The Church ~ 20220123 ~ Pastor Rodney Zedicher ~ Ephraim Church of the Bible ~ www.ephraimbible.org
01/23 – The Church; Devoted to Teaching and Fellowship; Audio available at: http://www.ephraimbible.org/Sermons/20220123_the-church.mp3
Supernatural Community
Last week we looked at the church as a supernatural Holy Spirit wrought unity, an organism, a body of diverse and unique believers knit together by the work of the Holy Spirit opening blind eyes, giving us new birth and new life, immersing us individually into one body in Christ. The Spirit of God makes us part of something bigger than ourselves.
We saw at the end of Luke and the beginning of Acts that Jesus commanded his disciples to make disciples of all nations, but not to go out and attempt this in their own strength; rather to wait. Wait for the promise of the Father, wait to be clothed with power from on high, wait for the baptism of the Holy Spirit. The disciples were all together in the upper room, and the Holy Spirit fell, and what happened caused crowds to gather to see what was going on, and Peter took the opportunity to preach about Jesus, his life, death and resurrection.
He concludes his message:
Acts 2:36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
Then we read:
Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
This is evidence that the Holy Spirit was at work through the words of the apostle. The Spirit brought an awareness of their sin against God, conviction of sin, and a hunger to be right with God. God gave them the gift of a responsive heart to the gospel message; God gave them the gift of repentance.
Acts 2:37 ...“Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” 40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
Jesus promised to build his church. This is Jesus at work by the Holy Spirit opening hearts to the gospel, granting repentance and faith, baptizing people into the body of Christ, adding believing souls to his church. The church is a supernatural Spirit wrought organism.
What The Church Is About
What comes next in Acts 2 tells us what this newly birthed church was about, what they devoted themselves to, what they held to be essential. And this is written for us, to instruct us in what we are to focus on, to remind us as the church of what we are to be about, what we ought to devote ourselves to. Listen to the text:
Acts 2:42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Devoted To (προσκαρτερέω)
They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles, and the fellowship, the breaking of bread and the prayers. They devoted themselves to these things; they persevered in, they were constantly diligent and faithful; literally they were strong toward. This word is used in Acts 1:14 to describe what the disciples together with the women who followed Jesus were doing in the upper room after the ascension of Jesus; ‘they were devoting themselves to prayer.’ In Acts 6 this word is used when the apostles said “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables” (Ac.6:2). Deacons, men of good repute, full of the Spirit and wisdom should be appointed to serve;
Acts 6:4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
In Mark 3:9, Jesus tells his disciples to have a boat standing ready for him, set apart, devoted exclusively to his use, so he could escape being crushed by the crowds.
Romans 13 tells us to pay our taxes so that our governing authorities as God’s servants can devote themselves to pursuing justice, defending the innocent and carrying out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer (13:6).
Romans 12 and Colossians 4 both use this word to tell us to ‘be constant in’ or ‘continue steadfastly in’ prayer.
This is a strong word. This is what we are to be about, to undistractedly focus our attention on, to give ourselves to, to set other things, even good things aside so that we can attend earnestly to these things.
The Apostles’ Teaching
What things?
Acts 2:42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching. The teaching was primary. In their day, the apostles were alive and were teaching, and the church devoted themselves to their teaching. They listened diligently, and even wrote it down, word for word. The book of Acts is punctuated throughout with transcripts of sermons the apostles preached. The necessary qualifications for this ministry of apostleship according to Acts 1 was:
Acts 1:21 So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.”
Peter communicates this unique apostolic role as eyewitnesses to the life, death and resurrection of Jesus to Cornelius in Acts 10.
Acts 10:40 but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, 41 not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead.
Jesus met with his disciples after his resurrection;
Luke 24:45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things.
Peter himself, toward the end of his life (AD 64-67?) writes:
2 Peter 1:12 Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. 13 I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, 14 since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. 15 And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things. 16 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” 18 we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain.
Peter, aware his own death was drawing near, didn’t appoint a successor, but wrote a letter, so that after he is gone, the believers ‘may be able at any time to recall these things.’
Ephesians 2 tells us that the church, the household of God is
Ephesians 2:20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,
Today we have the written record of apostolic teaching, and we can devote ourselves to hearing and obeying the apostles’ teaching.
The Fellowship
Acts 2:42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
They devoted themselves secondly to the fellowship. The koinonia, the communion, the community, the sharing. Diverse people were immersed into one body by the Holy Spirit, made one in Christ, and they devoted themselves to one another. They enjoyed the fellowship.
What is fellowship? It’s not just catching up on the weather and sports and news and your opinions on politics and whats going on in your family and other happenings; I can scroll your social media feed to find all that out. What is true Christian fellowship?
I think the rest of this passage actually helps clarify for us what authentic and distinctly Christian fellowship is. This passage lists four things the church was devoted to; the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, the breaking of bread and the prayers. Those are four things the church was devoted to, but are they four distinct things, or are they two things, and the second thing is further defined and clarified by two other things? If there are two primary things; the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, then the next two things; the breaking of the bread and the prayers help us understand what true Christian fellowship consists of.
