Sermon - The Fellowship of Believers

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

Acts 2:42-47 

Acts 2:42-47 is a short description of the early church’s daily activities. In this portion of verses, we were able to see the basic activities of the church consisted more than just attending Sunday service. After receiving the Holy Spirit, the believers were empowered with joy and gifts that helped them to carry our various things to keep the believers together. They were small in number, a remnant, but nonetheless they were together.

V42 mentioned 4 basic things done by the early church. They were attentive to the Apostles’ Teaching, the fellowship, the breaking of bread and prayer. Today, we are going to focus on each of these 4 basic activities, in hope to inspire each of you in LXBC to keep yourselves healthy as a church.

The Apostles’ Teaching

The Apostles’ Teaching is central to the Christian Faith. They made up the overall doctrine of the Christian faith. As apostles, they are close followers of Jesus when He walked the earth. While He was alive on earth, the Lord poured Himself onto the apostles by teaching them personally, equipping them with the mysteries of God and revealing the secrets behind all His parables. Jesus specifically revealed and explained the parables to the apostles themselves. Acts 1:21-22 described the requirement of an apostle. The apostle must be a follower and witness from the beginning of His ministry to His resurrection to His ascension. All the teachings of Jesus was passed down to the church through the apostles. Therefore, it is important that the apostle’s teaching guides the church in the ways of Christ.

The Apostles’ Teaching is the identity of a Christian Church. In Matthew 16:18, Jesus prophesied that Peter, one of the apostles shall be the foundation of the church which Jesus Himself will build. Prior to making the statement, Peter has just confessed that Jesus is the Messiah. What this means is that the doctrine of Jesus Christ as the Messiah is foundational to the church. It is the defining difference that sets the Church apart from the majority Jewish unbelievers at the time. The difference is so apparent that the Greek pagans started labeling the followers as “Christian”. No doubt, since the resurrection and ascension of Christ, the apostles had never stopped telling people about Jesus as the Savior of the World.

The Apostles’ Teaching is also the Lord’s Daily Bread. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, the apostles’ teaching fulfills the spiritual hunger of the believers. In v43, we see the apostles’ teachings are accompanied by many signs and wonders. They were a necessary part of the early church. The 400 years of silence created a deep spiritual hunger no bread can fill. The signs and wonders are manifestations of the work and presence of God among the Jews. Today, we may or may not witness these miraculous signs and wonders, but we are given a complete collection of the apostles’ teaching – the Holy Bible. 1 Cor 13:8-10, Paul talked about the coming of the complete, referring to the completion of the Holy Bible as our record of doctrine today. The New Testament is a collection of the historical account of Jesus’ life and the apostles’ teaching to the early churches in form of epistles and letters.

As a church, how often do we study and discuss the apostles’ teaching from the Bible? The younger generations often look for excitement and thrill in the church. We can appear completely excited about going to church or attending cell group, but there is hardly any time to sit down quietly to meditate on the Word of God. As a church, I encourage all of you to join the church for Bible Study as often as you can. Apart from reading the Bible by yourself, corporate Bible Study can help you to explore the Scriptures in ways you could probably not by yourself. By God’s grace, I have stepped down as a Vice President and given a role as a Cell Group Leader in Christian Fellowship. Last month was our first Bible Study. I was nervous because I thought I wasn’t doing a good job, but I was deeply encouraged by all my members. A few of them remarked that they were not willing to come in the first place. They felt inferior and ashamed because they thought to themselves that they lack Bible knowledge. Nonetheless they came and they did not regret coming. The Bible Study helped them to spend time in the Scripture and helped them to explore the Word of God even with little knowledge that they have.

The Fellowship

The Fellowship is a friendly gathering of believers. In the early church times, the believers come together to attend and to care for one another. This gathering of believers is the most apparent distinction between the believing Jews and the non-believing Jews. V44 & 46 described that the believers were together every day. They were so eager to meet with one another, they would do it every day. They meet in the temple, their homes and even dining tables. It was very important for each of them to keep in touch with each other.

The Fellowship is an act of corporate worship. Believers were gathering in places for one focused purpose: to worship God. The temple represents the presence of God to the Jews, therefore, gathering together at the temple was a physical manifestation of a worshipful heart. Probably for the first time, they were so gladly worshiping the Lord, they would invite one another to do so together. The fellowship is important because they find encouragement in one another. In modern times, this is the same. Very often, we can be discouraged to come for the weekly Sunday Worship. There are among us who feels the Sunday service is redundant and an utter waste of time. I once heard from a junior who feels Sunday service and weekly Christian Fellowship is a waste of time and he would rather spend those time daydreaming and study. To them, maybe, for many others however, gathering together every Sunday is a necessary “injection” of encouragement after an eventful week. I often tell people, physical presence, though may seem useless, can help to tell encouragement in ways SMS and Text Messages cannot. Our presence in church can help to encourage those who are weak that in this troublesome walk of life, they are not alone!

