Introduction:
A. I like the old story told of the preacher and song leader who didn’t like each other very much and refused to cooperate with each other.
1. One week the preacher preached on commitment, and how they should dedicate themselves to service. The song leader then led the congregation in singing, “I Shall Not Be Moved.”
2. The next Sunday, the preacher preached on giving and how they should gladly give to the work of the Lord. The song leader then led the song, “Jesus Paid It All.”
3. The next Sunday, the preacher preached on gossiping and how they should watch their tongues. The song leader led the song, “I Love To Tell The Story.”
4. The preacher became disgusted over the situation, and the next Sunday he told the congregation he was considering resigning. The song leader led the song, “Oh, Why Not Tonight.”
5. The next Sunday, the preacher announced his resignation, and emphasized that Jesus had led him to that decision. The song leader then led the song, “What A Friend We Have in Jesus.”
6. One of the things we are going to talk about today is the need for us to have a spirit of cooperation in our hearts.
B. A number of years ago, I went shopping for a used car.
1. I looked at adds in the newspaper and also visited a number of used car lots.
2. I had many disappointing experiences.
a. Some of the cars sounded great in the paper, but were unimpressive in person.
b. Some of the cars looked great as I walked up to them, but then they ran terribly.
c. One car was exactly the make I was looking for, but it wouldn’t stay running. The second I put it into drive, it stalled. The salesman was surprised that I had no interest in the car even though he said I’m sure it is a simple problem that I can fix.
3. When I go looking for a car, it would be nice if it looked good, but more importantly it had better run well.
C. In recent sermons I have been trying to articulate what it means to be Christians only, Christians who are striving to be just like the church that Jesus built through the apostles.
1. I believe that it is very important that the church take only the form of the church that God intended and instructed.
2. Therefore, we should be organized only as God has specified, we should worship only as God has specified, and our mission should only be the one that God has specified.
3. But just like the used car that looks good, but runs terribly, we can have all the right forms for the church, but be spiritually dead as a doornail and that is not what God wants!
D. Today, I want to help us understand that we must focus on more than just restoring the form of NT Christianity, we must also restore the heart of NT Christianity.
1. It is vital to restore both aspects of Christianity. Neither of them can be over-looked, and neither can be magnified over the other.
2. So, my aim is to help us understand and experience the heart of NT Christianity.
E. To accomplish this goal, I would like us to begin by reading some of the accounts of the early church. This will help us get a picture of what life looked like in the early church.
1. Then I would like us to consider what attitudes of the heart brought about that kind of life, and how we can restore that kind of heart and life in us, the church, today.
I. The Actions of the Early Church – What did Christian life look like in the early church?
A. Acts 2:42-47
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he 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.
B. Acts 4:1-10, 13-14, 18-21
1 The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. 2 They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 3 They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. 4 But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand. 5 The next day the rulers, elders and teachers of the law met in Jerusalem… 7 They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?” 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.”
13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. 14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say.
18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. 20 For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” 21 After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened.
C. Acts 4:32-37
32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. 34 There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.
36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.
D. Acts 5:1-16
1 Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 2 With his wife's full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles' feet. 3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? 4 Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God.” 5 When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. 6 Then the young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him. 7 About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?” “Yes,” she said, “that is the price.” 9 Peter said to her, “How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.” 10 At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.
12 The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade. 13 No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. 14 Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. 15 As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. 16 Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by evil spirits, and all of them were healed.
E. Acts 5:17-22, 27-29, 40-42
17 Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. 18 They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. 20 “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people the full message of this new life.” 21 At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people. When the high priest and his associates arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin--the full assembly of the elders of Israel--and sent to the jail for the apostles. 22 But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there.
27 Having brought the apostles, they made them appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. 28 “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man's blood.” 29 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than men!” (they put them out of the room so they could discuss the matter)
40 They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. 42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.
F. Acts 6:1-7
1 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 2 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3 Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”
5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.
7 So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.
G. Oh, those were exciting and challenging times for the church.
1. Let’s explore the question: what attitudes of heart led to that kind of activity in the early church?
II. The Attitudes that Led to the Actions of the Early Church
A. First, they had a spirit of CONVICTION in their hearts.
1. The early Christians had a conviction about God and about obeying God.
2. They saw His power at work in the miraculous healings, but they also saw His power at work in punishment against sin.
3. So, because of their conviction they had a holy fear of God and hatred toward sin.
4. Oh, how important it is that we keep this reality as a firm conviction.
a. Our God is a holy God who is all powerful. He is mighty and awesome.
b. His love and grace are great, but his wrath and judgments are real and just.
5. Our devotion to a holy God, should compel us to be purifying our lives. And not just some time when we have had enough sin, or when it is convenient, but now, immediately, without delay!
B. Second, They had a spirit of CONFRONTATION in their hearts.
1. It was a spirit of courage, boldness and zeal, based on their convictions about God.
2. They trusted in God’s power and in his rewards.
3. They were willing to face resistance and persecution in order to be obedient to God.
4. God had told them to preach His word, and regardless of what individuals or governments would do or say to them, they were boldly obedient to God.
