SERMON OUTLINE:
• Worship (vs 42):
• Instruction (vs 42a):
• Fellowship (vs 44-45).
• Expression (vs ).
SERMON BODY:
Ill:
• Les Dawson (1934 – 1993);
• Was an English comedian and writer remembered for his deadpan style,
• His grumpy persona and jokes about his mother-in-law and wife.
• Today he would not be described as not very P.C. (Politicly correct);
• But he was funny and his jokes still cause us to giggle.
• Here are some of my favourites.
(a).
• I said to the chemist, 'Can I have some sleeping pills for the wife?'
• He said, 'Why?'
• I said, 'She keeps waking up.'
(b).
• I can always tell when the mother in law's coming to stay;
• The mice throw themselves on the traps.
(c).
• The wife's Mother said, "When you're dead, I'll dance in your grave."
• I said: "Good, I'm being buried at sea."
(d).
• My mother-in-law fell down a wishing well.
• I was amazed; I never knew they worked.
• TRANSITION: hopefully those jokes brought a smile to your face!
• This morning I want to speak about the wife!
• Not the lady I married on the 26th May 1997.
• You men are impressed that I know my wedding anniversary;
• And so you should be!
• Actually, The way I remember is Man United won the treble on 26th May 1999.
• And it was two years before that when I was manacled – I mean bound to the good lady).
Now the W.I.F.E. I want to speak about is found in Acts chapter 2:
• Last week as we started this new session of talks called:
• ‘Rise and Shine: A Wake-up Call’.
• We asked some questions:
• i.e. “Why has the Church been called into existence?”
• i.e. "Why are we here?"
• i.e. "Why do we meet week by week?"
• i.e. “Why do we do the things that we do?”
Now those questions are partly answered by the W.I.F.E.
• Quote: Les Dawson:
• “The neighbours think I’m a ventriloquist.
• When I open my mouth the wife speaks.”
• TRANSITION: Now those key questions are partly answered by the W.I.F.E.
• To help remember our objectives as a Church;
• Remember the word W.I.F.E. representing:
• (1). Worship.
• (2). Instruction.
• (3). Fellowship.
• (4). Evangelism.
Note: the context of these verses:
• In Acts chapter 2 we see the Church in embryonic form;
• In fact the Church has just been born and the cradle is still rocking.
• The Holy Spirit has just for the very first time been given permanently to believers;
• It had never happened before;
• i.e. In the Old Testament the Holy Spirit came on individuals;
• And then after a period of time he went again.
• i.e. The Holy Spirit came indiscriminately;
• It had never happened before;
• In the Old Testament the Holy Spirit came on selected individuals;
• But now he is given to every true believer.
We are picking up the story:
• After the apostle Peter has preached the very first Christian sermon;
• And three thousand people responded to the message;
• And came to faith! That is became Christians, followers of Jesus.
Quote: Charles Swindoll (‘Rise and Shine: A Wake-up Call’)
• “Here were thousands of new believers who had no building in which to meet,
• No pastor, no sense of direction, no knowledge of the Christian life,
• No church constitution, no set of creeds,
• No understanding of the Spirit's presence or power,
• An incomplete Bible ... they had nothing!
• Yet they formed the charter membership of the church.
• From this original body of three thousand souls, the flame spread around the world.
• And from this original account of their activities and involvements,
• We are able to glean the earliest (and therefore purest) set of objectives.
• There are four of them….”
Now as we have noted already:
• We are going to use the acronym W.I.F.E.
• To help remember our four objectives this morning;
• (1). Worship.
• (2). Instruction.
• (3). Fellowship.
• (4). Evangelism.
• As we read verse 42, all four truths emerge.
• And then, as we finish reading the chapter (vs 43-47),
• Notice that each of the four is illustrated.
• These four objectives were essential for the early Church;
• And they are still relevant for us today.
• They still comprise the ministry of the church.
• As we seek to glorify God;
• Which we noted last week was our primary purpose for existing;
• We need to focus on the fourfold target of;
• Worship, instruction, fellowship, and expression.
