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THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE
Many businesses are famous not just for their products and services, but also for their work environments. For example:
- An Internet-related company offers its employees on-site vehicle maintenance, a laundromat, hair salon, and nap pods during work hours.
- A toy company offers paid time off for school-related absences like parent-teacher conferences or field trips.
- Other companies offer physical perks such as on-site gyms, pools, and even bowling alleys.
These companies have created an inviting culture that draws people to work and keeps them happy.
The church is known for a culture that is far deeper than corporate perks. The early church’s culture overflowed with love—love that reflected Jesus Christ and drew people to Him. Their example in Acts 2 challenges us to continue that reputation and be a church immersed in a culture of love.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?
Acts 2:41-42
41So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. 42And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
God did an incredible work in and through His people on the day of Pentecost. The Holy Spirit came upon the believers, Peter proclaimed the gospel of Jesus, and 3,000 people responded and were added to their number. Out of their common love for Christ, the believers came together and shared meals, worshiped and praised God together, and otherwise enjoyed one another’s company. They continued to grow by learning under the apostles’ teaching, fellowshipping together, and praying.
Let’s focus for a moment on that crucial last element: praying.
Every great movement from God starts with prayer and is confirmed by prayer. As we saw in Acts 1, the first activity of the church was a prayer meeting.
Prayer is the key to effective evangelism. We don’t change people’s hearts with our convincing arguments or clever presentations. Far more important than anything a believer can learn about evangelism is how much he or she depends on the Holy Spirit for witnessing. Before you start to have a conversation about Christ with your neighbor, coworker, or a fellow student—pause for prayer. It doesn’t need to be a long, involved prayer. Sometimes it’s enough to say, “Lord, let me speak Your words.”
A friend of mine says, “The reason we don’t pray is not because we’re too busy, but because we’re too confident.” Jesus said, “Apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5); Paul wrote, “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17). Prayer should drive us to our knees in humility, knowing we need Jesus every hour.
Prayer allows God to change me—the one praying. As I pray in the love of Christ for others who don’t know God, I become more burdened for their souls. As I pray for their broken relationships, health concerns, financial worries, or problems at work, I grow in concern and love for them. People will be more open to hearing our message when they sense that we genuinely care about them and what matters to them.
Praying for others leads to caring for others.
Acts 2:43-45
43And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.
The believers in the early church didn’t just meet together to pray and worship. Verses 43-45 shows how they provided for one another’s needs. Three characteristics are prominent:
- Unity. They “were together and had all things in common.”
- Selflessness. “They were selling their possessions and belongings.”
- Mutual care. They were “distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.”
Caring for people is an incredible way to open a conversation about Jesus Christ. It’s been said that people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.
The first Christians were so committed to caring for others they sold their own possessions and property to provide for anyone among them who was in need. That’s pretty radical.
In the second century, a writer and philosopher named Aristides the Athenian described the early believers this way:
“They love one another, and from the widows they do not turn away their countenance; and they rescue the orphan from him who does him violence; and he who has gives to him who has not, without grudging. ... And if there is among them a man that is poor or needy, and they have not an abundance of necessaries, they fast two or three days that they may supply the needy with their necessary food.”
Anything the early Christians contributed was a gift that came directly from the heart, not from autocratic rule. They gave from the overflow of their generosity.
Just as the early believers weren’t required to sell all their possessions, neither are we. In this passage, Luke was describing what happened in the early church, not giving us a mandate. Nevertheless, their example of caring and extravagant love should motivate us to consider how we can imitate it.
How much should we give and how much should we keep? No one can give a pat, once-and-for-always answer to that question. We must find the balance in our own lives. The point is not to adopt an attitude of “How much do I have to give?” Rather, the point is to respond to the God who loves us extravagantly with a heart of loving generosity.
Acts 2:46-47
46And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
The early church certainly prayed and cared for others. But they didn’t stop there. Perhaps if the believers had done only these two things and nothing more, none of us would know about Jesus today. At some point, in addition to praying for and helping people, they had to tell them about Jesus—who He is and why He lived, died, and rose again. They had to give voice to the message behind their loving acts.
In other words, the early believers evangelized! We know this is true because “the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.” This happened because someone who knew Jesus told someone who didn’t know Jesus how to know Jesus.
