"The Kind Of Church I Want To Be Part Of" - Part One Series

Today, we’re going to look to the second chapter of the book of Acts to think together about church. I am calling this series, “The Kind of Church I Want to be Part of.” But I need to point out, that I am not talking about looking for the “perfect” church.

“If I actually found the perfect church, it would no longer be perfect once I joined it.” - Anonymous

In reality, I know and you know there is no perfect church because there are no perfect people. With that being said though, we do need to find the best church with which to plant our lives.

When it comes to church involvement, you and I have a few options:

Neglect. You don’t see it as valuable, so you don’t make it a priority.

Hop. You just go around to different churches your entire life.

Spectate. You attend, but never ever commit to a congregation.

Belong. This category is for the person that found an imperfect church, and upon realization that he or she was imperfect as well, jumped in with his or her heart, commitment, time, service, money, and prayers and never looked back.

A church is not a place you go but a people to whom you belong.

So, as we talk about the kind of church we want to be part of, we’re talking about a group of fellow believers in Christ that I believe God wants me to be on a journey of faith with. So when we talk about the kind of church I want to be part of, our focus isn’t on perfection, but on direction. Is this church seeking to follow Christ, and is God calling me to join them for the journey?

We’re going to look at the example of the early church here in Acts chapter two, to learn what things should characterize a church that is headed in the right direction. Interestingly enough, each of the things we will look at in this series that will characterize a church that is headed the right direction is also something that will be true of an individual believer who is headed in the right direction.

So, in reality, this series is not about my finding the right church, but how I can contribute to making the church God calls me to be part of the right kind of church. Indeed, it isn’t about us going to church; but about us being the Church.

1. A church with an accord among the members - v. 1

As we read about the church in Acts, we’re immediately impressed with their unity. One of the outstanding things them is their oneness.

The early church shared three things that contributed to their unity:

A. They shared a common commitment to the Lordship of Christ.

Jesus explains in simple terms what commitment His Lordship means.

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” - Luke 6:46 (NIV)

If I am committed to the Lordship of Christ, then I will do as He says.

This is what the early church had done. Why were they together in one place? Simple. Because that is what Jesus had told them to do.

B. They shared a common commitment to loving one another.

Acts 2:44-46 describes their commitment to one another. They were a church committed to being the church together, which meant they were committed to doing this journey with God together.

In every church family, we find that different believers are at different points along the journey, but we are all on the same journey, and a church that you and I should want to be part of is one where we are committed to doing this journey together.

But, not everyone will join you on the journey. Not everyone processes things the same way. So we must be patient and loving.

Why might God allow a vote to not go my way?

1. The decision is not right.

2. The timing is not right. (Fort Stockton story)

3. The people are not right - God gets people that will do as He wants through either repentance (Peter) or removal (Numbers 13 & 14).

“God speaks by His Spirit through His Word and through prayer, through circumstances and his church to reveal Himself, His purposes and His ways.” - Henry Blackaby

What is God most interested in? God is more interested in our growing in an intimate love relationship with Him more than anything else. So, whether what I support is approved or not; or what I oppose is approved or not, what’s most important is that we all come together in love and an attitude of humility and ask, “What is God saying to us?”

Interestingly enough, not all of the disciples were present on the Day of Pentecost. Others were told what to do, that didn’t join the 120.