Summary:

We are doing a series on the Book of Acts looking at the marks of a healthy church, and how He empowered the church to establish and expand His Gospel (Word) throughout the world!

Detail:

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Devotional

This is one of the purest forms of the early church I think has ever been recorded. Can you imagine the excitement as they started a rag tag few, and growing to a few thousand so quickly, seeing God do amazing things as they devoted themselves to the word, fellowship and prayer.

Now we are so busy, we hardly know one another, never mind meeting with each other daily in large and small setting to pray, hear the word and eat meals together. Discipleship is a life on life reality, yet we have turned it into a rushed 4 week intrusion on our time. I believe when people of faith get together with one mind toward one another and the gospel, and are praying and preaching the gospel, God still does amazing wonders; unfortunately, we’re too busy to witness it.

Questions

Do you find these verses attractive? Why? Why not?

What keeps us from being able to look more like this?

Are our excuses legitimate? How so?

What can we do to look more like this scenario?

Do you feel that if we did look more like this, we may see God do wonders amongst us?