SIGNS OF A HEALTHY CHURCH - II

Acts 2:42-47
Bob Bonner
July 04, 2010

This morning we return to a very unique passage of Scripture. It concerns what signs we can look for in our individual life and in the life of their church family that reveal the level of spiritual health in both.  Acts 2:42-47 describes the historical outworking of God’s ideal in the first local church. It describes the newborn church in its prime, when it possessed a purity of devotion to our risen Lord, a depth of devotion that, unfortunately, has been unmatched in succeeding generations. All Scripture is important and relevant to our lives, but sometimes some passages come across our path of study at extremely strategic times, and I believe that right now, this couldn’t be a more important passage of Scripture for us to examine and take to heart personally and corporately as a church family. 

I’d like us to first read once more the entire passage of Scripture and then review quickly what we studied last week--the first two of three tests of personal and corporate spiritual health. Then we will continue on with our examination and application of God’s Word to our lives today. Beginning with verse 42, we read:

They [those new believers who had just put their trust in Christ] were

continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to

fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. ⁴³Everyone kept

feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place

through the apostles. ⁴⁴And all those who had believed were together

and had all things in common; ⁴⁵and they began selling their property

and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have

need. ⁴⁶Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and

breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals

together with gladness and sincerity of heart, ⁴⁷praising God and having

favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number

day by day those who were being saved. 

Last time we never moved beyond verse 42, because it sets the stage for everything that follows. Dr. Luke’s words, “They were continually devoting themselves to” highlights for us the high priority that these first Christians placed on what we are calling three examinations of spiritual health. These three activities as a whole that we read about in verses 42-47 were considered the single-most important priority in their lives. Christ has preeminence. That which governed all arenas of their lives, that which trumped all arenas, was revealed by the three major activities spoken of in these verses.

And as we will see, it is out of this single-most important priority in life that everything that is of any value or importance to the Christian ambassador of Jesus flows. In other words, if they or we are going to serve Christ and effectively introduce others to Christ in a world that so wants to disregard Him, ignore Him, pretend that He never existed, and reject His right to rule their lives, everything we do must begin with the objectives mentioned in these verses.

As I mentioned last week, the grammar of the Greek in verse 42 sets off the first two signs of spiritual health. They are being devoted to the Apostle’s teaching, the study and teaching of God’s Word, and being devoted to fellowship with other believers. 

As it concerned the teaching and the study of God’s Word, we mentioned last time that its purpose or objective was not to indoctrinate or to merely fill their minds with information, but to teach the truth of God in such a manner that it would be applied to their daily lives. He would use this application to transform their minds, attitudes, goals, and everything about them as newly born-again believers. The purpose of the teaching was to equip and to strengthen them in their personal relationship with Christ. It was to point them to spiritual maturity.

As it concerned fellowship, last time we merely introduced this subject. We didn’t really have the time to look closely at this indicator of spiritual health, which we do have today. Last time we simply defined what the Bible describes as Christian fellowship. We said that the fellowship mentioned here referred to the holding in common ideas, attitudes, purposes, missions, and activities that centered on Christ.

Distinct from these first two signs of spiritual health in verse 42 are two other activities that illustrate what spiritually healthy fellowship looks like. The first is the breaking of bread, and the second is the holding as a priority the practice of corporate prayer.

The first century expression "breaking of bread" held two meanings. Sometimes it referred simply to having a meal together as Christians. It was common to their culture that the Jews of the first century would often share meals with other families and friends. It was part of their community life. The Christians would meet together and use their meal times to encourage one another in the Lord. Today we may do this with our small groups that meet in homes on a weekly basis, or we may do it in other informal Bible studies. During their meal times together, the new Jewish Christians did what we do. They prayed with each other, they encouraged each other from the Word, and they challenged each other to continue to walk steadfastly in the faith. They would invite seekers to join them to ask questions about Jesus. In a very real sense, it was during these times that closeness or family life as believers was lived out.

The second meaning attributed to “breaking bread together” was a reference to sharing in the Lord's Supper or taking communion together. Sometimes, both of these aspects of “breaking bread together” occurred. People would gather together for a meal, around which they would deliberately encourage one another, study God’s Word, pray together, and have communion.

