CHURCH IS ESSENTIAL
Acts
2:42-47
Life in the local church is about doing “Life together” It’s not about…. individuals’ getting their spiritual high; but it’s a place to gather together for the purpose to worship our great God and King. “Life together” is those who heard and responded to the message of salvation through the gift of faith in Christ. The church is not a building of brick and wood, but rather a place for God’s sons and daughters, to come and do life together. The Book of Acts is the “church age begun” after Jesus’ Ascension. In Acts 1 we see the prophetic promise that Jesus gave to the group about the mighty power of the Holy Spirit coming upon the saints. Acts 1 1:8-11. We see this prophecy fulfilled and the beginning of the church age. Acts 2:1-4. The church didn’t begin…. in some obscure manner, in some out of the way place. Rather! It was born with a startling, dramatic event in the very heart of Jerusalem. The day of Pentecost found the believers “all together” in one place. All 120 of them as we read in Act 1:15. The church was born. God’s, “called out ones” doing life together. It’s a place that experiences: tragedies, triumphs, sorrows, and joys.
Stephen Nichols said, “As we come into the church we sometimes imagine that there will be no problems, no conflicts, and no frustrations among our community of saints. But we forget that we are a community of flawed people, still burdened by our imperfections and failures and sins. It is precisely because of our flaws and faults that we need each other.”
The Book of Acts is a story of the beginning churches….not always perfect, persecuted for the gospel……..but BOLD for the gospel. Acts 2:42-47 give us a glimpse into how our church family is to function by His grace for His glory. See the church is a family! “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise.” Gal 3:28-29. What “promise”? The promise that was spoken to Abram by God in a vision. “And behold, the word of the LORD came to him:…. He brought him outside and said, "Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them." Then he said to him, "So shall your offspring be." And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness.” Gen 15:4-6. The local church is a visible, tangible, real world expression of the body of Christ.
Why is church essential?
1. Church Is Essential Because This Is Where We Learn And Study The Bible. (v42)
This body of believers devoted themselves at the top of their list to learning and studying. A spirit-filled church always studies the Apostle’s teachings as you see throughout the Book of Acts. Considering Peter’s opening words. “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words.” Acts 2:14. In Acts 4 Peter and John are standing before the Council “Because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.” Acts 4:2. Consider Paul…..”And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.” Acts 18:11. In Acts 19:10 we read this, “This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.”
Our devotion is to continue, be steadfast in the Scriptures. Scripture is food for the believer’s growth and power and there is no other.
The church cannot operate on
truth
if it is not taught.
Believers cannot function on principles they have not learned. The most noble are who? “Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.” Acts 17:11
There are critics that say “If only the church would lay aside their doctrines and come together, think how we could reach the world for Jesus.” These are people who are content, complacent, to say “I am ok will just the milk as I wait for eternity.” But as Peter said “Grow Up because now is the time for the pure teaching of His word.” Peter said this, “So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.” 1 Peter 2:1-3
Paul said this about this type of person in the church, “But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, for you are still of the flesh.” 1 Cor 3:1-3
“All true spiritual awakening
involves
healthy teaching from it.”
A commitment to the Apostle’s teaching is foundational to growth and spiritual health of every church. We see the power of God’s Word in action when Ezra read Scriptures. “And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was above all the people, and as he opened it all the people stood. And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God, and all the people answered, "Amen, Amen," lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.” Ezra 8:5-6
Sound doctrine… there is no substitute for it. “Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.” 1 Tim 4:16. Paul said to Titus, “But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.” Titus 2:1
A healthy church begins with a healthy diet of sound
doctrine. No matter what might happen to you and me in the process. “So they called them and
charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and
John answered them, "Whether it is
right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge,
for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard." Acts 4:18-20
2. Church Is Essential Because This Is Where Believers Come To Fellowship
Together. (v42)
“Devoted” implies work and accountability as we come together. Community involves two-way commitment, which involves hard work of doing life together.
John MacArthur said,
“The church is not a physical building,
but a group of believers; not a denomination, sect, or association, but a
spiritual body. The church is not an organization, but a communion, a fellowship
that includes believers.”
The Bible uses the Greek word “Koinonia” to describe fellowship within the Body of Christ. That word means “Participation with others in a common purpose.” The Latin equivalent is “Communion”, pointing to the communion that shared with other believers as well as with God. It is your spiritual duty to stimulate each other to holiness and faithfulness.