• From these four pictures;
• We will be able to determine the major objectives of any local Church.
(1). Worship (vs 42):
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”
• The church is a worshipping community.
• That is key truth number one.
• That should always be a priority!
Notice:
• These verse clearly tells us that what we have here:
• We clearly see a body of committed, worshipful people.
• The Greek term, translated here as "devoted";
• Means, ‘a steadfast, single-minded fidelity’.
• Worship was not a half-hearted effort for the early church;
• It was intense, they were passionate and devoted followers;
• And their worship held a beautiful simplicity:
• The ‘breaking of bread’ (I believe that refers to communion*);
• And to ‘prayer’,
• (*Commentators like to discuss as to whether this phrase ‘breaking of bread’
• Means eating ordinary meals or partaking of the Lord’s Supper.
• I believe it refers to both, because it is clear in the New Testament;
• That, the common meal i.e. eating together;
• Was often followed by what we now call the Lord’s Supper or communion.
• Towards the end of the book of Acts;
• They ‘breaking of bread’ became less frequent, on the first day of the week.
• i.e. Acts chapter 20 verse 7 & 1 Corinthians chapter 11 verse 20).)
• So the worship of the early Church held a beautiful simplicity:
• The ‘breaking of bread’ and to ‘prayer’,
Now notice that in those simple expressions of worship there was a profound reverence:
• Verse 43a indicates: "Everyone was filled with awe".
• It literally reads: "And there came to every soul fear".
• There was a breath¬taking awareness of God's holy presence!
• Wow! These believers were not playing games;
• They were not going through the motions of a Church service.
• They were not padding out there time together.
• There worship was real.
• And from the heart.
• And it drew them close to the living God.
Pause to say:
• In our type of Churches (we are open Christian Brethren);
• And in our type of Churches
• The ‘Breaking of Bread’ was always a key part of the life of the Church.
• At one time it was the main Sunday morning service;
• And many of us were taught that if you could only attend one meeting;
• Then prioritise the ‘Breaking of Bread’ the communion service.
• The reason being twofold:
• First: Jesus asked us to remember him this way;
• So we are being obedient to his instructions.
• And secondly at the ‘Breaking of Bread’,
• We have the opportunity for open times of worship;
• When different people in the fellowship;
• Lead us or bless us;
• As they get to publicly express their worship in;
• Praying, choosing hymns & songs as well as in devotional thoughts.
Now sadly, for us at DRC it is one of the least attended meetings:
• Yet it is still an important time together;
• As we remember Jesus express our love for our saviour and Lord!
• Abd when we come with our hearts full of thankfulness;
• It should be a special time of worship together.
Ill:
• I remember at ‘Breaking of Bread’ services;
• It was not unusual to see grown men crying, weeping as they prayed.
• These men did not come to a meeting, they came to meet with God!
• They did not come for what they could get out of it;
• They came to give not receive, to pour out their hearts!
• And maybe, just maybe, as we too devote ourselves to these things;
• We too will see God moving,
• Like these early Christians we too will be full of awe and wonder!
OK, BACK TO THE TEXT:
• Question: What else marked these gatherings,
• Answer: Verse 46 tells us of their "gladness"
• We created to enjoy the Lord and not endure our faith!
• e.g. They met together "every day", that alone is a sign of their enjoyment!
• Sadly, some folk struggle to meet with God’s people once a week,
• Never mind every day!
• They met because they enjoyed God and they enjoyed his people;
• And if the joy is not there,
• Maybe you need to ask the question: ‘Is the problem with them or with me?’
(2). Instruction (vs 42a):
"They devoted themselves to the Apostle's teaching".
Ill:
• We live in times of great Biblical ignorance;
• Sadly people just don’t know what the Bible teaches.
• I like these humorous examples.
• True statements about the bible written by children:
• (1). The first book of the Bible is called Guinessis.
• (2). Noah's wife was called Joan of Ark.
• (3). Samson slayed the Philistines with the axe of the Apostles.
• (4). Moses went up on Mount Cyanide to get the ten amendments.
