Conversion does not stand alone; it is the beginning of a lifelong journey of growing in Christ and being conformed to his image. Discipleship must follow on conversion as living and breathing follow on birth.
The goal of conversion is nothing less than loving God with all one’s will, emotions, and thinking, whereas previously all of these faculties were engaged in self-love.
– David Wells in Turning to God
In Acts 3, Peter and John come across a lame man whom they serve by healing in Jesus’ name. The result is praise to God and an opportunity to share the gospel. Their example suggests several principles for us as we seek to serve others:
Here is an interesting virtual reconstruction of the Temple Mount in Jesus’ Day:
In Acts 2:42, the early church devoted themselves to prayer. The context is the church. They were devoted to praying together. What about us? Are we devoted to meeting together for prayer? Do we love God and his people so much that we want to gather together before the throne? What is our attitude? Are we devoted? How might we grow in our devotion to praying together?
Only if you are part of a community of believers seeking to resemble, serve,
and love Jesus will you ever get to know him and grow into his likeness.
– Tim Keller
Be united with other Christians. A wall with loose bricks is not good.
The bricks must be cemented together.
– Corrie Ten Boom
When people leave a church because they do not fit the program,
it communicates a deadly message: that our commitment is to the work
and not to the person, that our unity is primarily in the work
and not in Christ and the gospel.
– Ajith Fernando
When you choose a church you are choosing the people
you want to have around you when you die.
– Arthur Holmes
In Acts 2:42, the early church devoted themselves to the breaking of bread. There is some debate as to whether this refers to simply eating meals together (part of their devotion to fellowship) or to the Lord’s Supper. As the Lord’s Supper was often connected to eating together (see I Corinthians 11), the answer might be both. As we already addressed their devotion to fellowship, let’s consider briefly their devotion to the Lord’s Supper.
As Jesus commanded, they were devoted to coming together to celebrate the Lord’s Supper. They came together to remember Christ’s death for them. We too need this devotion. We too need to regularly remember what Christ has done for us. Indeed Christ’s sacrifice for us is a large part of our motivation for the other three devotions, and all of our devotion.
He died for me. In amazement and gratitude, I’ll live for him.
Here are some good posts for pastors:
It’s A Strange Thing Being A Pastor – Julian Freeman
Ultimately we labour and long for results that we can never achieve. Being a pastor is a lifelong journey to a place of utter dependence. This is strange work, being a pastor. But I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
7 Ways I Want To Improve As A Pastor – Ron Edmondson
Pray more fervently – I believe in prayer. I want to be a person of prayer.
People Want A Pastor – Interview by Colllin Hansen
What are the costs of bigger and better church programs for every stage of life? What is the pastor’s role in relation to the members?
3 Reflections on Leading Your Family Well – Dustin Neeley
At our house, we call them “Monday Funday.” It is the day we play outside, eat Chinese food at a mall, and don’t talk about the church. Our church knows about “Monday Funday” because I mention it in sermons, tweet about it, schedule around it, and unless someone is bleeding out in their kitchen, I do my best not to violate it.
Waterfall near the Manistee River in Michigan
The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
– Psalm 19:1
For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature,
have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world,
in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
– Romans 1:20
Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:
Helpless Sacks of Sand – Tim Challies
The fundamental reality of sleep is that it assures us that we are not God. Apparently we all need the ongoing reminder.
Who’s Side Are You On? – Matthew Wynne
We mustn’t ask God to be on our team, we must ask to be on His. He is the Lord Almighty!
Perfect Your Work Within Our Hearts – Charles Spurgeon (via Kingdom People)
Perfect your work within our hearts.
We are saved, but we would be saved from sin of every form and degree;
from sins that lie within, and we are scarcely aware that they are there.
Prayer For The Ministry Of The Word – Tim Challies
There are a few hymns—just a few—that have been written to be sung as a petition to God immediately before the minister opens God’s Word. A favorite of mine is John Newton’s “Prayer for the Ministry of the Word.”
Hope you have a great Lord’s Day worshipping the Lord with His people!
In Acts 2:42, the church devoted themselves to the fellowship. Fellowship has the idea of sharing – both sharing with and sharing together.
Verses 44-45 describe the sharing with. They were generous. They shared what they had with each other, and especially with those in need. They weren’t clinging to their stuff, but were willing to share, to even sell what they had to give to those in need. We need this generosity today – not only for the good of each other, but to break free of the materialism that grips our land. Generosity opens our clutching hands; it teaches us to give instead of hoard. We too need to be devoted to the fellowship – generously sharing with others.
Verse 46 describes their sharing together. They came together publicly (in the temple) and privately (in their homes). They gathered together regularly. They spent time together. They shared their lives together. Part of this sharing together was eating together. We like to joke about fellowship being tied to food, but fellowship is often tied to food in the Bible. Jesus is always eating with people. And here, the early church is eating together. Eating together implies friendship, a relationship. Refusing to eat with someone shows division. So we eat together in part to show our unity with one another. We need to make time in our busy lives to eat together, to do things together, to do life together. We too need to be devoted to the fellowship – sharing our lives together.
Verses 46-47 go on to tell us that they ate together with glad and generous hearts, praising God. Fellowship was a joyful thing for them. They delighted in one another. They enjoyed coming together. They praised the Lord for each other. Is that your attitude? Are your sharing together? Are you sharing with? Are you devoted? How might you need to grow in your devotion?
