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Building the Church through Unity Acts 2:41-47

In Acts 4 we have been looking at a picture of some of the characteristics that were found in the DNA of the New Testament church. It gives us an idea of what the church should be like. What are the marks or characteristics of a healthy church? Last week we looked at the importance of prayer. Let me just take a moment to say that many of us who came to pray last week on Monday were deeply moved by the experience. We will be doing it again tomorrow for anyone who wants to participate. Again from 6:00 to 7:30 in the morning and from 7:00 to 8:00 in the evening. What a tremendous sense of God’s presence was in this room. Today I want us to examine yet another characteristic found in the church. It’s a little word that is very powerful when it is practiced. Today we need to examine ourselves and our unity with other believers.

Two porcupines in northern Canada huddled together to get warm, according to forest folklore. But their quills pricked each other, so they moved apart. Before long they were shivering, so they sidled close again. Soon both were getting needled again. Same story; same ending. They needed each other, but they kept needling each other!

There’s a little limerick that I can’t seem to ever forget:

To dwell above with saints we love,
That will be grace and glory.
To live below with saints we know,
That’s quite another story!

Some people’s idea of unity reminds me of a story I found recently. A group of businessmen were marveling at an unusual zoo exhibition. In the same cage were a monkey and a lion. Seeing some possible lessons that might be translated to the business world, one supervisor asked, “How do they get along?” The zookeeper said, “Usually, okay.” Sometimes they have a disagreement, though, and we have to get a new monkey.”Adapted from Reader’s Digest, April 1994, p. 84

The fact of the matter is that anytime you put people together in a group you will have to work on keeping them together. When a church tries to function with friction it is like a car trying to run without oil. Psalm 133: “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! It is like the precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down upon the collar of his robe.”

For Christ followers to separate and nurse their unresolved conflicts without attempting reconciliation is a sign of incredible immaturity and spiritual infancy.

Jesus, knowing how critical it would be for His followers to be unified, prayed in John 17, “I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. . . may they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me.”

“Unity is the essence of the church. To be one with one another as Jesus is one with the Father is a matter of biblical obedience.” Chuck Colson

C.S. Lewis argued that this life is but a preparation for heaven, that there is a continuum from this life to the next. Since unity will be the condition of the church in heaven we should be preparing for it now, experiencing it as fully as possible.

That ought to be a sobering thought.

Unity prepares the way for evangelism. In the prayer of Jesus that I mentioned a few moments ago He prayed for unity that the world would come to believe in Him.

Unity validates our faith. If you and I don’t practice unity it raises serious questions about our seriousness in following Christ. Unity is not an option.

Disunity is rooted in sowing discord, endlessly criticizing others, continually finding and pointing out the faults of others, gossiping, and talking behind others backs. Disunity is promoted by people who are not practicing or living in the spirit of Christ.

Surely the Holy Spirit is grieved and handicapped when the church doesn’t get along.

In Acts 4 we read, “All the believers were one heart and mind.” Acts 4:32a

I would like to focus this message today on the description of the church found in Acts 2: 41-47

1. This Church was Spiritually Constructed by Christ.

The church in Acts 2 was not the work of man but the work of God. He made this church. He constructed it and put it together. In Matthew 16:18, Jesus promised that He would build His church and that the gates of hell would not even be able to stand against it. It was God who added to the church daily. How is a church formed? The message is presented, the Holy Spirit produces conviction, the Word is received, the miracle of the new birth takes place, and those who are born again are added to the church. When this happens the Lord's church is constructed by Him of believers, those who have received His Word, and who have been "added to the church" by Him. We allow God to build the church when we accept the mission that He gave us to do. In our case we are driven by our church mission which is to lead people into a growing relationship with God.

2. This Church was Seriously Committed to Christ.

The people in this section of scripture had heard the gospel as Peter had preached it; they had been convicted of their sin and had repented and received the Word, all this is described in Acts 2:37-40. But verse 41 follows verse 40! And in this verse we are told that those who received the Word "were baptized". What a tremendous baptismal service that must have been, for about 3,000 were baptized! What a glorious testimony this was to the power and grace of God! Here in these verses we have God's blueprint,

His picture of the early church, and we are told that when 3,000 were converted these 3,000 were baptized. All those who "gladly received His Word" were baptized. Why was this? They were baptized in obedience to the God's command found in Matthew 28:19-20: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of Father, Son and Holy Spirit.”

