This Day in History: 0000-07-17
July 17 – Acts 2:42-47
All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity – all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.
How much can we say we look like this first picture of the New Testament church in organized form? When we gather to “do church” how much of what we do matches what they did? How do our priorities line up with theirs? Friends, I fear we’ve too often lost sight of what should matter to us. I fear we’ve become comfortable, complacent, and perhaps even entitled in the body of Christ.
How this must hurt the heart of the One who gave His life in order to unite us to Himself. It cannot be what He wants for His church! Let’s look to this early example and ask God to awaken our hearts for Him and align our wills to His purposes and plans!
Devoted. That’s the word that just keeps hitting me hard. All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Super), and to prayer. Are we devoted to these things? Have we given ourselves over to the study of God’s Word? Have we given all of ourselves to fellowship with our brothers and sisters? Do we share our resources without reservation? Do we highly prioritize time to be obedient to the things God has corporately asked of us, like observing the Lord’s Supper, or baptism, or meeting together in order to encourage one another and spur each other on to love and good works? Do we commit our time – unhindered – to praying for one another? Are we devoted to His church? His body? His bride?
No more excuses. No more running. No more selfishness. Let’s commit today to stop it!
Lord, help us to be zealous in our dedication to You, Your Word, and Your people! Overwhelm us with the same “deep sense of awe” that came over these early brothers and sisters. We want to be unhindered by all the nonsense that plagues our fellowship today and instead be unified as these early believers were wholly bonded together. We want to meet together and share everything we have. We want to worship YOU together – freely praising You and enjoying the goodwill of each of our members united in unhindered, humble, non-judgmental AWE of YOU! Lord, we want to see You adding to our number DAILY those who are being saved! Make us Yours – wholly devoted in Jesus’s Name!