The Mission: Studies In The Book Of Acts
#6: An Uncommon Community
October 18, 2006
1. The Spirit In The Church ...
■ First Week ... Acts ... History Of Mission Of The Church ... As Empowered By The Holy Spirit
A. Not a detailed historical narrative ... nor a manual on how to be the church
■ Three Snapshots ... Will Describe And Use To Reflect Upon Our Mission At St. Andrews
A. First ... ‘Spirit in the Church’ ... shows interplay of three critical themes ... throughout Acts
1. Devoted to prayer ... praying together ... with diligence and persistence
2. United in purpose ... joined together ... of one heart and soul ... prayer & Spirit
3. Filled with the Holy Spirit ... fueled by prayer ... firing fellowship ... fostering unity
■ “Filled With The Spirit” ... The Theme Drives Acts ... So ... What Does It Mean?
A. Scripture describes a variety of experiences with the Holy Spirit ...
1. John 15 ... a yielding to the relationship we have with Jesus ... as we dwell with him
2. Acts ... something that happens to us ... force acting upon us
3. Ephesians 5:18 ... command to make our relationship with the H/S a priority
B. Understanding words translated ... “were filled or be filled” ... were or are kept being filled
1. Buckets ... filled ... need for refilling ... not complete ... much too passive
2. Wind filling sail ... moved along in life ... by God’s Spiri
3. Permeation ... tea in water ... Holy Spirit is to permeate our lives
4. Influence ... under the control of something ... filled with wine ... or anger
C. Putting it all together ... invitation ... and command ... experience and commitment
1. Both natural ... our role ... and supernatural ... God’s role
2. The Church In The World ...
■ I’ve Given Our Second Snapshot The Title ... The Church In The World ...
A. A picture from Luke of the early church ... as it began to meet and to serve in Jerusalem
B. It was a new community ... vv2:42-43
1. A radical break from the past ... repentance and baptism into new community
2. It was a learning community ... devoted to the teaching of the apostles
3. It was a super-natural community
C. It was a worshiping community ... vv2:42; 46-47
1. Corporate worship in the temple
2. Meetings in homes for prayer ... the Lord’s Supper ... teaching
3. Fellowship characterized by joy ... praise ... awe ... generosity
D. It was an uncommon community ... vv2:44-45 ... v4:34
1. Sharing of property and possessions for needs of the community
E. It was a missionary community ... v2:47 ... v4:33
1. Powerful preaching ... witnessing (testimonies) ... Peter’s examples
2. Powerful preaching ... backed by practical sharing ... living out the promise
F. It was a Spirit-filled community ... generosity as by-product of ... Holy Spirit
3. The World In The Church ...
■ Having Given An Overview Of Solidarity & Generosity Enjoyed In Early Church ...
A. Luke gives two specific examples ... exemplary ... cautionary ... ‘World in the Church’
1. Barnabas ... Jew living in Cyprus ... wealthy enough to own land ... example of ideal
■ Ananias & Sapphira As Examples Of A Different Motivation ...
A. Also sold property ... held money back ... pretended to give it all
1. When confronted ... drops dead ... stroke or heart attack ... later ... wife does same
■ What Is The Purpose Of This Story ... What Principles Might We Extract?
A. Honesty of Luke as historian ... cautionary tale ... not afraid to paint the whole picture
B. The sin involved was the sin of dishonesty and deceit ...
1. Not a requirement ... not practicing ‘communism’
C. Why was it dealt with so harshly?
1. Betrayed the fellowship ... nothing so toxic in community ... betrayal of trust
2. Spiritual warfare ... Satan defeated at cross ... but still lurking about
3. Theology ... to lie to the fellowship or church ... is to lie to God and betray the Spirit
4. The Church Today ...
■ Leave You With These Three Questions ... Reflect And Pray ...
A. Can you imagine what our church could look like ... as a Spirit-led church?
1. What might it take for us as a church to live into that vision?
2. What will it require of me?