The Breaking of the Bread
True fellowship is a visceral experience of our connectedness by the Holy Spirit in this one body. We experience this unity when we break bread together. This expression can simply mean to have a meal together, and it is also used more specifically to point to remembering Jesus in communion; when Jesus:
Luke 22:19 And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 20 And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.
This is an essential part of our body life together – remembering Jesus, the gospel that makes us one. When we come back to the cross and remind ourselves and each other over and over and over again of the good news that Jesus died for sinners like me and like you, and we have a place at his table, not by our own worthiness or merit, but only by his gracious undeserved invitation, it keeps us humble and keeps us looking at each other in the proper light. I am so desperately wicked and my heart is naturally so evil that Jesus’ own body had to be broken to pay my price. I am not competing with anyone else; I am not better than anyone else; I am here by invitation of the King, by sheer undeserved grace. We have that in common. In Jesus, we have communion with one another. We have been brought near by the blood of Christ. We together are reconciled to God in one body through the cross. Through Jesus we both have access in one Spirit to the Father (Eph.2:13,16,18)
The Prayers
And that is a second thing that defines genuine Christian fellowship; the prayers. In Jesus every one of us has access in one Spirit to the Father. We can enter his presence with thanksgiving and praise. And we have access to speak to the triune God on behalf of one another. We can make intercession, we can pray for one another. We can bear one another’s burdens; I can take your burdens that are to heavy for you to carry alone, and you can take my burdens directly into the presence of God. Ephesians 6 instructs us to:
Ephesians 6:18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
Colossians 4 tells us of:
Colossians 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.
This is true Christian unity and community, praying for one another, fighting for one another in prayer. Try this: if you are hurt or offended or irritated by someone, if you have ill feelings toward a brother or sister, pray for them. Not that God would strike them down and that they would get what they deserve. Remember, you have access by faith into this grace in which you stand. Remember, you don’t want what you deserve. You are a sinner and you have access to pray to the Father by grace alone, through the blood of Christ. Really pray for them, and see if that doesn’t change the way you feel about them, and increase the unity and community that you experience with them.
Acts 2:42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
Devote yourself to the apostles’ teaching. Devote yourself to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
Evangelistic Community
Let’s look briefly at the rest of this passage.
Acts 2:43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Notice the church didn’t devote itself to evangelism. But a healthy church devoted to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers is evangelistic and naturally reproduces. This is what Jesus said:
John 13:35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Awe and wonder came upon everyone. The church that is devoted to biblical teaching and true Christian fellowship draws the attention of unbelievers.
Many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles, but the signs and wonders weren’t the focus. The church was not devoted to the wonders and signs of the apostles; they were devoted to the teaching of the apostles. The signs and wonders served to draw attention to the teaching, to who Jesus is. In the next chapter, we see Peter and John healing a lame man, which drew a crowd, and they took the opportunity to preach the good news about Jesus, and called people to turn to Jesus to experience forgiveness.
All who believed were together and had all things in common. This is demonstration of the fellowship created by the Holy Spirit. Because we are made one in Christ, we want to be together. We like being together. We enjoy spending time with others who belong to Jesus.
And we care about one another. Because we are adopted into the same family, we have a family bond, and we look out for one another. If one of us is in trouble, we do what we can to help out.
‘And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.’ This affirms that individuals owned property and belongings, and that they were free to sell them and do what they wanted with the proceeds. That is confirmed by what Peter says to Ananias and Sapphira in chapter 5. This was not coerced or compulsory. This is what they wanted to do. At the end of chapter 4 it says:
Acts 4:32 Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.
Fellowship meant caring practically, tangibly for one another. In love serving one another. Back to chapter 2:
Acts 2:46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
They wanted to be together. They attended public worship together. They gathered in one another’s homes. They ate together. They were characterized by joy and generosity and worship. And Jesus was building his church. ‘the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.’
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2022.01.23 Sermon Notes
The Church – Devoted To Teaching and Fellowship
Devoted; strong or earnest toward, constantly diligent in, persevere in, be faithful to
Acts 1:14; 6:2-4; Mark 3:9; Romans 13:6; 12:12; Colossians 4:2
What is the church to be devoted to? Acts 2:42
-The teaching of the apostles
Acts 1:21-22; 10:40-42; Luke 24:45-48; 2 Peter 1:12-18; Ephesians 2:20
-The Fellowship; communion, community
-The breaking of the bread
Luke 22:19-20; Ephesians 2:13-18
-The prayers
Ephesians 6:18-20; Colossians 4:12
Healthy churches reproduce
John 13:35; Acts 2:47
Healthy churches want to be together
Acts 2:44, 46
Healthy churches love and serve one another
Acts 2:45; 4:32-35
Healthy churches are joyful, generous and worshiping
Acts 2:46-47
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Pastor Rodney Zedicher ~ Ephraim Church of the Bible ~ www.ephraimbible.org