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Have you wondered what a healthy Christian community looks like? By the end of Acts chapter 2 the infant church is growing, having just received the promised Holy Spirit. Luke writes this beautiful description of the early church, its emphases and activity.

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

(Acts 2:42-47, NIV)

There is the amazing work of God seen in ‘wonders and signs’; the people are together, meeting the needs of others by sharing wealth and possessions. They meet in homes, share meals and meet publicly too. This wonderful love for God and for one another results in praise to the Lord and favour shown to them by the people of Jerusalem.

Notice how all this seems to flow from the things to which they had devoted themselves.

  1. The apostles’ teaching
  2. Fellowship
  3. The breaking of bread
  4. Prayer

The idea of devotion is that this Christian community was continually engaged in these activities. It is what life consisted of! Let us be encouraged to be a learning, loving and prayerful community. May we not be satisfied with mere socialising with fellow believers, but let’s enjoy fellowship. Lives and homes are being opened to each other. Needs of those around are being met. Life isn’t self-focused.

Lastly, notice how it is the Lord who saves. He builds His church. He does that work. Our job is faithfulness for Jesus’ glory, for our joy and for the blessing of those around us.

 

PRAYER & PRAISE

I waited patiently for the Lord, He turned to me and heard my cry.

Psalm 40:1 

  • You are creator God, worthy of all praise and honour, thank You that we are the sheep of Your pasture.
  • Thank You for Your loving care, and for Your kindness that leads us to repentance.
  • Thank You for the glimpse of Your holiness, majesty and power that we see in the book of Revelation.
  • Thank you for the Myanmar Christian Fellowship who will be joining us this Sunday.
  • Father, we bring the little children to You, thank you that you welcome them, but there are many who are hurting in all sorts of ways. Please give us hearts like Yours for them… the great Rescuer.
  • Thank you for our Pastors, Deacons and Elders - please help them stay close to You.