I had a breakfast meeting this morning with another man from our church, and our conversation turned to church life, and our church in particular. After that time, I came home and started reading in the Book of Acts, looking again at the New Testament church and what it looked like in its world.
The time right after the resurrection and ascent of Jesus, was a unique period, as the apostles began their witness through their teaching and preaching. People were added to the "church" in big numbers, and the world around them began to take notice. The Holy Spirit was given to the disciples, and people believed their testimony.
What does that early church have to do with us? A lot of church organizations profess to be based on the model of the early church, but what does that look like, especially in our country?
What I see in Acts is a group of people, operating on the same page, loving each other, breaking bread together, meeting for the apostles teaching, having all things in common, and being willing to give up everything for each other and for Jesus. Men and women were attracted to these groups as they witnessed their love and sacrifice for Jesus and each other.
The challenge for any church is fostering that love and relationship among those who attend. In many parts of the world, where they have the ongoing fear of persecution, along with poverty, and a shared bond of the above among the disciples, the church is growing and thriving.
So, how do we achieve a level of togetherness and sharing in a society of mobility, busyness, and privacy?
God loves the people of America, which includes the people where I live, and I believe that he wants us to live in accordance to His Plan and Will. What that looks like, I'm not sure, but I know it includes trust in Him, love for His People, and a willingness to live a lifestyle that will be a draw to others.
And my personal prayer in this whole area is to help me to be a part of the solution and not part of the problem.
Amen
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