The First Church
Thesis: The New Testament church is a fellowship of believers who are accountable to each other and work together in ministry and missions.
The Disciples’ Consecration, vv. 23-31
A. Exegesis
- Saved People, vv. 8-12
- By Christ
- From sin
- Through persecution
- Same Purpose, v. 29–>preach boldly the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
- Supernatural Power, vv. 29-31, through prayer
- Filled with the Holy Spirit
- Enabled by the Holy Spirit
- Moved by the Holy Spirit
B. Illustration
Jonathan Edwards was a brilliant theologian whose sermons sparked the revival known as “The Great Awakening.” One sermon in particular, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,” moved thousands to repentance and salvation.
From a human standpoint, it seems incredible. Edwards did not have an impressive delivery. He read his sermons from a manuscript, word-for-word.
Few know the spiritual preparation involved in that sermon. “For 3 days, Edwards did not eat one morsel of food; for 3 nights he did not sleep. Over and over again he was heard to pray, ‘O Lord, give me New England! Give me New England!’ When he arose from his knees and made his way to the pulpit that Sunday, he looked as if he had been gazing straight into the face of God. Even before he began to speak, tremendous conviction fell upon his audience.”
C. Application
A New Testament Church is a church that eagerly obeys the will of God, instead of the preferred wishes and wants of individuals.
The Disciples’ Cooperation, vv. 32-33
A. Exegesis
- One heart = all had mutual feelings to each other; no personal property or agendas: “No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own,” v. 32.
- One Mind-Soul = surrendered to the Lordship of Christ
- One Desire = to be a witness of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
B. Illustration
When geese head south for the winter, they fly in a V formation. As each bird flaps it wings, it creates an uplift for the bird immediately following. By flying in a V formation, the whole flock adds a 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own.
Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go it alone, and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front.
When the lead goose gets tired, he rotates back in the wing and another goose flies point. The geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed. Finally, when a goose gets sick or is wounded by a shot and falls out, two geese fall out of formation and follow him down to help and protect him. They stay with him until he is either able to fly, or until he is dead, and then they launch out on their own or with another formation.
Christians who share a common direction and a sense of community can get where they are going quicker and easier because they are traveling on the thrust of one another.
If we have as much sense as a goose, we will stay in formation with those who are headed the same way we are going.
It pays to take turns doing hard jobs–with people at church.
What do we say when we honk from behind? Are we encouraging or discouraging? Are we building up or tearing down?
C. Application
A New Testament church is unified in its mission.
The Disciples’ Compassion, vv. 34-37, through Sharing
A. Exegesis–>this was not a “Christian commune” or socialism.
- Voluntarily selling one’s property and dedicated to God to be distributed by the apostle or the church.
- Barnabas honored for his voluntary act of charity.
- Annanias’ and Sapphira’s sin was lying, not giving the whole amount of the sale of their property.
B. Illustration
The Christians in a Haiti church service were all smiles as they put their coins in the offering plate. When someone commented about this, he was told that these country people, most of whom lived in small huts, were delighted to have something to share with others. This concept of freely sharing had become part of the fabric of their lives since they became believers.
One of the Haitian believers said, “We have a saying: ‘If I have something today, I’ll share it with others. Then tomorrow, when I have nothing, they may be able to share with me.'” They gave cheerfully, knowing that God would take care of their needs.
C. Application
A New Testament church is a local fellowship of believers who hold each other accountable and work together in ministry and missions.