Awe and Wonder : Part Eleven

Awe and Wonder : Part Eleven

‘They committed (devoted) themselves to :
– the teaching of the apostles
– the life together (fellowship)
– the common meal (breaking of bread)
– the prayers.
Everyone was in awe – all those wonders and signs done through the apostles!
And all the believers lived in a wonderful harmony, holding everything in common. They sold whatever they owned and pooled their resources so that each person’s need was met.
They followed a daily discipline of worship in the Temple, followed by meals at home, every meal a celebration, exuberant and joyful, as they praised God. People in general liked what they saw. Every day their number grew as God added those who were being saved.’
(Acts 2 v. 42 – 47)

NOTES
‘Awe and wonder’ gets mentioned a lot in the book of Acts, as the new community of believers lives out its newly Spirit-filled life.

This snapshot of the foundation of the early church has always been inspirational to me – what did they attend to, what were their priorities, what has been important from the start?
Luke mentions four things – ~
teaching / bible;
fellowship / togetherness;
breaking bread / eating together;
prayer.
And Luke says they were ‘devoted’ to these things – deeply committed to something they loved to do, something they lived to do.

May we commit ourselves to effective discipleship through remaining committed to these things.
There are indications here of sacrificial generosity (selling property to respond to needs)as well as the miraculous signs which accompanied their teaching.
And a great sense of unity, of purpose, of mission.
They were liked, by most, and saw people coming to faith ‘daily’.

PRAYER
Do it again, Lord.
Do it in us, Lord.
Your Spirit empowering our life together
Your Spirit reaching out through us
Your Spirit drawing ‘daily’ those who are experiencing freedom / salvation.
We make ourselves available to You, Lord.
We long to be Yours.
AMEN.

Phil Gough