibilities. Wind surfers wait for a windy weekend. Boaters wait the opening day of fishing season in a few months. Navy Prowlers (flyers from Whidbey Island Naval Air Station) fly overhead, preparing for trips to Iraq. Their sound is worth stopping and saluting, it is the sound of freedom.
A lot goes on from the Squires’ back porch. Eagles soar above. Deer sneak through the yard at night looking for plants and fruit trees to munch on. Children play below. Apple trees grow (soon). I wonder what 2005 will bring to this view? Sandwiched between January 1 and December 31 are twelve exciting months with endless, unexpected, and unlived possibilities. Mark my word friend; this New Year will require that you stray from the comfort zone of the back porch of your life. It requires that you hold loosely to your expectations. (By the way, the greater the expectations the greater the need.) If you don’t, you will think everyone is trying to block your success and prosperity. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Here are some Words of Wisdom for New Year Travelers
v God desires that you “hold loosely” to your life.
v Give others wiggle room for a few mistakes and imperfections.
v Make a daily choice to be positive and optimistic rather than negative, critical, and resistant.
v Take a risk. Try something new. Be ready for change. As Mark Twain says, “The only person that likes change is a wet baby.”
v Don’t just do it, do it with excellence. Living, as Chuck Swindoll says, “Above the Level of Mediocrity.”
v Don’t just sit there! Get off that deck and move beyond the comfort of island breezes. Just sitting there is not an option!
“It is a wretched taste to be gratified with mediocrity when the excellent lies before us.” Isaac Disraeli, 1834
Two and half decades have passed since I began the journey of ministry from the Washington border town of Bellingham in 1981. It has taken me to Fort Worth, Texas; San Diego/Pasadena, California; and finally back home to Seattle (Marysville), Washington. What has driven me for those 25 years? The answer: A strong desire to be committed to excellence while others are satisfied with settling for mediocrity; to aim high while many others seem to be comfortable with the boredom of aiming low.
Two thousand five takes me a step closer to the return of Jesus Christ. Every year I age (46 now) I am less willing to accept anything less than my best. This year I am more convinced that achieving my fullest potential is a goal worth striving for and a possibility still attainable. Excellence is still worth pursuing at all cost! What if I stumble and fall? At least I will not be guilty of non-effort. Last time I checked it wasn’t a crime to fail.
Five Values of Christian Excellence for 2005
When you understand the Five Values of Christian Excellence, you will know what God expects from you in 2005. This will answer the question we should always be asking: why do I exist and what does God expect from me? This week we will focus on the first, Moving Closer Through Fellowship.
Understanding what God expects from you in 2005 produces several benefits. It builds motivation, establishes priorities and helps keep them focused, attracts cooperation, and offers opportunities for evaluation. Let me first review the values each person and each church should strive to live for in 2005. Rick Warren expounds on each of these purposes in his book, The Purpose-Driven Life. To date, that book has sold over 10 million copies. Each value or purpose found in the book is also found in today’s sermon.
It was now 50 days after Jesus rose from the dead, and the Holy Spirit was about to blow with gale force winds from Heaven to Jerusalem. The ensuing tsunami of power that followed yielded 3000 new converts to Jesus Christ from Peter’s first sermon alone. On that day the Church was born. As in Bethlehem, where the first cries of God’s heart were heard from a newborn baby, another “infant” was born, and the infant Church echoed throughout the city. It was the early Christian’s dependency on God and on one another for survival that marked their existence. In the Gospels, Jesus is on center stage; in the book of Acts center stage has been designed for us.
They were a tight knit group. Persecution and ostracism caused many financial challenges. They were now set apart, and their very survival depended on their closeness. A close look reveals five values and purposes that were crucial for the early church’s healthy development. Two thousand years later, in 2005, you can peer through the windows of God’s family at Marysville First Assembly and see one or more of these five values in action. You can see these values identified on front of the church bulletin.
Mission Statement: Marysville First Assembly…
…where everyone can discover and enjoy God’s purposes for their lives.