Ultimately, the fellowship is a launching pad for outreach ministry and evangelism. As a fellowship, it cultivates cooperation in order to serve the needs of others and to reach out to non-believers. V46-47 records that the fellowship finds favor with people. The fellowship plays her role as a support group as they equip the believers and send them out as missionaries and evangelists. As a church, we provide financial support for missions and evangelism. Philippians 4:10-20 spoke of the Church of Philippe providing for Paul in his missions. Their timely providence for Paul enabled him to continue to bring the Gospel to the Gentiles. And through the support of the early churches, God began His plan of salvation for all humanity to reach the four corners of the earth.

Therefore, brothers and sisters, it is important for us to function properly and healthily as a church. We must have one common mind and share a common goal, which is: to realize the Great Commission that Christ has given us!

Breaking of Bread

In today’s language, breaking of bread means to share possession or belonging with someone. It can also mean to invite someone over for a meal. In Jesus’ time, breaking of bread could probably mean to share all that they have. The Christian faith reaches out mostly to the poor. Most of them live from day to day. Yet, to share bread with someone else could mean to share the food they may have only enough for themselves that day. Nonetheless, they did. They shared all that they have and all that they could as indicated in v44 and 45.

A church cares for the physical need of their members as well. Bread signifies physical food. To break bread means to fulfill the physical needs of other members. They may be hungry, feed them; they may be naked, cloth them; they may be homeless, shelter them. The church has more than spiritual needs to meet and spiritual hunger to fulfill. James 2:15-16 warned us that fulfilling physical needs is as important as to fulfill spiritual needs. “If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?” 

About two years ago, one of the members of Christian Fellowship had trouble keeping his meal and tuition fee paid. None of the committee members knew his struggle. It was our pastor who sensed something wrong with him. I was guilty of overlooking and neglecting this member. Only about a year ago I found out about this from pastor. Even with a petite figure, he was eating one meal a day and owed the university tuition fee. His PTPTN was cut because he was struggling hard with his subjects. Engineering subjects were difficult. PBBC stepped in and helped him. With our month collected charity fund, the church helped him to get through one difficult semester. Pastor also personally coached and encouraged him in his study, empowering him to grow both spiritually and physically. The church has responsibility to seek out such hidden struggle and walk them through hard times.

We must not share our possessions because we have extra, but because we have enough. It is charitable and admirable to share our old clothes and extra possessions. Honestly, more often than not, a lot of us are using such donation as a way to dispose things that we do not want. Earlier this year, Christian Fellowship sent a team of 8 on a mission to the Orang Asli. We asked for donations and gifts from churches. A large portion of donations are old clothes and unwanted toys. The team spent hours sorting out the clothes from the pants. It was in complete mess, and about half of them were disposed. We thank the church for such generous donation, but it would definitely be thoughtful to give proper consideration of what to donate. In a way, it was rather disrespectful for us to treat the poorer people as a rubbish dump. However, if sharing possessions stems from a contented heart, we will be sharing the best thing that we have. If I have a good bowl of rice, I’ll give half of them to you; I will share the same clothes that I wear and you’ll be eating from the same load of bread. Matthew 7:12 Jesus said “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” In the same way, when you share your possessions, share the best of them gladly! Because when we share out of a content heart, we will not share expecting a return, and we will be safe from the trap of Prosperity Gospel.

Prayer

Prayer is the driving force of a church. As heart and blood of a church, prayer keeps the church alive. It drives and directs the church to move and to expand. Through prayers, the church was able to overcome challenges and averted crisis that may seem humanly impossible. Through prayers, many signs and wonders were performed and many believed. The New Testament does not lack good examples of crisis averted through prayer. Acts 12:5-19 records an account of Peter being rescued from the prison miraculously. More importantly, prior to this rescue, v12 records that “earnest prayer for him was made by the church.” In this instance, prayer was an act of trust that the Lord will rescue. Instead of taking actions into their own hands, they realized that they could not fight against the strong and were desperate to rely on God who is stronger. In another instance, prayer was a way to seek the Lord’s counsel. After the betrayal and death of Judas, the believers needed someone to take over his place. In Acts 1:23-25, the congregation prayed for God’s guidance and it was revealed to them by lot casting. The believers knew that prayer is what keeping the church in the right path.

Prayer empowers the believers. Through prayer, the believers were able to discern the will of God. They have been strengthened and emboldened by prayer. Missionaries were anointed and appointed through prayer. Through prayer, the believers were empowered to move beyond the Middle East to Asia then to the Western Civilization. One good example of the congregation seeking for empowerment by prayer took place after the arrest and release of Peter and John in Acts 4. In v23-31, the believers were deeply encouraged by the boldness of Peter and John before the council. They wanted to be as bold and so they prayed. And the prayer was answered with the empowerment by the Holy Spirit. Prayer empowers the believers for ministerial work. Acts 13:2-3 records the beginning of Paul’s journey with Barnabas to bring the Gospel to the Gentiles. They were fasting and worshipping when the Lord spoke to the congregation. Before they sent them off, they fasted and prayed for Paul and Barnabas. Our salvation as Gentiles today, is a wonderful result of the early church’s prayer that anointed Paul and Barnabas.

