Sermon Central
-
We're All In This Together
Contributed by Gene Newberry on Dec 28, 2020 (message contributor)
Summary: Studying the gathering of His church on the day of Pentecost, what was it that brought them together everyday?
Mary Saunders, a missionary’s helper in Africa, described a regular meeting she had with a new Christian in Somalia. The regular appointment was secret because the area was Muslim and did not tolerate other religions. On this particular evening, Mary reviewed the memory verse the young Somali had been learning. "This is the day which the Lord hath made, we will rejoice and be glad in it" (Psalm 118:24 KJV). After discussing the verse, Mary sang the familiar chorus based on that verse. The young man was delighted. The idea of singing raised a question for him: "When there is more than one Christian, what other things do you do?"
We can and should experience the presence of God alone, but special things are experienced and happen when Christians gather together. Think of the things we would miss if there was just one of us. Think of the things you would miss if or when you are not here with us.
“Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.”
“For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” (Matthew 18:19-20)
Just imagine the strength we have when we are together in the Lord!
Just imagine the power we are given when we are together in the Lord!
I was talking with a dear friend on the phone one Monday morning and this friend told me that he had been continually drawn to the church’s activities Luke described in Acts 2. So, I too began reading and meditating on Acts 2:41-47. I began asking God what have I missed that would help me and my friend as well as this body of believers here at South Yukon.
1. Continually devoting themselves
• They actively attached themselves to the teaching of the Apostles’
o The Apostles’ teaching was the very central content of the things Jesus remind them that they would be teaching through the guidance of the Holy Spirit
o Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness…”
o There was a hunger of their spiritual bread
o “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”
o Today, we often think that “I” can get my spiritual bread at home
o There is power in the spiritual food when taken together collectively
• They actively attached themselves to one another
o There was no individualistic thinking but now they are a community
o A community that was not like the world they came from
o There was a comradery and joy being shared
o There was relationships being made
o These were relationships that went beyond “hello, how are you?”
o When one devote themselves to fellowship they are committing themselves in the loyalty of friendship
• They actively attached themselves to breaking bread
o Some scholars say that they were sharing the Lord’s Supper
o Even if that is the case, this was still a meal being shared together
o Their souls were fed, and now their physical body was fed
o Nehemiah 8:12 – “And all the people went their way to eat and drink and to send portions and to make great rejoicing, because they had understood the words that were declared to them.”
o Whether this was the Lord’s Supper or an actual meal there was reflection and a sense of celebration taken place because of the redemption God gave them just as He did for Israelites coming out of Egypt and Babylonian captivity
o Today our celebration should be we are one day closer to being with God for all eternity.
o We celebrate the shared salvation we have received and the encouragement to look beyond these physical struggles
• They actively attached themselves to prayer
o Think about the power we will receive when we are one mind in prayer
o Pay attention to what “they said”
o Our focus in prayer should be what will God do through us as His children
o Exalting His name above every praise and blessing
o Prayer is always a mark of believers’ gathering
2. EVERY SOUL was filled with reverential fear/awe
• When it comes to the gathering of believers there is a sense of awe that is acknowledged by everyone because of the very presence of an Awesome God!
• The sense of awe is carried forward to the miraculous signs the Apostles were doing to prove the power of God’s Word
3. All Believers had everything in common
• Here is where the life of Jesus presses into the normal, daily, routine by drawing God’s people into the new
• God told Ezekiel, “A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will remove from your body the heart of stone.” (Ezekiel 36:26)
