The Church At Its Best
Tony Nester
Acts 2:42-47
Today we're going to see the Church at its best. Of
course, we're often not at our best. We easily fall
short of what we're called to be and do as the Church
over which Jesus Christ is Lord. But that's why it's
important that we have a picture in our minds of what
the Church is supposed to look like.
The picture we're looking at today is given to us in
Acts 2:42-47. Peter has just proclaimed the
resurrection of Jesus and invited those who had
crucified Jesus to turn from their sins and turn to
faith in Christ. The Scripture says that about 3,000
people did just that. They repented of their sin and
received forgiveness and were filled with the Holy
Spirit.
Now what? Well, now it was time for the Church to
become a reality. Here's how Luke describes it:
(Acts 2:42-47 NRSV) They devoted themselves to the
apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of
bread and the prayers. {43} Awe came upon everyone,
because many wonders and signs were being done by the
apostles. {44} All who believed were together and had
all things in common; {45} they would sell their
possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to
all, as any had need. {46} Day by day, as they spent
much time together in the temple, they broke bread at
home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts,
{47} praising God and having the goodwill of all the
people. And day by day the Lord added to their number
those who were being saved.
Verse 42 gives us a word that stamps the entire
passage with its forcefulness. That word is
"devoted":
(Acts 2:42 NRSV) They devoted themselves to the
apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of
bread and the prayers.
The Church began with fully devoted followers of
Christ.(1). This is the Church at its best - fully
devoted. Full of commitment.
I'm guessing that all of you would agree with me if I
sai ...
Tony Nester
Acts 2:42-47
Today we're going to see the Church at its best. Of
course, we're often not at our best. We easily fall
short of what we're called to be and do as the Church
over which Jesus Christ is Lord. But that's why it's
important that we have a picture in our minds of what
the Church is supposed to look like.
The picture we're looking at today is given to us in
Acts 2:42-47. Peter has just proclaimed the
resurrection of Jesus and invited those who had
crucified Jesus to turn from their sins and turn to
faith in Christ. The Scripture says that about 3,000
people did just that. They repented of their sin and
received forgiveness and were filled with the Holy
Spirit.
Now what? Well, now it was time for the Church to
become a reality. Here's how Luke describes it:
(Acts 2:42-47 NRSV) They devoted themselves to the
apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of
bread and the prayers. {43} Awe came upon everyone,
because many wonders and signs were being done by the
apostles. {44} All who believed were together and had
all things in common; {45} they would sell their
possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to
all, as any had need. {46} Day by day, as they spent
much time together in the temple, they broke bread at
home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts,
{47} praising God and having the goodwill of all the
people. And day by day the Lord added to their number
those who were being saved.
Verse 42 gives us a word that stamps the entire
passage with its forcefulness. That word is
"devoted":
(Acts 2:42 NRSV) They devoted themselves to the
apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of
bread and the prayers.
The Church began with fully devoted followers of
Christ.(1). This is the Church at its best - fully
devoted. Full of commitment.
I'm guessing that all of you would agree with me if I
sai ...
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