What is your church doing? #1

Heard a great sermon yesterday from my Pastor about what the early church was doing. all of our churches seem to have plenty of programs and ideas. We need to go back and look at the basics, what was the early church doing? This is what we need to be doing! So let's take a look at the early church see:

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.


So lets pull several things that the early church was doing:


1. Teaching God's Word: v.42 This should be a priority in ALL churches. We see the early church was devoted to "apostles' teaching". The apostles were teaching them what Jesus had done and taught. If we are not learning the Word then we are not any where close where God wants us to be as individual believers and as churches.


2. Fellowship: v.42 For those who think they can be devout followers of Chrisy with our being involved in a group of believers, here is another example of what the early church was doing thus an example for us. Togetherness is a must for believers. Encouraging each other, bearing each others burdens, celebrating victories, and loving each other. Believers are to be there for one another, and to do the work of God. Fellowship is not an option it is a valid teaching of the bible. Get involved if you are not!


3.Breaking of bread: v.42 The early church celebrated the breaking of bread otherwise known as The Lord's Supper or communion. Yes this was a important part of the early church and should be with our churches. Remembering what Jesus has done for us as described here:


Luke 22:14-20

14 And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him. 15 And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. 18 For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 20 And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.


Jesus said "Do this in remembrance of me." The early church did and so should the church now to be reminded of what Jesus did for us!


4. Prayers: v.42 Obviously praying was a big part of the early church. This is our communication line with God. Look at this verse:


1 Thessalonians 5:17
pray without ceasing,


We are to remain in an attitude of prayer all the time, as an individual and as the church! For needs and to reach the lost should be our main focus in prayers.


5. Met needs: v.45 This was a major purpose of the early church. Is it for us? This one may hurt a bit when we really think about it. We are greedy! We like our stuff, our money, mine, mine mine! But when we look at the early church this was not the way they operated. The Word says they sold all their stuff except what they needed to meet their own personal needs and then they met the needs of others! Wow! Now remember their needs are not their wants! Hmmmmm. Just think on that a while. If the universal church operated like this how would it change our world? How many lives would be reached for Jesus because others would see our love? We like our wants though don't we? Like I said this one hurts if we are honest with ourselves.


So are we living like the early church? What changes need to be made? Think about this and then act upon it! Tomorrow we will look the second half of the list.


Tom