"Lessons from the First Church"
Acts 2:42-47 (NIV) They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Imagine for a moment you are living the story of the first church. The Too Familiar - has become overtaken with something new and different. So does that make it wrong that the right has been introduced? LOL. That's right, the church (Temple) as the early disciples knew was a pins and needles place. Don't you dare think about anything but the law! Now grace is introduced (which was there the whole time) and a movement is born or better yet the church God intended to be - was born. The first church devoted themselves to the apostle's teaching, fellowship, breaking bread and prayer.
When was the last time you witnessed a miracle? Look around people - Woodlake Church is a miracle unfolding. What was once half dead has healed and gaining strength (momentum) - day after day. They (the first church) sold their possessions and goods and they pooled their resources and gave as needed to the needs of the people. They met everyday - not just Sunday - but everyday. They did small groups in homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts. Everyday was a celebration!!!
So how can we apply the example of the First Church? The social barriers must be broken in which we as Americans live our lives. They sold everything - they were sold out to Jesus. So, do we go out and sell it all and move into the church? No! But we do sell Our Preference (letting go of tradition and stagnation; giving up what makes us comfortable) so that others can be reached, Our Pride (coming across the fence) and touching the lives of our neighbor; regardless of their social status, Our Investments in Ourselves to Investing in Others. With email and facebook and twitter and text messaging - the ability to stay connected day after day affords constant contact and communication. And technology is still emerging. When you pool your resources and organization then no one is left out.
Instead of working solo (or independent within the confines of the church)- we find crossover and unity with all ministries of the church and no one lacks for resources because together we see the need and fill the gap. There are no ministries within the church greater or less - but everything is united toward one cause - the Cause of Christ and Lives Changed. The church then begins to grow the way God intended. Too familiar becomes a thing of the past because everyday is new and exciting because people who need a Savior are finding acceptance and grace. Then a point is reached where you've run 120 people (gathered together in unity and prayer in an upper room) and suddenly you explode to 3000 overnight. So are the numbers important? They were important enough to be included in the scriptures, but more importantly the impact that can realized when things are done right.
mike