5. That was the heart and life of early Christianity, and that’s what enabled it to continue and grow.
6. Without confidence in God, those Christians would not have had the courage to stand up and speak up for Jesus.
7. And oh, how we need the courage of God today for confrontation!
8. We need courage to be bold as we share the good news about Jesus and also as we confront people with the reality of judgment if they fail to accept and obey Jesus.
9. We need courage to be bold as we reach into each other’s lives and speak the truth in love.
a. Many of us know brothers and sisters in Christ who are living unproductive and ineffective lives in Christ, and they need someone who will lovingly and boldly help them see that.
10. Unfortunately, so many of us fear others, and we fear the consequences of boldness, more than we fear and trust in God.
11. The courage of the early church was a key to their obedience and effectiveness – It helped them be bold and confrontational when necessary.
C. Third, they had a spirit of CELEBRATION in their hearts
1. The early Christians knew the joy of their salvation.
2. They knew the reality of Jesus’ death and resurrection, many had seen it first-hand.
3. For that reason they had glad hearts that praised God.
4. They celebrated because they knew they did not deserve their salvation; they knew their salvation was based on God’s grace; they knew their God was praise-worthy; they knew their eternal home would be marvelous.
5. Even when they suffered for their faith, they were filled with joy.
6. Do you know the joy of the Lord and his salvation? I hope so. It should make your heart sing. It should give you a deep sense of joy and peace.
D. Fourth and finally, they had a spirit of COOPERATION.
1. That spirit of cooperation can best be described as community, fellowship, or oneness.
2. The early Christians loved to be together for worship, for study, for outreach and for fellowship.
3. There was such cooperation among them that those in need were supported by mutual sharing.
a. There was such a contentment in Christ that the early Christians no longer wanted to pursue amassing material things, but they began to liquidate and contribute to the needs of others and the mission of the church.
4. When the needs of some were being overlooked, through cooperation they organized a way to meet those needs.
5. The responsibility of sharing the good news and ministering to others fell on the shoulders of all the believers, not just the leaders.
6. When persecution hit, and the believers were scattered, they preached the word wherever they went.
7. Nowhere in the experience of the early church do I get the idea that people attended the church like we might go to the movies.
a. When we go to the movies, we go to a theater, sit among strangers, leave a mess behind, and have no responsibility to the theater or to other patrons until the next time we attend.
8. Christianity is not like that at all.
a. We are to be connected with each other all the time. When we are apart, our thoughts are with each other - like best friends or family members separated by miles.
b. When we are together, we are to be connected and attentive to each other’s needs. Ministering with each other and to each other.
9. Everyone in the church is to shoulder responsibility, and no one is allowed to remain anonymous and disconnected.
Conclusion:
A. In many ways, all that I want to say today can be summed up in a single word - COMMITMENT.
1. The early church was filled with people who had truly committed their lives to the Lord.
2. They understood the commands of Christ.
a. Jesus had told them to love the Lord with all their heart, soul, mind and strength, so that’s what they were trying to do. (Mt 22:37)
b. Jesus had told them that they could not be his disciples unless they denied themselves and took up their cross daily and followed him. They knew that if they were ashamed of Jesus and His words, He would be ashamed of them. (Lk 9:23-26)
B. Jesus calls us to the very same commitments to which He called them. We must love the Lord with our whole selves, and we must daily follow Christ, dying to ourselves.
1. Yet all of us struggle to make and keep those kind of commitments, don’t we?
2. We are kind of like one of the characters from a comic strip.
a. The comic strip showed a male bird trying to pick up a female bird with classic “pick up” lines.
b. He said, “Listen, I don’t mean to be a pest. You say the word and I’m out of here.”
c. “Okay,” she said, “I’ll say one word…COMMITMENT!”
d. When she turned to him, he was gone!
e. Commitment is a word that makes many people run!
3. God requires commitment. He won’t accept and reward a single person without it.
4. Someone wrote this moving piece:
“I would like to buy $3 worth of God, please, not enough to explode my soul or disturb my
sleep, but just enough to equal a cup of warm milk or a snooze of sunshine.
I don’t want enough of Him to make me love a [homeless] man or pick beets with a migrant.
I want ecstasy, not transformation; I want the warmth of the womb, not the new birth.
I want a pound of the Eternal in a paper sack. I would like to buy $3 worth of God, please.”
5. Whatever you do, don’t sell yourself short - Get all of God by giving him all of yourself.
C. It is NT Christianity that God planned, and it is NT Christianity that He purchased and produced in the first century.
1. Let’s commit ourselves to restoring both the form and the heart of NT Christianity in our church family. It is the ongoing work of God through his Spirit and His Word.
2. It starts with each of us being filled with a spirit of conviction, confrontation, celebration, and cooperation.
3. I want to encourage each of us to take a look at those four aspects of the heart of NT Christianity and consider which one you need to work on the most.
4. We need to seek God’s help to grow in these areas so we can be more pleasing and more effective as we continue as His disciples, members of His church, the church that Jesus built.