Purpose Statement: Marysville First Assembly
…As an Acts 2 church, Marysville First Assembly will communicate the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a caring and creative manner in Snohomish County and around the world to strengthen believers, establish community, and reach those who do not yet know Him.
1. The Value of Community - Moving Closer through Fellowship
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Acts 2:42
Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, Acts 2:46
What if porcupines could dance? They are God’s idea of the animal kingdom’s version of a cactus. Imagine a cactus gliding, twirling around the ballroom as the orchestra plays a waltz. Or look at that cactus in an embrace of the tango - striding, dipping, heads bobbing to the music. Cheek-to-cheek. Arm-in-arm. Quill–to-quill. Ouch! The only porcupine I want to see at a dance is a wallflower, standing alone along the wall, punch in hand, a good distance from the crowd. No dance, no partner, no pain.
Many who come into a local church think it looks more like a porcupine ball than a tightly knit family. The idea of getting close causes many to wince. The result is that we keep others at a safe distance. Why? If you knew what I was really like you might reject me. Others push their way in anyway; bristles hurt and many are unaware of the wounds they are inflicting.
I am ready to see the church stop acting like porcupines. I want to see it become a close-knit community like was modeled in Acts 2. God has created each of us for close and lasting relationships, and He has even designed a plan to pull it off. The Greek word is koinonia and we find its attributes in verses 42-47. The word for fellowship in the Bible carries the idea of common or communal. If I were to sum up the biblical picture of fellowship in one word it would be sharing.
God wants us to experience regular expressions of genuine Christianity that is freely shared among all members of God’s family. To bring God’s plan for our fellowship into these pews, consider these qualities of koinonia that emerge in Acts 2.
Ø Christian fellowship was inclusive for all believers. Notice the word all is used twice in verse 44 and 45. Even though fellowship was an option and not forced, it was offered to all.
Ø Christian fellowship was the glue that held those early believer’s lives together. Even a cursory reading causes the most infantile Christian to sit up and take notice of the words were together and had all things in common. Even though they came from a variety of ethnic, economic, and educational backgrounds, these early Christians were knit together in unity in the midst of diversity.
Ø Christian fellowship was source of answered prayer to meet the needs of believers. In Acts 2:45 we find this expression of fellowship, “as anyone might have need.” No gathering ever took place but what real and practical needs were not considered. This was not just a social club. These individuals really cared and loved one another. What an amazing way to live.
Along with the capable staff God has given us at MFA, we will be leading this church to express and experience koinonia in two ways in 2005, to become a people where no one walks alone. First, by sharing of something with someone in a tangible way such as money, food, or even a ride to church. Second, by sharing in something with someone, such as joy, sorrow, or concern.
Like 31 flavors of ice cream, we have a lot of choices in how to enjoy fellowship, but most of us haven’t ventured beyond our few, favorite flavors. We play it safe. God wants us to take some risks in relationships in this New Year. Those 31 flavors all come up ice cream. Fellowshipping all comes up sharing with the church.
God wants you to belong to His family, not just believe in biblical truths. From the beginning it was not good for man to be alone. Before you get too far into the creation account in Genesis 2:18, a simple statement sets the stage.
Pushing through the pages of scripture, the Bible singles out a man who was alone:
There was a man all alone;
he had neither son nor brother.
There was no end to his toil,
yet his eyes were not content with his wealth. Ecclesiastes 4:8
This haunting verse reminds us of what happens when we fail to include others in our lives - priorities are skewed; we become workaholics to cover-up a dead relational life. Next, we slip into lack of contentment because we’re trying to squeeze our lives into the wrong passion. Instead of focusing on people, we focus on possessions. This is a quick formula for a dissatisfied life.
You may have lived your life apart from people before you became a Christian, but when you come to Christ you’re in the family. You are vitally connected through Christ to every believer in this church and around the world, and we will be connected for all of eternity.