In most situations today, the opportunity to share Christ is built on the foundation of friendship. You’ll pray for a person and find some way to demonstrate you sincerely care—even if it’s just to say, “I’ve been praying for you about that problem you shared with me.” In the course of praying and caring, the Lord will give you an opportunity to share how Jesus is the answer to whatever he or she is going through.
Take a moment to think about these three simple acts: pray, care, and share. When we pray, God helps us to care for others. When we care, He leads us to share about His Son, Jesus. And the more we share the gospel, the more we are reminded to pray for those who need it.
Three simple acts become an incredible, dynamic lifestyle of loving God and serving others.
LIVE IT OUT
How will you actively and intentionally show love to people this week? Consider the following suggestions:
- Pray. Take a prayer walk through your neighborhood. Pray for the spiritual, emotional, and financial needs of each household—and pray especially for their salvation.
- Care. Actively look for someone in need this week. Determine to give sacrificially, whether of your time, money, or other resources to help that person in the name of Jesus.
- Share. Think of someone you’ve prayed for or helped in practical ways but never talked to about Jesus. Bring Jesus into your conversation with that person. Let them know your concern for them is motivated by the love of Christ in your life.
As members of the church, we have an opportunity to create a culture that’s way more attractive than anything a corporation could produce. But it starts with you. Choose to pray, care, and share as a witness of Christ.
Teacher's Notes:
Click here to Watch
A church where you would want to worship.
People care for one another.
The Word of God is taught.
Christ is glorified.
I am able to grow in discipleship.
In Acts 2 we see a young church at Jerusalem demonstrated love in three ways.
First, they gave spiritual support to each other. They were focused on building up one another in the things of the Lord.
I. Love Meets Spiritual Needs (Listen for how the church grew.)
Acts 2:41-42 (NIV)
Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
God did an incredible work in and through His people on the day of Pentecost. The Holy Spirit came upon the believers, Peter proclaimed the gospel of Jesus, and 3,000 people responded and were added to their number. Out of their common love for Christ, the believers came together and shared meals, worshiped and praised God together, and otherwise enjoyed one another’s company. They continued to grow by learning under the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, and praying.
Our lesson wants us to focus for a moment on that crucial last element: praying.
- Every great movement from God starts with prayer. We saw in Acts 1, the first activity of the church was a prayer meeting.
- Prayer is the key to effective evangelism. We don’t change people’s hearts with our convincing arguments or clever presentations. Far more important than anything a believer can learn about evangelism is how much they depend on the Holy Spirit for witnessing. Before you start to have a conversation about Christ with your neighbor, coworker, or a fellow student—pause for prayer. It doesn’t need to be a long, involved prayer. Sometimes it’s enough to say, “Lord, let me speak Your words.”
How can prayer be transforming in our lives? How does it actually make a change?
- Brings physical and emotional healing.
- Changes lives of people I pray for.
- Helps me see answers to all problems.
- Brings guidance to situations where we need wisdom.
- Teaches me that God listens.
- God chooses to bless as we come to Him, declaring our trust.
Prayer allows God to change me—the one praying. As I pray in the love of Christ for others who don’t know God, I become more burdened for their souls. As I pray for their broken relationships, health concerns, financial worries, or problems at work, I grow in concern and love for them. People will be more open to hearing our message when they sense that we genuinely care about them and what matters to them.
Our lesson said, “The reason we don’t pray is not because we’re too busy, but because we’re too confident.”
Agree or Disagree
Agree
- We like to think we can do it on our own.
- We’re not sure God hears or listens so we are on our own.
- We believe in human help, not divine.
- Think God is too busy, so handle it yourself.
Disagree
- We spend too much time on other stuff.
- Talking to God is pushed out of our lives by so many activities.
- Would rather watch TV or talk to friends than to God.
- Look for help on internet than to God.
- Think problem is too big or too little for God.
Jesus said, “Apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5); Paul wrote, “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17). Prayer should drive us to our knees in humility, knowing we need Jesus every hour.
2 reasons for corporate prayer:
1. Corporate prayer is on par with preaching and teaching as a priority in a healthy church.
2. Praying together is a vital key to opening God's presence and work among His people.
God’s mighty works increase exponentially and His purposes are accelerated when we pray together.
The Book of Acts records the mighty works of God for and through His church:
- The 120 were gathered in an upper room praying in one accord when Pentecost comes (Acts 1:13; 2:1).