• (5). The seventh commandment is thou shalt not admit adultery.
• (6). Solomon, one of David's sons, had 300 wives and 700 porcupines.
• (7). Jesus was born because Mary had an immaculate contraption.
• (8). The people who followed the Lord were called the 12 decibels.
• (9). The epistles were the wives of the apostles.
• (10). A Christian should have only one spouse. This is called monotony.
• TRANSITION: ok, that was tongue-in-cheek;
• But we dare not be ignorant of God’s Word!
• That is one reason why "They devoted themselves to the Apostle's teaching".
• And as a result of their devotion to the Word of God;
• These people knew the power of the Holy Spirit in a way we can only dream of;
• They saw God at work in a way we can only dream of.
Now although I have this as my second point, notice that this is first quality in the list.
• Question: Why?
• Answer: Because babies need above all other things food.
• Of course they need love, tenderness and cleansing,
• But first and foremost they need food,
• And without food they will die!
Ill:
• As you read the next few chapters in the book of Acts;
• The importance of teaching the Word of God is emphasised again and again;
• i.e. Acts chapter 4 verse 4 the church grew as
• "Many of those who had heard the message believed.''
• i.e. Then a few chapters later as the Church started growing even bigger;
• Chapter 6 verse 4 tells us that the apostles continued to devote themselves;
• "To prayer and to the ministry of the word".
• Nothing, let me repeat that, Nothing!
• Caused the leadership in the early church to relinquish the ministry of the Word.
• That was their priority!
Ill:
• The tradition and the emphasis of this Church and Churches like it;
• Has always been an emphasis on the Word of God.
• i.e. The preaching of the gospel and the teaching of the scriptures.
• We are a word centred Church;
• A Bible believing and a Bible preaching and teaching fellowship.
• Let me quickly give you four reasons why:
• This is a word centred Church;
• They are found in 2 Timothy chapter 3 verses 15 to 17
Quote: The Message paraphrases these verses this way:
“………Stick with what you learned and believed, sure of the integrity of your teachers-- why, you took in the sacred Scriptures with your mother's milk! There's nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another--showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God's way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us”.
Quote: The N.I.V. translates the later part this way:
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work”.
• “All Scripture” all 66 books of the Bible is inspired of God, it is God-breathed.
• Therefore we as a Church will try to study and teach “All Scripture”
Notice the 4 ways this devotion to the word will impact our lives:
• It is profitable for “teaching” or “doctrine”
• That is the Bible teaches us what is right.
• For “rebuking” or “reproof”
• That is the Bible teaches us what is not right.
• For “correcting” or “correction”
• The Bible teaches us how to get right.
• And for “training in righteousness” or “instruction in righteousness”
• And the Bible teaches us how to stay right.
Note: the Bible is not given to us to make us smarter sinners!
• It was never just to inform, but it was given us to transform.
• To change our lives and to make us righteous.
• Right with God and right with others.
• And once we know, we are instructed,
• WE are responsible for applying it to our lives.
Ill:
• A man said to the great evangelist D.L. Moody;
• “Mr Moody, I have been through the Bible 10 times;
• And it has made no difference to my life and living!”
• Moody replied:
• “Let it go through you and you will be completely changed!”
• It is not the acquisition of truth that sets us free;
• It is the application of truth that brings change!
(3). Fellowship (vs 44-45).
“All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.”
Ill:
Sign on a Church notice board.
• When you were born, your mother brought you to church.
• When you were married, your wife brought you to church.
• When you die, your friends will bring you to church.
• Why not try coming to church on your own sometime'
• TRANSITION: Fellowship is of course more than attending meetings in a building.
• Christians do not ‘go’ to Church;
• Because they are the Church.
• But…don’t miss this:
• You cannot be the Church if you are not at the Church!
• It’s not rocket science it is simple matter-of-fact!
Ill:
• Jesus in the habit of regular times of fellowship with other believers:
• Luke chapter 4 verse 16: “As was his custom”
• The apostle Paul was in the habit of regular times of fellowship with other believers:
• Acts chapter 17 verse 2: “As was his custom”
• Just as bad habits shape our lives negatively;
• Good habits shape our lives positively!
