Getting W.E.L.L.
Acts 2:42-27
God’s original design for the church is found in the book Acts. If there was ever a church growth plan that worked, it was the one used by the first-century church. Talk about effectiveness. This church exploded. Why? Because the believers knew why they were there and what they were supposed to do.
If we were to do a side by side comparison of the 1st century church and ourselves, I dare say that we would come up way short. As I look at the Acts church and I look at our church, I can’t help but notice that we have a lone way to go. This doesn’t discourage me, it challenges me, and I hope it challenges you. Every time I read this passage I see not only what we are not, but what we will soon be.
Acts 2:42-47 shows us four foundational qualities:
They were a Worshipping Church
They were an Evangelizing Church
They were a Learning Church
They were a Loving Church
Think of it like this, the First church was W.E.L.L. worshipping, evangelizing, learning, and loving. I believe that when God set up the first church, HE DID IT RIGHT! So if we are going to do it right, we need to do it God’s way.
I feel like this is God’s vision for us for this year! I believe with all of my heart that this God’s Word to us this year, that it is time to get W.E.L.L. And everything we do this year will help us toward that goal.
1. God’s Original Design: Become a Worshipping Church
“They continued steadfastly…in the breaking of bread, and in prayers…and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles…They ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God.”
The early church was built on prayer and worship. When we read the book of Acts- the record of the early church’s history-we conclude that the believers had miracles happen every single day! They didn’t follow signs & wonders, signs & wonders followed them!
AN expressive, worshipful church results from sincere praise and sincere communion with the Savior. It’s not something you schedule to draw a crowd.
TO become a worshipping church means focus has been shifted. Our natural inclination is to worship other “gods.” But the Bible teaches that we are put on this earth primarily to know and walk with the God who made us and to bring glory to His name.
“Jesus replied, "Believe me, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father here or in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans know so little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes through the Jews. 23 But the time is coming and is already here when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for anyone who will worship him that way. 24 for God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth." (John 4:21-24 NLT)
Worshipping in “Spirit and in Truth” means worshipping with the mind and heart. True worship requires both. You worship in Truth when you know who you are worshipping & why. We are agreeing with God about who He is, what He can do and has done, and what He is asking of us. Then we respond by telling Him so. This is why Bible study and worship go hand in hand. Worship is going to be more effective when it is based on an accurate understanding of who God is.
Our worship of God must engage the mind, but it must also engage the affections, the heart, our emotions, and our spirit. That does not mean that worship has to necessarily be emotional or involve an outward emotional display to be “in the spirit,” but it does mean the heart must be engaged. We show outward excitement and worship to sports, musicians, and celebrities. It would seem only right that God would deserve more.
A worshipping church is a place where God is exalted in spirit and in truth. So if we are going to get W.E.L.L. We must become a Worshipping Church
2. God’s Original Design: Become an Evangelistic Church
“The Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”
As we read the accounts of the first church, it becomes clear that literally everything they did culminated in evangelism. Proclaiming Christ was never seen as optional. It was never a job handed out to a special committee. EVANGELISM HAPPENED REGULARLY AS THE EARLY BELIEVERS LIVED THEIR LIVES. As they did, they aroused not only curiosity but also admiration and earned an audience with unbelievers.
In the church today we actually debate Jesus’ command to go into all the world and make disciples of all men. Some go so far as to say that they are not called to be evangelistic, that they were called to Body ministry. HOG WASH!
Healthy well-fed, worshipping believers will reproduce themselves. When I am glorifying God, when I am built up as a believer, I want to then go and share my faith. WE TALK ABOUT WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO US!!! The early believers had been touched by Jesus; He had forever changed their lives, so much so that they were willing to give their lives for Him.
Evangelism was not a planned event; it was a natural out growth of a healthy relationship with Christ. The early believers took everyday situations and turned them into opportunities to share the Gospel.
(Peter & John Acts 3:1-26)
They stepped out in faith and spoke the truth of the Gospel and God showed up!!! An evangelistic church is a place where the gospel is shared. If we are going to get W.E.L.L. then we must become and Evangelistic Church.
3. God’s Original Design: Become a Learning Church
“They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship.”
This is essential to a healthy church, a commitment to preaching and learning God’s Word. At the time of the first church, this meant listening to the apostles’ teaching and reading the Scriptures that they had at that point.
But also notice the words “they continued steadfastly.” Keep in mind that this means not only that the apostles taught faithfully and continually but that that congregation was faithful to “continue in” –learn and keep growing in- what was taught. THEY WERE ATTENTIVE!
2 Timothy 2:15, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (KJV)
People develop an appetite for what they are fed. A church with a steady diet of feel-good sermonettes in place of good theology or solid teaching from Scripture will eventually raise a congregation that is weak.
“We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. 12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.” (Heb 5:11-14 NIV)
A learning church is a church where is discipleship is taking place. There is a hunger for the Word of God. If we are going to get W.E.L.L. then we must become and Learning Church.
4. God’s Original Design: Become a Loving Church
“Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common…continuing daily with one accord…and having favor with all people.”
This description wasn’t intended to describe a socialist utopia. It illustrates just how literally we’re called to love one another. The reason the early church could share their possessions was that they were actually living out the second great commandment to love their neighbor as themselves. We see that their unity and love were so powerful that “all the people” thought well of them.
Who wouldn’t want to join in on such a love fest where everyone was cared about and accepted? As a result, their numbers exploded and thousands came to Christ!
When we are talking about being a Loving church we are talking about a people that are connected to one another in close fellowship and people who serve one another in true ministry. Jesus said in Matthew 19:19 “Love your neighbor as yourself.” What would happen if we truly began to take Jesus at His world and live this way? What would this do to our church? Can you imagine how different things would be if we operated by this principle? What would it be like if we really were as concerned about others’ happiness, problems, and disappointments as we are about our own?
Our love one for another is one of our greatest witnesses to the world. It backs up everything that we are trying to do and say to the unbeliever. Remember in Acts all the believers were as one? The response was a daily adding to their numbers. People came to Jesus because they saw how Christians loved each other.
Too often the opposite is true today.
A loving church is a church family. Brother and sister bound together in love. Caring for one another, helping one another, serving on another.
A Loving church is a place where there is true fellowship & ministry. If we are going to get W.E.L.L. then we must become and Loving Church.
Conclusion
The bottom line is this, we are not healthy. We need to get W.E.L.L.!!! It has to happen that is my vision and my mission for this next year. Everything I preach and every event we do will go toward this goal of getting W.E.L.L.
This is not a negotiable point. It is imperative to our survival as a church. We need a spiritual revival, we need to get healthy. And I am challenging you to join me in this mission.