- The disciples prayed for wisdom in knowing who Judas' replacement should be (Acts 1:24).
- When Peter and John reported the Sanhedrin's threats, those gathered cried out to God in one accord for boldness, and the place was shaken where they prayed (Acts 4:24, 31).
- The church prayed over the seven men appointed to serve the widows (Acts 6:6).
- After James was martyred and Peter imprisoned by Herod, but the church was fervently praying, and God miraculously delivered Peter from his cell (Acts 12:1-11).
- While the prophets and teachers were praying and fasting, the Holy Spirit called Paul and Barnabas to go on their first missionary journey (Acts 13:1-2).
- Paul and Silas were praying when God sent an earthquake that resulted in the conversion of the jailer and their release (Acts 16:25).
Read the Book of Acts, to become convinced that the ministry of prayer was foremost in the life and service of the Church. The Church was born in a prayer meeting, as we discover by comparing Acts 1:13-14 and 2:1-4. These early believers also attended the regular prayer meetings in the temple - look up Acts 3:1; moreover, in times of special testing they held special times of prayer - look up Acts 4:23-31; 12:1,5,12 and 17, and 16:25. They believed that prayer was a priority matter - look up Acts 6:4, and they prayed when they longed that Matthew 9:38 should be fulfilled - look up Acts 13:1-4. And when they said farewell they prayed - look up Acts 20:36. Years ago, Dr Reuben Archer Torrey said,
“Prayer is the key that unlocks all the storehouses of God’s infinite grace and power. All that God is, and all that God has, is at the disposal of the pray-er. But we must use the key. Prayer can do anything that God can do, and as God can do anything, prayer is omnipotent.”
Point: Praying for others leads to caring for others.
A loving church teaches truth, builds fellowship, communes in Christ, and prays faithfully. Here we see the power of the preached word of God in bringing people to saving faith. The church is not a static organization but a growing body. Godly love will express itself as we build up and encourage one another in the things of the Lord.
Second, they gave material support to one another. Those who had material resources gladly and generously shared those resources with those who were without the things that were needed to sustain life.
II. Love Meets Physical Needs (Listen for an interesting lifestyle.)
Acts 2:43-45 (NIV)
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.
The believers in the early church didn’t just meet together to pray and worship. We read here that they provided for one another’s needs.
What three loving characteristics are prominent in these verses of the first church:
- Unity. They “were together and had everything in common.”
- Selflessness. “They were selling their possessions and goods.”
- Mutual care. They were “giving to anyone as he had need.”
Caring for people is an incredible way to open a conversation about Jesus Christ.
The United States is well known for its humanitarian aid to other countries, and we give to a host of organizations seeking to alleviate various forms of suffering. While our motives for giving to these groups may vary, giving within the church is motivated by love, a love for Christ expressed in love for other persons.
Out of their common love for Jesus, the early church expressed love for each other.
How do you think our church should be more like the early church?
- Helping one another.
- Financial support for those in need.
- Most of us have too much “stuff”…we could donate that in order to help people who are in need.
- We can help in ways other than financial … donate time and skills to elderly and those with physical limitations – Call Help Center & Benevolence.
- See a need, meet it and draw people to Christ.
How can we manage the tension between being generous and providing for our own needs?
- It must be a matter of faith.
- I have to believe that God has prospered me so that I can be generous.
- When I give from my resources, I must trust God that I will still have sufficient.
Were the early believers required to sell all their possessions?
- No, they weren’t required to sell all their possessions, neither are we.
- Luke is describing what happened in the early church, not giving us a mandate.
- However, their example of caring should motivate us to consider how we can imitate it. How much should we give and how much should we keep? No one can give a pat, once-and-for-always answer to that question. We must find the balance in our own lives. The point is not to adopt an attitude of “How much do I have to give?” Rather, the point is to respond to the God who loves us extravagantly with a heart of loving generosity.
We must view people as both physical and spiritual, with both aspects being intimately connected and intertwined. There is no such thing as helping a person physically and not spiritually. Helping a person physically also helps them spiritually, and vice versa. Spiritual help pours over into all areas of life: emotional, mental, and physical. Churches must come to recognize that everything is spiritual, and everything is physical. The dividing line between the two where one is seen to be superior to the other or one is seen as the doorway to the other is an artificial, unbiblical, and dangerous idea. The physical and spiritual were created together by God and must remain together. What God has joined together, let no man separate.
