Last week, we got started on a 4-week worship series called “God Blesses,” asking the question: Are we the kind of church that God blesses? We looked to the Early Church (first 5 centuries) to find out what they were doing that God blessed so much; we did that through looking at the first couple of chapters of the Book of Acts in the New Testament. And today, we continue on that path…
Let me ask you a question, as we begin this time today: How in the world is it that we so often miss the blessings of God? ‘You know what I’ve noticed from the early days of the church on …even to today? We don’t miss the blessings of God when we receive them every single day; we only miss the blessings of God … when they’re not there!
Folks, something’s happening in the church today … and I still feel like that pastor I spoke of last week (who visited England). But it’s not only the churches in London that are desperate for ‘the blessing of God’; in many ways, I believe the whole Church today is desperate for ‘the blessing of God! So, what are we going to do about it? Well, let’s go to Acts 2, once again, to see what the Early Church was up to…
Let me set this up for you: The Holy Spirit had just arrived in the room of believers—including all of Jesus’ followers at that time (i.e. Apostles, Jesus’ family, etc.). Do you remember? The disciples began to preach with great power & confidence … and everyone was hearing them in their own language. Of course, some began trying to explain away what God was doing right before them. Then Peter responds, letting them know what they were witnessing. It was … prophecy coming true! So, let’s begin here: If we want to be a church God blesses…
WE NEED TO BE A CHURCH WHO PUTS EVERY MEMBER’S GIFTS INTO ACTION! Just listen to Peter’s explanation to the crowd… Here it is in verses 15-18 and 21 of Acts, Chapter 2:
These people aren’t drunk as some of you suspect. They haven’t had time to get drunk—it’s only nine o’clock in the morning. 16 This is what the prophet Joel announced would happen: 17 “In the Last Days,” God says, “I will pour out my Spirit on every kind of people: Your sons will prophesy, also your daughters; Your young men will see visions, your old men dream dreams. 18 When the time comes, I’ll pour out my Spirit On those who serve me, men and women both, and they’ll prophesy. … 21 And whoever calls out for help to me, God, will be saved.”
When God’s Spirit is poured out on the Church, along with that Spirit of God come the gifts that God gives us to do the work of the Church! God’s expectation is that we’ll not only accept, but use the gifts he’s given us…
One of the major differences between the Early Church and the modern church is that, in the Early Church all of its people were in ministry in some way. No one sat on the sidelines! Everyone was involved in the ministry of the church. And this was God’s intention from the start…
I think back to the men who first followed Jesus—those he called to be disciples … and I don’t think it was a coincidence that he called fisherman first! I don’t know if you know any professional fisherman or not, but they are people of action. When something needs to be done, they just do it! They’re a hearty bunch, who put their lives on the line day after day, week after week. And (I don’t think coincidentally), many professional fisherman have a strong connection to God … who also rules the seas. And in many fishing communities, whenever a community church needs help or support, it’s the fisherman’s families that are among the first to volunteer…
Because of what I’ve been taught about fishermen, I think I can better understand why Peter and Andrew, James and John left their nets to immediately go and follow Jesus. Fishermen are ‘all or nothing’ kind of people. Being timid or half-hearted just isn’t a part of their personalities. It takes a great deal of courage to do what they do every day! And I think Jesus knew this when he asked the Galilean fishermen to follow him. If they joined his team, so to speak, then they would give their hearts and minds, souls and strength to his ministry and mission. There would be no half-measures … and there’d be no holding them back…
Folks, we too are called to be Disciples of Jesus Christ, but sometimes we let other things get in the way. Instead of leaving our nets behind and immediately following Jesus, we tend to hold onto them … and drag them with us wherever we go. Christ, however, needs us to let go of the past, so that we can allow him to lead us into a brighter future … with him! If we truly want to serve him—just like those fishermen who started the Early Church, it’s all or nothing…
To be the kind of church God blesses, our church shouldn’t let people settle for just sitting still (pew warmers) … because that’s NOT being the Church! It was never supposed to be that way. The kind of church God blesses is one who uses all of the talents &/or gifts of its people—makes sure they are in use for God’s kingdom purposes. That’s the commitment part of this message—sometime too often missing in the church today. But, if we want God’s blessing on what we’re doing here, it’s time to step up and give it our all! Then…
WE NEED TO BE A CHURCH WHO IS ABSOLUTELY DEVOTED TO GOD’S WORD (and I cannot stress this enough)! In verses 22-36 and 42 of Acts, Chapter 2, we hear Peter preaching one of the most famous sermons of all time:
