Acts 2:42-47 gives us a glimpse of what the church is supposed to look like. It's hard to put together a puzzle without having the box top as a guide. Christian community isn't found, it's formed. With a cost. Community that costs nothing changes nothing.
v 42-43 continually devoting themselves, with determination, not giving up, continuing to pay attention. This goes against the grain of our culture. A time commitment. They were devoting themselves to the apostles teaching about Jesus. This is what we need to be centered around.
Devoted to fellowship, which is deeper than chitchat, sharing our lives, sharing meals. Dedicated to prayer and teaching. Depending on the Lord. Feeling a sense of awe to what God was doing…signs and wonders pointing to God.
JFBC believes there are many who need to get more involved in Christian community. This takes time. You can't get Christian Community by logging in on line. You have to show up.
v 44 all the believers were together and had all things in common, selling their possessions voluntarily to share and meet the needs of others, furthering the gospel.
v 45 they gave of their treasure, they were good stewards of what God has given them. Not an easy thing to make this committment, to trust God with your money.
2 Cor 9:6-7 Commitment comes with a cost. God wants us to be cheerful givers.
v 45-47 continued in one mind, doing life together, forming Christian community, sharing life.
Is church like a subway car, people headed in the same direction but not connecting with each other, or like a fire with people gathered around together?
Later on in the week Clay traveled to NYC to visit several JFBC church plants, wearing Nike Panda Dunks. Today I picked up a pair of Pandas as well. A Red Sox fan, Clay knew better than to wear a Boston cap in the Bronx.
Retired pitcher Hal Newhouser, working as a scout for the Astros, emphatically recommended they select DEREK JETER [SABR Bio] number one overall in the 1992 draft. They took Phil Nevin instead. Newhouser quit in protest, leaving baseball behind for good. Newhouser was elected to the Hall that same year. Read more here. Jeter's name means "to throw" in French, is pronounced zheh-tay. As a 'kid', Jeter had a Dave Winfield poster on his wall. This is one of the first things we learn about Jeter in his "Letter to My Younger Self".
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