Prayer is the counterpart of the Apostles’ Teaching. The Apostles’ Teaching is believer-ward communication while prayer is God-ward communication. It keeps the church in touch with God. It keeps the church connected to God and to continually rely on Him. Philippians 4:6-7. As Paul comforts the Church of Philippe, he revealed that prayer is how believers can make our request and our deepest longing made known to God. In a way, he was indicating how an innocent child of God can talk to his Father. 

In Year 1756, the Great Britain was facing an imminent invasion from the French. In the face of such crisis and pressing alarm of war, the King of Britain called for a solemn National Fast in May 31. This day was recorded in the British History as follow:

The National Assembly of the Church of Scotland, in this important crisis, when we have much to fear from our enemies, and more from our own follies and heinous transgressions, do, therefore, most seriously call and exhort all to the duties of solemn fasting, humiliation, and prayer, upon such a day as his Majesty shall please to appoint; the Assembly having made humble application to him to name the day, and interpose his royal authority for the due observation thereof; and they do earnestly obtest persons of all ranks, as they tender the favour of Almighty God, and the welfare of these nations, to humble themselves, with penitent and contrite souls, in the sight of that God who, dwelling in his high and holy place, dwelleth also with them who are of contrite and humble hearts, to confess and forsake their sins, imploring, through Jesus Christ, grace and mercy from the Father of mercies.

Prior to this day, the Great Britain did all the preparation that they could to face this formidable enemy. They declared war against the French King, organized their troop, commissioned Ministers and Rulers for the affairs of the conflict and etc. But the King of Britain knows that the war is a war cannot be won unless God is on his side. The imminent invasion set an alarm for the people of Great Britain as a reminder to them that they had grown complacent in the blessings of God. The History wrote: 

“Yet, notwithstanding all this goodness showed to these nations, just cause there is to lament that we have not learned wisdom from our dangers, nor gratitude from our deliverances; that we have not duly prized nor improved our advantages; but as God has multiplied his favours upon us, we have multiplied our transgressions against the God of heaven; and too visible it is, that infidelity, luxury, vice, and profaneness, have widely diffused their contagion, and infected this nation.”

The complacency of the people of Great Britain had put the Church of Scotland in a state of divine-disconnection. As they indulge in their luxury, they had been away from God and had forsaken prayer. This imminent danger of invasion, and a desperate decision made by the King of Britain, had called all people of Britain to repent, and to reconnect to God through fasting and prayer. Prayer reconnects man to God in relationship and sustains it. No true relationship can be built upon the lack of communication. Prayer provides the means to build such relationship. And sure enough, as John Wesley put it, in account of the solemn fast: “Humility was turned into national rejoicing for the threatened invasion by the French was averted.” John Wesley recounted that day: “The fast day was a glorious day, such as London has scarce seen since the Restoration. Every church in the city was more than full, and a solemn seriousness sat on every face. Surely God heareth prayer, and there will yet be a lengthening of our tranquility.”

The church will always face crisis and persecution. While it may seem difficult and bad, it is a great opportunity to remind the church to rely on Christ, her husband, just as a wife relies on her husband for providence and protection. Prayer is the best tool to keep the church’s marriage and intimate relationship with Christ.

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Today, I would like to encourage all of you to come together as a church to keep the church healthy and purposeful. Starting with these four basic activities, the church can grow stronger and united together. It is saddening to see pastors begging their members to come for Bible Study and Prayer Meeting. Pastors beg you to come because he cares for the health of the church. It is the body of Christ that he must care for. Without a proper foundation of the Apostles’ Teaching, the bonding of the Fellowship, the Breaking of Bread and the drive of Prayer, a church cannot function properly to honor and worship God. It takes each and every one of you to come together in love for one another to honor and worship God. Because Jesus charged the apostles (John 13:34-35): “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

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Post-sermon thoughts: This sermon is probably my worst time ever. I guess after some time of preaching, I have for myself a certain standards that I hold up to. The content of my sermon was important for me, but I had subtly expected myself to deliver the message better. My confidence became my downfall and my lack of preparation threw me off my feet. My strength became my weakness, as I naturally seek to change my strategy by observing audience's response, which in the end changed the very focus that I wanted to deliver. The sermon was all over the place, and I was beating around the bush.

Nonetheless, I know for sure I have learned something. My failure will not hinder the work of God, for He is good, powerful, merciful and sovereign. I have also learn that it has nothing to do with my glory but God's glory. This is the work of God, I am only servant. It is not my credit to take. I will do better, and next time, with more prayer and more prayer.

God's Character, My Encounter.