The second distinctive manner which Luke highlights as an example of healthy fellowship is corporate prayer. Once again, the actual Greek here says, “and to the prayers.” The article “the” with “prayer” implies formal times of corporate prayer as demonstrated in 1:14.

Historically, prayer has always been a weakness of the church. Even in the early days of the church, corporate gatherings to pray didn’t last very long. By that I don’t mean that their prayer times were brief or short, but rather their commitment to meeting together to pray on a regular basis was not long lived. As a direct consequence of letting this priority of private and corporate prayer slip away, the church in Jerusalem became less effective for Christ. The devotion to Christ began to wane. They became half-hearted in their living for Christ.

This raises an important question: Why is it that we have such an aversion to prayer? For those who have studied this problem for years, the answer is clear. As human beings, we typically only pray when we feel a need. Not realizing or admitting our need to stay in touch with the Lord reveals a lack of gratefulness to God for all that He has done for us. In addition, it is a sign of our arrogance and wrong belief that we can get along in life without totally depending upon the Lord. Finally, prayer takes time. Prayer is hard work. Prayer is humbling. There are many other Christian activities that are more invigorating, but none are more important than prayer. Typically today, prayer meetings find only the humble or needy showing up, when in reality we all need to be praying more together.

Dr. Harry Ironside once stated that, "Prayer is an expression of dependence, and when the people of God really feel their need you will find them flocking together to pray. A neglected prayer meeting indicates very little recognition of one's true need."

Prayer, both private and corporate, is a very revealing test of the depth of one’s true fellowship with Christ. As it is with sitting under the teaching of the Word of God-- we could always use more--so it is with prayer. 

But really, how are we doing as a church and how are you doing individually in this area of prayer?  Honestly, as I try to make an accurate evaluation of where we are in our spiritual health as a church, I find that we are not a very healthy church at this moment. We may look good on the outside, but on the inside we are weak spiritually. At the very least, we have much room for strengthening in this area. Why do I say that? Having spoken to many of you personally, I am aware that there are some among us who are praying individually in private at home. I have no doubt about that. But our commitment to the seriousness of corporate prayer is what is evidently lacking in this fellowship. 

Allow me to demonstrate: For the past six months we have announced that on the first Sunday of the month, Communion Sunday, we have had either an afternoon or early evening corporate prayer time here at the church. One of our Elders, Dallas Wassink, has been leading that for us. We pray for an hour or maybe a little more each time we have gotten together. Do you want to know how many have been in attendance? Eight people is the average, including the youth! Can you give a rational explanation as to why so few are showing up? If it is an inconvenient time, let us as elders know, and we will look into a time that works better. But I must ask you first, does the priority of prayer reach higher than your convenience?  Some would say, “Well, I have been out of town or sick.” Really? For all of the past six months? I can see that as a possibility of maybe ten to fifteen people in this congregation.  Keep in mind that these healthy Christians in Acts 2 were “devoted continually to prayer.” Would that describe our church family? 

Friends, this might feel like the spiritual doctor coming into your personal examination room to tell you news that you really don’t want to hear. But the results of the exam are what they are. So, what are we going to do about it? If you have not made it a priority to be here to pray one time on one of those six Sundays, I challenge you to ask yourself why. Better yet, if Jesus were to ask you that question, how would you answer Him as to why you and others in your family are not praying corporately with the church? Do you think your reasons would pass His gaze? 

By the way, I know it is the Fourth of July and there are many who have family obligations. But what a statement you as parents and grandparents can make by your example before the rest of your family to gather together here to pray. I’ll be here ready to pray at 4 pm with all of you who wish to join me.

Beginning with verse 43 and down through verse 46, we see another illustration of what true healthy Christian fellowship looks like.

⁴³Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs

were taking place through the apostles. ⁴⁴And all those who had believed

were together and had all things in common; ⁴⁵and they began selling

their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone

might have need. ⁴⁶Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple,

and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals

together with gladness and sincerity of heart, ⁴⁷praising God and having

favor with all the people.

There is a lot of information in those verses, but in general they describe the aspect of fellowship exhibited by an outward demonstration of commitment to church family life. Allow me to highlight a few points that illustrate the spiritual health of the individual as well as the spiritual health of the church as it relates to the life of the church family.