• Bad habits stick with us and so often spoil our lives.
• Good habits also affect us by contributing to our lives!
Ill:
Talking of bad habits I did hear the story of:
• Mrs Smith was so happy; “I’ve cured my husband of biting his nails”
• I replied; “How did you manage to do that”
• “Simple” she answered;
• “Every morning I hide his teeth”.
• TRANSITION: Just as bad habits shape our lives negatively;
• Good habits shape our lives positively!
• Church should not just be a place where you come, worship, learn and then leave.
• It's meant to be a place where you draw close to one another.
• Build friendships and share your life – it’s family time!
Note:
• I am not sure if Dr Luke the author of the book of Acts;
• Would or could write those same words today!
• You and I would probably write; “Most of the believers were gathered together”
• But Dr Luke is quite insightful with his wording; “All the believers”
• These new Christians recognised the need for meeting together;
• The Church was not their idea but Jesus their master.
• And when we meet with his people in a special way we also meet with Jesus!
Ill:
• In a few chapters time they would need one another;
• Because they would have no-one else;
• Because they embraced Jesus
• It would soon mean being ostracised from their physical families.
• (this of course happens to many believers around the world today).
Quote:
“When the first Christians came together they were not:
Like a bag of marbles banging against one another,
They were more like a bag of grapes;
And when they were squashed by persecution they bled on one another.”
When it comes to fellowship many Churches have a problem:
• The problem is this;
• They are a group of strangers;
• Too many of our churches are filled with people who don't know each other:
• We claim to be one in Christ.
• But in practice we can be strangers to each other.
• Quote: One lady said:
• “Everyone is friendly at the services, but no-one wants to be my real friend!”
In the New Testament there are two expressions of authentic fellowship:
• Both of them ‘hit the nail on the head’,
• And show us that true fellowship means:
FIRST: IT IS TO SHARE SOMETHING WITH SOMEONE ELSE.
• As these people did in verse 45: "They gave to ANYONE as he had need".
• Seems such a strange and foreign idea in our culture.
Ill:
• A woman, donating a Communion Table to her local church,
• She impressed upon the pastor her wish for the gift to remain anonymous.
• But she was greatly troubled
• When the beautiful carved table was put in place in time for the next Communion service.
• She the pastor aside and said: “I told you I wanted the gift to be anonymous,”.
• “So it is,” he replied.
• “No it’s not,” she cried.
• “It says clearly on the front of the table ‘In Remembrance of Me’.”
• TRANSITION: We need always remember that the Christian life is not all about me!
• It is about love for Jesus and it is about love for others!
• And that love will show itself in actions, in meeting people’s needs.
SECOND: TO SHARE IN SOMETHING WITH SOMETHING ELSE.
• i.e. Romans chapter 12 verse 15:
• "Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep".
Ill:
• A little girl came into the front room of her house;
• Her mother said, “Darling where have you been?”
• The girl replied; “I went next door to see Shirley’s mum”
• Now Shirley had recently been killed in an accident.
• The mum was startled and said; “You mustn’t trouble Shirley’s mum at this time”
• The little girl replied, “I did not trouble her”.
• Mum then asked the girl; “What did you say to Shirley’s mum”,
• The girl replied, “I didn’t say anything, I just climbed into her lap and we cried”.
• TRANSITION: People who hurt don’t want clever answers;
• They just want to know that someone cares!
• If we could have a reputation as a Church for being an accepting, caring Church;
• It would do more to influence our community,
• And to hold onto other Christians, than anything else I know of!
(4). Evangelism (vs 47).
“And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”
• The church is an out-reaching body.
• There is something in Acts, that we have forgotten or reversed:
• The church that's gathered is worshipping.
• The church that's scattered is evangelizing.
• They did not come to church to win the lost !
• They came to church to Worship, for Instruction and to Fellowship.
• Then they scattered to evangelise:
• They shared Christ with their contemporaries.
• As the opportunities arose.