“Fellow Israelites, listen carefully to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man thoroughly accredited by God to you—the miracles and wonders and signs that God did through him are common knowledge— 23 this Jesus, following the deliberate and well-thought-out plan of God, was betrayed by men who took the law into their own hands, and was handed over to you. And you pinned him to a cross and killed him. 24 But God untied the death ropes and raised him up. Death was no match for him. 25 David said it all: I saw God before me for all time. Nothing can shake me; he’s right by my side. 26 I’m glad from the inside out, ecstatic; I’ve pitched my tent in the land of hope. 27 I know you’ll never dump me in Hades; I’ll never even smell the stench of death. 28 You’ve got my feet on the life-path, with your face shining sun-joy all around. 29 “Dear friends, let me be completely frank with you. Our ancestor David is dead and buried—his tomb is in plain sight today. 30 But being also a prophet and knowing that God had solemnly sworn that a descendant of his would rule his kingdom, 31 seeing far ahead, he talked of the resurrection of the Messiah—’no trip to Hades, no stench of death.’ 32 This Jesus, God raised up. And every one of us here is a witness to it. 33 Then, raised to the heights at the right hand of God and receiving the promise of the Holy Spirit from the Father, he poured out the Spirit he had just received. That is what you see and hear. 34 For David himself did not ascend to heaven, but he did say, God said to my Master, “Sit at my right hand 35 Until I make your enemies a stool for resting your feet.” 36 “All Israel, then, know this: There’s no longer room for doubt—God made him Master and Messiah, this Jesus whom you killed on a cross.” … 42 They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers.
Peter would not have been able to speak to the crowd … and do what God wanted him to do on this day, if he did not know God’s word! Folks, I rarely quote myself, but let me do that today: “I’ve never seen a church grow who didn’t take the Word of God seriously!” This is a must … if we want God’s blessing to rest upon us. We should hear it, read it, meditate on it, and memorize it. But most of all, if you want your church to be one that God blesses, you need to do it—whatever it says… Pop psychology won’t give you God’s blessing; devoting yourself to God’s word will (which includes being obedient to what it says)…
My favorite illustration about ‘the Power of the Word of God’ comes from C.H. Spurgeon—one of the greatest preachers of God’s Word that’s ever lived. The following Spurgeon anecdote beautifully illustrates the supernatural power of God’s Word. It goes like this…
The renowned preacher C H Spurgeon once tested an auditorium in which he was to speak that evening. Stepping into the pulpit, he loudly proclaimed,
Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John1:29)…
Satisfied with the acoustics, he left and went his way. Unbeknownst to him, there were two men working in the rafters of that large auditorium, neither one a Christian. One of the men was pricked in his conscience by the verse Spurgeon quoted and became a believer later that day!
Such is the penetrating power of God’s eternal word! ‘Little wonder Paul insisted on the persistent “preaching of the Word” (2 Tim. 4:2). And when Peter preached the gospel message during Pentecost Sunday, he continually went back to God’s Word in sharing that gospel…
No other message—other than the gospel—has the power to change lives! (God’s Spirit has breathed life into the Word, so God’s Word can change lives, too!)
Folks, the truth is, we won’t come to know God’s Word, unless we’re devoted to God’s word. In our modern day, many people are more devoted to their morning paper … than to the word of God! ‘Nothing wrong with the paper, unless it’s God’s blessing you’re after. Sometimes our ‘devotion’ needs to be redirected…
So, how badly do we want to be a church that God blesses—a church that is vibrant and alive? If we truly want to be a church God blesses, we may have to adjust (that’s a nice word for ‘change’) our ways…
We may have to begin to take the gifts God gives us seriously. (How many here have taken a spiritual gifts survey in the past few years … or ever?)
And we may have to—some of us, for the first time in our lives—take God’s word seriously!
Please take a look at our NEXT STEPS with me, would you?
NEXT STEP #1 – When was the last time you volunteered your time, your talents, or your gifts to be used at your church? Consider one of the many opportunities that will be presented to you in the weeks ahead (i.e. bulletin, newsletter, Connections Card). Pray about what God would have you do. Then, be bold … and just do it! Your church needs YOU and your commitment to serve!!!!
NEXT STEP #2 – What is your current attitude toward the Word of God? Would you say that you’re devoted to God’s Word? Consider reading through the Bible or a portion of the Bible when Pastor Rom presents this challenge to you in the weeks ahead. (You’ve got time to pray about this NOW…)
So, how badly do we want to be a church that God blesses? A few can’t do it on our own; it’s going to take all of us to be the Church—a church that God blesses!