In Star Wars when millions of people would die on a distant planet, there would be some type of shaking and heartache in The Force. George Lucas has conveyed a biblical truth that has recently become evident. That very thing happened the last week of 2004 as thousands of Christians were swept into eternity during of one of the largest natural disasters of all time. A tsunami originated in Indonesia and, at the time of this writing on January 2, 2005, its effects have left over 150,000 dead and 5 million homeless. (Later figures were over 250,000 dead)
Our own Curry and Desi Smythe, who were on Christmas vacation in Sri Lanka, were personally affected. They enjoyed the benefits of being related to a community of faith as we prayed and showed interest.
Romans 12:5 says, …so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. To be a member of a local body of believers is to be an interconnected and interdependent part of the body of Christ. If you are not connected to a local church it doesn’t matter how talented or anointed you are. You discover your purpose in life through your relationship with others.
If an organ or limb is severed from the body it will shrivel up and die. So it is with your spiritual life. If you are not connected to a local body, your spiritual life will wither up and die. We see it often in church work. Consistent attendance in worship services and small group gatherings is the first thing to go in spiritual decay and decline.
Since the church is the only indestructible force in the universe and will exist for all of eternity, you need to be tightly engrafted in 2005. The body of Christ is the only hope for the world. It is God’s only “Plan A.” Jesus said, “I will build my church and the gates hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18)
The person who says by their actions or words that “I don’t need the church” is either arrogant or ignorant. The church was so important to God that He sent His only begotten Son to die on its behalf.
…Christ loved the church and gave His life for it (Ephesians 5)
I can’t imagine someone saying, “ I love you Ken, but I dislike your wife.” Or “I accept you, but I reject your bride.” But every time we complain, demean, or abuse someone in the church we do this. The epitaph for the church in the 20th and 21st century will be a generation of people that used and abused the church but didn’t love the church.
The high cost of “bunny” Christianity has produced a generation of mobile Christians who hop from church to church and relationship to relationship with no accountability, identity, or commitment.
The remaining values will be addressed in the weeks to come. They are:
2. The Value of Discipleship - Living Richer Through Discipleship.
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Acts 2:42
3. The Value of Ministry - Loving Deeper through Ministry.
All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Acts 2:44-45
4. The Value of Evangelism - Growing Larger through Missions.
…praising God and enjoying the favor of all people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:47
5. The Value of Worship - Becoming Stronger through Worship.
Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.
Acts 2:43
Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all people.
Acts 2:46-47
Nothing helps a person overcome mediocrity and achieve excellence quicker than scriptural living. When you memorize and commit all your efforts to live these 5 biblical and balanced core values, or purposes, as Rick Warren says, your Life In 2005 will yield these fruitful benefits.
Trying to live a life that is not governed by God’s priorities is like trying to drive in the fog. It doesn’t matter if you have fog lights, you still can’t see. Your only hope for clear vision in 2005 is - Moving Closer Through Fellowship.
So what can you expect to get from your church in 2005? As Rick Warren says in Purpose-Driven Life, you can expect these purposes to be provided.1
Ø God’s people to live with (fellowship)
Ø God’s principles to live by (discipleship)
Ø God’s profession to live out (ministry)
Ø God’s purpose to live for (mission)
Ø God’s power to live on (magnify)
When it comes to the church, I am satisfied customer. I eat sleep and breathe how to lead and love God’s church. How about you? In 2005, will you commit and sacrifice for Moving Closer Through Fellowship?
Truths To Take Away
1. This year I am more convinced that achieving my fullest potential is a goal worth striving for and a possibility still attainable. Excellence is still worth pursuing at all cost!
2. Many who come into a local church think it looks more like a porcupine ball than a tightly knit family. The idea of getting close causes many to wince. The result is that we keep others at a safe distance. Why? If you knew what I was really like you might reject me.
3. You may have lived your life apart from people before you became a Christian, but when you come to Christ, you’re in the family.
Unexpected Findings
1. “It is a wretched taste to be gratified with mediocrity when the excellent lies before us.” Isaac Disraeli, 1834
2. Consistent attendance in worship services and small group gatherings is the first thing to go in spiritual decay and decline.
3. The epitaph for the church in the 20th and 21st century will be a generation of people that used and abused the church but didn’t love the church.
End Notes
(1)Rick Warren. The Purpose Driven Life, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1995, pg. 117.