It’s called “the One Another’s” or doing “Life Together”
Examples of One Anothers:
John 13:34, 35; John 15:12, 17; Rom 12:10; Gal 6:2; 1 Thess 3:12; 1 Peter 1:22;
1 John 3:11, 23; 1 John 4:7, 11, 12; 2 John 1:5
“These things I command you,
so that you will love
one another.” John 15:17
Bonhoeffer said
“The physical presence of other
Christians is a source of incomparable joy and strength to the believer.”
What does God desire for the fellowship? Unity…… in the fundamentals of the Holy Scriptures. Turn to Ephesian 4:2-3…. because this promotes this type of unity and fellowship amoung the saints. “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Eph 4:1-3
For a Christian to fail to
participate in the life of
a local church is inexcusable.
To do so, is contrary and disobedience according to the Scriptures. “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Heb 10:23-25
While it’s challenging to cultivate and maintain edifying fellowship, it’s also an amazing blessing that we within the church enjoy. To spend time together with our brother and sisters in Christ. We are too actively be a part of one another’s life as we await His glorious return. Fellowship of the saints is pre-requisite for each of us and we are to be actively and intimately involved in this body of Christ.
3. Church Is Essential Because This Is Where Believers Come
Together In Remembrance Of His Great Sacrifice. (v42)
When
we gather together we remember what a great and holy privilege is to hear the Word,
to sing songs of praise, and to enjoy the Lord’s Supper as a community. Our fellowship is symbolized by obedience to the spiritual duty of the “Breaking of Bread” The church reflects upon His torn body and pouring out blood of Christ. This duty is not optional, since our Lord commanded it to the believers. “For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, "This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.” 1 Cor 11:23-26
We come together in unity of communion because of the gospel. “The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.” 1 Cor 10:16-17
We meet at the table on the grounds of the finished work in Christ at the cross. Communion acknowledges the wondrous work of the Lord Jesus on the cross. Communion calls the believer for self-examination and eradication of sin. John MacArthur said, “Nothing is more vital to the church’s ongoing, regular confrontation of sins in the lives of its people than the thoughtful expression of devotion to the remembrance of the Cross.”
4. Church Is Essential Because This Is Where We Share Life
Together Though The Avenue Of Prayer. (v42)
Praying for one another and the lost outside the protection of Christ’s righteousness. The church is eager and is persistently engaged in the duty of prayer. This prayer is not just for individually or private; here it’s speaking of corporately doing “life together”. A great example of corporate prayer is found in Acts 4:23:31 (please turn there) after Peter and John told the church what had happened. The first church knew the critical importance of pursuing their spiritual duties for one another in the prayer…corporately.
A healthy church is a praying church.
Unlike the early church the 21 first century church has neglected this this for the sake of time, entertainment or the testimonies of famous people, to draw crowds. Unlike the early church we have forgotten the biblical commands to pray at all times. Leonard Ravenhill said, “The true man of God is heartsick, grieved at the worldliness of the Church…grieved at the toleration of sin in the Church, grieved at the prayerlessness in the Church. He is disturbed that the corporate prayer of the Church no longer pulls down the strongholds of the devil.”
In Luke 18:1 we read this “And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.” We are to be a people devoted to prayer, “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” Rom 12:12. Paul said, “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.” Col 4:2
The early church had less earthly resources, but they
turned
the world upside down.
Why? Because they trusted in the Word of God in how govern the local church. We are to be a baptized community on the promises of God and the gospel. Robert Godfrey said this about the church, “Bring them in and build them up.” Why Because Jesus said to disciples “…teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always (I am with you every step of the way), to the end of the age." Matt 28:19-20.
This is what the church had in common
Christ who is first stone set in the construction of a foundation. And if that stone is no laid first, then this place isn’t a church at all. Everything will be off center or the measurement will be drastically skewed.
If that happens then what we call “church” is nothing more than:
A Social
club
Hunting
club
Knitting
club
Adult
Theater
A Day Care
Or
A cleaner version of the Legion Club. The so-called church is nothing more than a place that has a few morals and rules to join.
See! The early church blue-print was built upon the First Stone, who is the Cornerstone of the true church.
They all things in common because….. They devoted themselves to doctrine and theology. They devoted themselves to the pure joy of the fellowship with saints. They devoted themselves to remembrance of His great sacrifice through Lord’s Table together. They devoted themselves to the corporate prayers of the saints. The Four Pillars that hold a church together throughout… all trials, all sufferings, all circumstances and every joyful tear of grace. The gospel calls us to come in through our new identities; and we do that by devoting ourselves to the body of Christ here. As we wait this Great King to return in spectacular fashion, as He did when He left before the church was established.
Why Are We Here?
Because.... You know the Church is Essential.
And Christ is coming back for
His church, His bride;
who He is preparing for His glorious return..
As Paul said “…..as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.” Eph 5:25-27
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