Sermon Recap — October 3, 2021

A Church Consumed With God

Jeremy Bell
October 3, 2021
Acts 2:42-47
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Acts 2:42–47 [42] And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. [43] And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. [44] And all who believed were together and had all things in common. [45] And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. [46] And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, [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. (ESV)

• Illustration: Glasses
• We at times, need our vision restored.
• Our vision for the church, over time and with our experiences, can get blurry and unclear.
• I trust this passage will help restore our vision for the kind of community that God intends for us to help continue to build.

1. A Growing Body (verses 42-43)

• This was a spiritually growing body of believers.
• They were devoted to
  • The Apostles teaching
  • Fellowship with others
  • Breaking bread
  • Prayer

2. A Loving Body (verses 44-46)

• They were all “together”
• United in purpose
• United in affection for their Lord
• United in their love for one another

Though some people have referred to this situation as ‘early communism’, this is clearly not the case, since (1) the giving was voluntary and not compelled by the government, and (2) people still had personal possessions, because they still met in “their homes” (v.46) and many others still owned homes. Further, Peter told Ananias and Sapphira that they did not have any obligation to sell their property and give away the money (Acts 5:4). In contrast to communist theory, the abolition of private property is not commanded or implied here.”
– ESV Study Bible

• They were all “together”
• United in purpose
• United in affection for their Lord
• United in their love for one another

3. A Worshipping Body (verses 46-47)

• Public worship was a joy for these folks; it was a happy priority
• They had been forgiven their sins by God, and they loved to praise the Lord that removed the stain of their guilt
• It doesn’t appear that they felt obligation to do this, but rather it was the overflow of their transformed hearts
• And this gratitude for the forgiveness they received spilled over into every area of their hearts
  • They worshipped the Lord in the temple
  • They worshipped the Lord as they ate their food
  • They had “glad and generous hearts”
• They were happy! They had glad hearts!

“According to my judgment the most important point to be attended to is this: above all things see to it that your souls are happy in the Lord. Other things may press upon you, the Lord’s work may even have urgent claims on your attention, but I deliberately repeat, it is of supreme and paramount importance that you should seek above all things to have your souls truly happy in God Himself! Day by day seek to make this the most important business of your life.” – George Muller

“Learn much of the Lord Jesus. For every look at yourself, take ten looks at Christ. He is altogether lovey. Such infinite majesty, and yet such meekness and grace, and all for sinners, even the chief. Live much in the smiles of God. Bask in His beams. Feel His all-seeing eye settled on you in love, and repose in His mighty arms… Let your soul be filled with a heart-ravishing sense of the sweetness and excellency of Christ and all that is in Him.” – Robert Murray M’Cheyne

Questions for Discussion/Application

• Re-read the text, Acts 2:1-13. What initial observations and insights do you have from reading this text?
• Over the years, how has fellowship in the church been a blessing to you? How has it ministered to you?
• When you read the picture of fellowship in these verses, how does it inspire you and encourage you?
• Verse 42 says [42] And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
  • Generally speaking, what do you think it looks like practically for believers to be devoted to each of these things?
    • The teaching of God’s Word
    • Fellowship with one another/breaking bread
    • Prayer
• How can we grow in our devotion/commitment to the teaching of God’s Word?
• How can we grow in pursuing true fellowship with one another?
• How can we grow in praying together?
• Consider taking time to pray and thank God for His grace in producing true fellowship among us and ask God to help us grow in our devotion to His Word, to fellowship and to prayer.