• The foundation to their evangelism was:
• Close fellowship, good teaching, and real, sincere worship,
In other words they had a right relationship:
• First of all with God.
• Secondly with each other.
• And the side effect of that verse 47:
• Folks being added to their numbers daily,
• Added, because these people hit the streets,
• An illustration of that is the rest of the book of Acts:
• As we draw to a conclusion;
• Three observations concerning New Testament evangelism:
(1). IT WAS NEVER LIMITED TO THE CHURCH FACILITIES.
• In fact it occurred there least of all.
• The church is a place where the saints meet,
• Not the sinners.
• Through the week we evangelize and mix:
• And at the appropriate times the Christians,
• The church comes together for W.I.F.
Now of course we adapt to our society:
• We are not wrong if we use our building for church based evangelism.
• Quote: "Horses for courses".
• We have regular activities that support that.
• But my point is this - evangelism was never limited to the church facilities.
• That is a cultural idea, rather than biblical one.
(2). EVANGELISM IN THE NEW TESTAMENT WAS ALWAYS INITIATED BY THE CHRISTIAN.
• We have this bizarre idea that if people want to know about Christ;
• Sooner or later they will come along and ask us:
• Question: When was the last time that happened?
• When was the last time a neighbour, a work college
• Or a family member or a stranger,
• Came up to you and said:
• "Will you please explain to me who God is?”
• "Will you please explain to me how I can be born again?”
• "Will you please explain to me how I can be made right for heaven?".
Answer: very rarely, if it happens at all!
• We have to initiate the contact,
• We have to create and then seize the opportunities.
Ill:
• That is what happened in the book of Acts.
• Their evangelism was usually connected to a un-related event or experience.
• i.e. when they faced opposition,
• i.e. when somebody was healed, or converted,
• i.e. when an argument, or a supernatural occurrence took place.
• Out of that came an opportunity to share the gospel, to evangelise.
• Evangelism was quite often as a result of some event or life experience.
(3). EVANGELISM WAS NEVER SOMETHING ANYONE WAS FORCED OR MANIPULATED TO DO.
• I know God allowed persecution of the Church;
• Not to force them to evangelise but rather to get them out of their holy huddles,
• And their racially prejudiced ideas.
• Then as they went, and opportunities came their way;
• So they evangelised!
Quote David Winter:
"Eloquent speeches, visual aids, films, seminars and discussion groups are, after all, no substitute for the daily, unspectacular witness of the rank and file Christian.
If that witness is consistent and open, then no improvement in tactics or strategy will better it as a means of winning people for Christ. If it is not, then no evangelistic programme, no matter how ambitious or sophisticated, will make the slightest impact.
That is a lesson we have been slow to learn".
In Conclusion:
• I love the principles found in these verses;
• And I would love to see them here at DRC
• (1). It was a learning Church.
• Verse 42: They loved the Word of God.
• (2). It was a caring Church.
• Verse 42: There gatherings were marked by togetherness, by real fellowship.
• (3). It was a praying Church.
• Verse 42: Prayer was not an optional extra but an essential.
• ill: what fuel is to a car so prayer is to a Church.
• (4). It was a reverent Church.
• Verse 43: These believers ‘feared’ were in ‘awe’ of the Lord.
• (5). It was a supernatural Church.
• Verse 43 says things happened and God performed signs and wonders,
• A genuine work of the Holy Spirit was evident.
• (6). It was a sharing Church.
• Verse 44-45: They met people’s needs, both practical and emotional.
• (7). It was a worshipping Church.
• Verse 46, they never forgot to visit the temple, the house of God.
• (8). It was a happy Church,
• Verse 46: when they met, gladness and joy was their experience.
• Because a gloomy Church is a contradiction!
• (9). It was a community Church.
• Verse 47: They were respected and liked by those that they encountered.
• (10). They were an evangelistic Church:
• Verse 47: God was at work in salvation,
• And the New Testament is very clear, God reaches a lost world through his people!
SERMON AUDIO:
https://surf.pxwave.com/wl/?id=Yv5z3OLhmQzcRWcUc64XXE75udjA1unX