They were also baptized as an open confession that they had renounced their old life and were now trusting Christ as their Lord and Savior. Baptism does not make Christians, nor does the New Testament teach adult baptism, any more than we think it teaches infant baptism. In the early church, when people believed they were then baptized; believing and baptism always went together. It was a sign that they were seriously committed to Christ.

This morning we need to focus for a few minutes on the third point of this message.

3. This Church was Soundly United in Christ.

The key word in verse 44 is the word "together". They were different in age, background and temperament but now, having trusted Christ and been added to the church, "all the believers were together", which means that they were not only together in the sense that they were near to each other and with each other and in each other's presence, but they were "all one in Christ Jesus.”

Galatians 3:26-28. Notice how this "togetherness", this true unity in Christ, is described: “You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

They were sound because of their unity. Let’s look at the practical examples of how they live out unity in those heady days of God’s blessing on the church.

1. They stayed together.

"they devoted themselves..."

They were babies in the family of God, and together they "continued" and began to grow in grace. 2 Peter 3:18: “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

What a great thing it is when those who have accepted Christ as their Savior began to grow in their understanding and relationship with Him. That will only happen as the church unites around a common goal and practices life together.

2. They studied the Word together.

"they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching..”

They had no New Testament; they depended on the teaching the apostles gave. The greatest need today is for the church to be biblically literate. When you learn the Word together it promotes a unity of purpose and lifestyle. It promotes a unified approach to the principles of God’s word.

We must and are offering classes and different learning opportunities to understand the Bible. We must devote ourselves to learning together.

3. They spent time together.

"and they devoted ... to the fellowship ...",

To grow in our spiritual lives we must experience community together. The reason we are beginning to promote life groups is it will give us the opportunity to experience doing life together with a group of like minded people. There is nothing sweeter than enjoying the fellowship and company of other Christians. I don’t want to paint too rosy of a picture.

Community and fellowship within the body of Christ will sometimes chafe and bind and even hurt. Just like families. There are times when there needs to be a clearing of the air; an open and honest discussion. Christians who fellowship together will learn the importance of this. We will learn to practice the sharing of our lives together. Can I just stop for a moment and warn you of something that has crept into some peoples thinking.

While doing life together means that we have open and honest relationships it will still mean that we will not always agree on everything. Christian maturity and unity demands that we learn to tolerate people that might see things differently than ourselves. When someone doesn’t quite get it like you do for God’s sake and the sake of your fellowship with others don’t go over in the corner and pout. Learn and practice grace and unity.

C.S. Lewis: “The church is not a human society of people united by their natural affinities but the body of Christ, in which all members, however different, (and God rejoices in their differences and by no means wishes to iron them out) must share the common life, complementing and helping one another precisely by their differences.”

Neuhaus says that one should engage in “the most vigorous advocacy of what on believes to be right, but at the same time make a mutual pledge of allegiance to reverence one with another within the mystery of our being a people led by God toward that time in which we shall know even as we are known.”

4. They shared communion together.

They remembered Him "in breaking of bread". This was the very heart of their united worship. In just a few minutes we will have the opportunity to practice this act of unity within the body of Christ. I will have more to say about it then.

5. They sought God together.

Verse 42 tells us that "they devoted themselves ... in prayers". Have we drifted away from this early pattern! Read through Acts, and recapture the emphasis which is given there on the power and privilege and possibilities of prayer. As we continue to seek God together I believe that we will begin to witness His amazing grace and power demonstrated in the changed lives of mothers and fathers, children and teens. Young and old, rich and poor, it won’t matter because the ministry of this church will be surrounded by prayer.

6. They supported one another.

This is brought before us in verse 44, where we read of the grace of generosity that was very apparent among these early Christians. “All the believers were together and had everything in common.”

Is it a pattern for today? In the sermon on sharing we are going to look more closely at how we are to support one another.

