September 23 | Week 4: Life Together
Being part of the church is more than showing up on Sunday.
Acts 2:42-47
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 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, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Am I Really A Devoted Member?
1. What four things did the early church devote themselves to (v. 42)?
The church devoted themselves to the scriptures (“apostles’ teaching”), fellowship, “breaking of bread” (shared meal & communion), and to prayer.
2. How did they treat their time, their homes, and their money?
The disciples met together every single day. Therefore, their time was given to God’s kingdom and the fellowship. Additionally, they had people into their homes and used their homes for fellowship, praising God, and the breaking of bread. Lastly, they used their money (from selling their possessions and property) to give to “anyone who had need”. Obviously, they really gave everything and showed us how to be “real” members of God’s church.
3. Are you devoting yourself to the same things? Where are you falling short?
I want to schedule specific times to go over and above in my prayer life. Praying is vital. Therefore, I must maintain consistency in praying every day for the brothers and sisters in our bible talk!
Real Members Spur One Another On
Hebrews 10:24-25
24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
1. What are we told to do for one another (v. 24)?
“Spur” here in the Greek is “paroxysmos” – meaning “a sharpening,” hence “a sharpening of the feeling, or action” (para, “beside,” intensive, oxus, “sharp”), denotes an incitement, a sharp contention. Interestingly, We are commanded to “incite”, “sharpen feeling(s) or actions” of one another. A “sharpening” is not comfortable. However, this “sharpening” is “toward love and good deeds!”
Membership Means Good Habits!
2. What habit does verse 25 warn us not to give up?
We should not give up the habit of meeting together! Additionally, the scripture assumes that it is in fact our habit to meet together and that it will be our temptation to drift.
The Waters That Cause Me To Drift
3. Why do you think some people slowly drift away from meeting together?
I think we being to drift as soon as we start drifting from a committed and sincere walk with God. God is love. (1 John 4:16) Therefore, the moment I stop seeking God with all my heart is the actual moment I begin drifting from the fellowship. Additionally, I mention sincerity because I know as a man whose been a Christian for 34 years as of the time of this writing, I can be committed to my walk but out of touch/insincere.
Gratitude Is A Must Or Bust!
Ingratitude is the first subtle eddy to pull me away from God. When I am ungrateful, I am easily lulled by the currents of criticality and nudged by the waters of bitterness. Therefore, I desire less and less to connect with God. If I am struggling to love God because I’ve forgotten what I’ve been forgiven of (2 Peter 1:9) I don’t want to love his people either. Honestly, I just feel “tired” and want to “clock in” and “clock out” and just go home, where I am “comfortable.”
Rationalization Or Transformation?
Sin is the second more obvious undertow that pulls me from meetings of the body. Specifically, the shame of hidden and unconfessed sins. Frankly, people ask you “how are you?” in a healthy fellowship and it’s awkward to keep lying. Sadly, when a person has this state of mind, they immediately have to find a rationalization to justify the near constant deceit. I’ve heard things like, “everybody is so judgmental”, “nobody really listens to me”, and “they don’t “really care” and the like. Therefore, when I’ve felt similarly, I had to realize that I was just shunting the responsibility for my relationship with God onto someone else’s faults.
God Put Me Right Where He Wanted Me!
Disunity is the last wave that pushes me out of the fellowship flow. I remember sitting in church one Sunday and feeling a haunting and tangible sense that I did not belong. Personally, I was very troubled by this sentiment. I started struggling with trust and questioning the authenticity of people around me. Additonally, I felt like folks despised me and that there were things unspoken – I was talked about but not with. This made my heart heavy and I was tempted to feel “burdened” in the fellowship instead of refreshed. Sadly, at times, this mindset caused me assume I was unwanted and think “I don’t belong here.” However, nothing could be farther from the truth! (1 Corinthians 12:18)
Love Always Perseveres
God expects me to love his disciples in any and all of these situations. (1 Corinthians 13:4-8) Therefore, I must fight for the heart of gratitude always and not drift away from God. When I love my brothers and sisters, whom I see, it is a clear indicator of my sincere love for God – whom I do not see! (1 John 3:10, 1 John 4:20) Furthermore, If I am humble I will walk into the light and confess my sins. When I confess my sins it will cement my fellowship with other disciples! (1 John 1:5-10) Lastly, and “above all”, I must love my brothers and sisters “deeply” and “from the heart” and that love will cover over a “multitude” of sins! (1 Peter 4:8)
Real Members Fight For Complete Unity
It makes me wonder, how committed am I to Jesus’ standard of fellowship? Do I make “every effort”? (Ephesians 4:3) I consider this scripture and it helps me repent:
John 17:21-23
21 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. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one– 23 I in them and you in me–so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
Level Up In My Prayer Life!
APPLICATION: Look at the four things in Acts 2:42. Pick the one you are weakest in and make a plan this week to grow in it.
When I am completely devoted to the fellowship like Acts 2:42-47 teaches and fight the destructive currents in my heart I believe am I living out what “membership really means.” This week I want to go after prayer and make it a point to communicate this to my wife and to the men in my life who will hold me accountable!