First notice that “everyone,” and I believe that refers here to both believers and non-believers, were in awe at what was happening around them and among them. The fact that “everyone” refers to both groups is confirmed, because in verse 44 Luke limits his comments from this point on down to verse 46 to just the believers. According to verse 47, all of these new Jewish believers in Christ found favor in the eyes of their fellow Jews. It wasn’t just the signs and wonders that were impacting the believers and non-believers concerning the truth of the message that the apostles were preaching. It was the miracle of how these new believers loved and cared for one another, including the new believers who were total strangers at the beginning of the day. 

To be specific, Luke tells us that both the non-believers and the believers were amazed by the impressive display of love and unity amongst the Christians. Most of the information of the next two verses describes the impressive commitment of these Christians to live as a committed family. For instance, they demonstrated not only their love for Christ, but out of that love flowed their commitment to love each other. This love was first exhibited in they way they met the temporary needs of their fellow believers who were from out of town and only there in Jerusalem to join in the feast of Pentecost.

Contrary to what some liberal theologians would like us to believe, these verses have nothing to do with a political order based on socialism or communism. It had to do with a unique situation at the time: Jews from all over the known world had traveled to Jerusalem to celebrate Pentecost. But the return home for many was being delayed due to their coming to Christ and being discipled. They were running out of money goods and were in need. Seeing their need, those who lived in Jerusalem or the surrounding area shared what they had with those who were from out of town. 

Peter clearly teaches in Acts 5:3-4 that a person has the right to private property and should not be forced to give it away. If they voluntarily wish to, that is their decision.  This is not, as some politicians would like us to believe, an example of “the haves” being forced to help the “have nots.” These verses do not support or legitimize socialism or communism. People voluntarily, out of love for the brethren, gave as the need arose for these out-of-town brethren who were being discipled. They eventually left and went home to be a witness for Christ, and with their departure, this temporary practice ceased.

I have experienced this kind of awe-inspiring love of fellow Christians for other Christians from out of town once each year for the past five years when Grace Community Church in Southern California hosts the annual Shepherd’s Conference. During that week, more than 3000 pastors and leaders of churches from around the world gather at Grace Community Church. The elders of that church host many of these out-of-towners at their homes for free. The whole church comes out to serve meals, set up chairs, sell books, and basically make sure we have everything we need to be encouraged and better equipped to lead the sheep. It is the greatest example of hospitality by any one church that I have ever witnessed. Yet, it is a temporary situation lasting only one week. The members of Grace Community Church could not and do not do that sort of thing all the time. But when the need arises, they meet the need.

Another clue to the temporariness of this practice of selling one’s goods to meet the needs of others is seen in the Greek verb tense of both verbs “selling” and “sharing.” The verb tense indicates that the selling and giving were occasional, in response to particular needs, not a once and for always practice.

Furthermore, Scripture warns us that the meeting of these types of needs did not include giving to those who were living irresponsibly or foolishly. If these believers had family, their family was to first try to meet their needs. In addition, before the church family met financial needs of others, those in need had to have demonstrated that they had submitted their lives to Christ and to their church family before the church gave them money.

Secondly, our passage shows us that others were in awe of these believers because they saw a unity demonstrated by their one-mindedness, the likes of which they had never seen before. They were not just committed as a church family to meet others’ immediate needs, but their worship was so unique, vibrant, exciting, and real that those who observed it stood in awe.

Notice that our text tells us that they were still worshiping formally and corporately in the temple. In addition, it points to an informal worship that took place in homes. It’s interesting to me today that there have been two responses to the house church movement. One view says, “The church is only effective and real and caring and able to hold others accountable if they meet as a house church. The mega-church,” they suggest, “serves little purpose in truly building into others’ lives.” Some even suggest that large formal churches are not a New Testament concept. On the other hand, a second view says, “No, that can’t be. Having a host of small house churches is dangerous in that those small house churches can become a cult, because they have no real oversight, theological protection, or accountability preventing them from going astray. Real worship can only take place in a formal church.” As I see this passage, both of those views are short sighted. God’s Word demonstrates that for a church family to be healthy, it really needs both the formal style of a larger corporate worship as was commanded the by God of Israel, as well as an informal style of worship in a smaller setting. It’s one reason we continue to encourage you to become a member of a small group, within which you can experience an aspect of church family life that is impossible to experience in the larger formal setting.