Acts 20:35 “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

There is nothing better than gathering together and working to support others who are in need. We are going to have different ways of doing that over the next few weeks.

Disaster relief bags.
Operation Angel tree.
Thanksgiving Day
Food Pantry: Both working in it and at the very least giving to it.
Helping hands offering.

7. They spread the Message together.

What exciting reading verses 46 and 47 make! Has your love for the Lord, for His people, for His house and for His Word grown stale? Have you lost the excitement of being a Christian, the wonder of being "saved"? Nothing will correct a wandering and apathetic relationship with God like a renewal of your commitment to sharing the message.

Acts 2:46-47, “Everyday they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread together 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.”

A little boy was selling pencils door-to-door for a nickel each. He greeted a woman at the door and began his sales pitch. He said, “Ma’am, would you like to buy one or two pencils from me? I’m selling these pencils at five cents a piece to help build a $30 million hospital for our community.” She smiled and replied, “That’s a mighty big job for just one boy selling pencils for a nickel.” He then piped out with enthusiasm, “Oh, Ma’am, I’m not doing it all by myself. You see that boy across the street? He’s my partner. We’re doing this together!” Kingdom work can seem as impossible as constructing million-dollar buildings with nickel fund-raisers. But fortunately, we aren’t doing it all alone. There are others to help and the collective energy of every believer is empowered by God himself. Be All You Can Be, John Maxwell, 1987, p. 18

One of the most sacred practices that Christians can participate in is the Lord’s Supper. Communion was practiced and instructed by Christ Himself. We do this act in memory of Christ. The very thought that we have been asked and commanded by Jesus to do something in memory of Him should fill us with awe and reverence. Failing to treat this moment in your life without holy reverence is a grave error in judgment. This is the ultimate opportunity to practice unity.

There were three conditions set forth in Scripture that control your ability to partake in the Lord’s Supper.

First, only believers can partake. We ask this morning that you abstain from participating if you have not yet accepted Christ as your Savoir.

Second, believers partaking must be at peace with one another. You and I must examine our hearts and relationships with others this morning. May God help you and empower you as you take the steps necessary to be reconciled with fellow believers.

Third, believers dare not come to the table except with a repentant heart. The word says, “Whoever eats this bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner drinks judgment to himself.

And now let us prepare ourselves to come to the table of our Lord.

Prayer: John Wesley included this prayer in his Covenant Service:

“I am no longer my own, but Yours.
Put me to what You will.
Rank me with whom You will.
Put me to doing.
Let me be employed by You or laid aside for You.
Let me have all things,
Let me have nothing.
I freely and heartily yield all things to Your pleasure and disposal.
And now, O glorious and blessed God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
You are mine, and I am Yours.
So be it.
And the covenant which I have made on earth, Let it be ratified in heaven. Amen.

Jesus we come to you today acknowledging you as Savoir and Lord. As we approach the Lord’s table we come with an awareness that we should be conscious of where we stand with you and with others. We come today to remember Your body which was broken for us. We come today to rejoice in the salvation that you provide to all who repent and believe. We come today to repent over any known sin that is reigning in our lives. We face you table today and remember that we must be reconciled with our brothers and sisters before we can partake at your table. Call us to unity. Call us to stand undivided.

“Divine Savior, we come to Your sacred table to nourish ourselves, not with bread but with Yourself, true Bread of eternal life. Help us daily to make a good and perfect meal of this divine food. Let us be continually refreshed by the perfume of Your kindness and goodness. May the Holy Spirit fill us with His Love. Meanwhile, let us prepare a place for this holy food by emptying our hearts. Amen. ... by St. Francis de Sales

We now come to partake of the elements that Jesus instructed us to use. Let us enter into this time of communion.

The Lord Himself ordained this holy sacrament. He commanded His disciples to partake of the bread and wine, emblems of His broken body and shed blood. This is His table. The feast is for His disciples. Let all those who have with true repentance forsaken their sins, and have believed in Christ unto salvation, draw near and take these emblems, and, by faith, partake of the life of Jesus Christ, to your soul’s comfort and joy. Let us remember that it is the memorial of the death and passion of our Lord; also a token of His coming again. Let us not forget that we are one, at one table with the Lord.

2003/11/16