To use the physical as a means to the spiritual cheapens the Gospel. It makes us sound like we are selling timeshares in Florida: “You want a free vacation in the sunny Florida beaches? We’ll give you one, but first you must sit through this high-pressure sales presentation.” Is this really how we want to tell others about Jesus?
Churches that function this way usually require people who show up to receive free service—whether it is free clothes, food, or counseling—to first, sit through a gospel presentation as an “entrance fee.” You want a free meal? Okay, first listen to this sermon. You want marriage counseling? Okay, but let’s first deal with your broken relationship with God. You want a free coat for the winter? We can give you one, but let me first go through this tract with you about how to get clothed with the righteousness of God. You want your car washed for free? We can do that. But while you wait, let me tell you how you can be washed from all your sin.
Point: Caring for people is an incredible way to open a conversation about Jesus Christ.
It’s been said that, “people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
Sometimes God chooses to use human beings as the instruments through which He does His mighty work. The witness of the church is strengthened when those outside the church see how believers care for one another. All that we have is to be dedicated to the service of the Lord.
Third, their loving spirit must have carried over in the way they related to others, for all the people were impressed by them and drawn to their fellowship.
III. Love Shares the Gospel (Listen for daily activities.)
Acts 2:46-47 (NIV)
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.
The early church certainly prayed and cared for others. But they didn’t stop there.
- If they had stopped there, none of us would know about Jesus today. At some point, they had to tell them about Jesus—who He is and why He lived, died, and rose again. They gave voice to the message behind their loving acts.
- The early believers evangelized! We know this is true because “the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”
How do you see the sharing of your faith as a natural progression of praying and caring?
- In most situations today, the opportunity to share Christ is built on the foundation of friendship. You’ll pray for a person and find some way to demonstrate you sincerely care—even if it’s just to say, “I’ve been praying for you about that problem you shared with me.” In the course of praying and caring, the Lord will give you an opportunity to share how Jesus is the answer to whatever he or she is going through.
Why is it important for us to fellowship with Christian friends?
- Demonstrates our love of God.
- It is the outworking of our relationship with God.
- Allows God to accomplish His love through us, sort of a training ground.
- We learn how God loves us – he loves us despite our shortcomings (as we must do with our acquaintances).
Some specific ways in which a healthy church demonstrates true fellowship:
- Get together socially.
- Care for one another. Minister to one another’s needs.
- When someone has trouble, instead of bad mouthing them or making fun, we come to their aid.
- Prayer support of one another.
- Laugh together, cry together, rejoice together, and grieve together.
How could a church’s spirit of fellowship be instrumental in reaching unsaved friends and family – to see people saved and added to our membership?
- Josh Hunt (who advocates dedicating Friday nights to small group get-togethers) claims that good fellowshipping can double a class (and a church) every few years.
- A social get-together is not a threatening situation – an unsaved person would feel OK with coming, also, it is not a threatening task to do the inviting of an unsaved friend.
Point: A loving church attracts those outside when it’s obvious that members care for one another inside.
Worshiping the Lord is to be a daily experience. A fellowship of believers is made stronger when members give regular attention to maintaining their fellowship with an attitude of joy and humility. A growing church is the product of the Spirit’s continuous work in the lives of its members.
Lesson Point: Loving people is a powerful expression of loving God.
Several years ago I listened to Ravi Zacharias on the radio. He told a story from his seminary days. He said one day his professor was lecturing about love, and he said, “Love is hard work.” The professor asked if there were any questions, and Zacharias raised one. He took issue with the professor’s statement about love. He noted that God gave us the capacity for love, and it’s a fruit of the Spirit. If that’s the case, how can love be hard work? The professor looked at him and said, “Zacharias, are you married?” Zacharias said he was not. The professor said, “Then sit down and shut up. You don’t know what you’re talking about.” Ravi Zacharias said he did get married a year later, and he soon learned that the professor was right: love is hard work! That’s true not only in marriage, but also in the body of Christ. Churches are made up of imperfect people. Sometimes we get on one another’s nerves. Sometimes we slip up and do things we shouldn’t. Be that as it may, we are commanded to love one another, even when it’s hard.
Jesus said people would know we are His disciples by our love for one another (John 13:35).
Does our church have that kind of love?
If not, let it begin with you!
Hope to see you on Sunday!
In His Love,
David & Susan