Also, notice the expressions which reveal the unity and commitment to church family life. They shared their stories of how they got saved and from what the Lord had rescued them. They openly with gladness expressed gratefulness to God for it. They shared in prayer together, and as was already noted, in the breaking of bread. Verse 46 points out the sincerity of their hearts.

I enjoyed Chuck Swindoll’s observation about the Greek word Dr. Luke used for “sincerity.” Chuck tells us that this word means “free from rocks” or “smooth.” It is translated elsewhere as “simplicity.” The idea is that these gatherings of Christians were smooth together, free from the bumps of contentiousness. Emotional rough edges of others were overlooked or missed, because the bigger more important purpose was kept in view—to get to better know Christ and to honor Him together as a church family.

As I consider these examples of spiritual health lived out by these early believers, I can’t help but think of that familiar remark that I have heard too often from those who rarely if ever attend church. When they tell you, “I’m a Christian,” and you respond by asking them, “Where do you go to church?” they sometimes say, “Oh, I don’t, because I don’t need to go to church to be a Christian.” I suggest that this typical response reveals more about that person than it does the reality of their need to be an active part of a church family. First, if such a person is truly saved, which I doubt, it reveals that he is either very ignorant or he is arrogant or both! I said that I doubt that such a person is a Christian, because he maintains a lifestyle that is the exact opposite of what we are told in the Scriptures is characteristic of a true believer.  His behavior stands in direct denial and contradiction to what those first devout and healthy Christians did and what all other true Christians have always done down through history. They have been devoted to the reading of the Word and to fellowship.

In verses 43, 46, and 47, I spot one more test of the spiritual health of the individual and of the church family. There is evidence throughout these verses that Christians demonstrate their degree of spiritual healthiness by their observable commitment to reaching the unsaved.  The first Jerusalem Christians were not so preoccupied with learning, sharing, and worshiping that they forgot about witnessing.

How else can one explain Luke’s comment at the end of verse 47 that states, “And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved?” The adding to their number came by having non-believers hang out with them in the temple and in their home groups, continuing to listen to and observe what was going on. Just like today, some people need a little more convincing before they decide to make such a radical shift in lifestyle and commitment. Remember, these were Jews who were being called to totally change their theology and practical manner and tradition of religious life to follow Jesus. It was a huge change for them.

Furthermore, the verb, “kept adding” plus the adverb, “daily” tell us that the early church’s evangelism was not an occasional or sporadic activity. Just as their worship was daily, so was their outreach to the unsaved.

I guess one can say that the signs of spiritually healthy and growing individuals and churches are that they are learning, loving, praying, worshiping, and reaching out to their world as ambassadors of Christ. Or to state it even more clearly, there are three signs that mark a spiritually healthy believer: he hungers for the Word, he recognizes the need for fellowship with other believers and invests the time required to create it, and he is ready to share his faith with all who will listen.

Similarly, there are three signs of a healthy church family. It is a local body where the Word of God is a key focus, offering quality teaching time; it provides opportunities for fellowship besides just Sunday morning; and members actively demonstrate their concern that their friends and family who don’t know Christ hear about Him. The healthy church is outwardly looking to reach the lost, to pray for them, and to reach out to them with the Gospel.

As you look at these specific tests for spiritual health, how are you doing personally? What do the results of these exams reveal about how you are really doing? If you see some areas that need attention, what are you going to do about it? Ignore it? If you want to do something, but you don’t know what to do, ask me or the other elders. We would be more than happy to give you some counsel.

Furthermore, as you understand these tests for the spiritual health of the church family, how would you say we are doing? What are some areas that we need some improvement? What are you going to do about those areas where you see a need? As elders, we hope that you will help us to continue to make sure we are providing a healthy atmosphere for family growth. You can do that not only with your concerns and suggestions, but with your involvement and commitment to make sure that you are doing your part to make us a healthy church family.

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