Unity in Community

A message from Acts 2:44,46 by Dave Rogers 18/11/07

To listen to Dave's message click here mp3

Looking at the pattern of the early church, I get excited to see how we are like it now and how we are becoming more like it. It is great to be part of a people on a journey together and seeing God move amongst us. God chose human beings like us to make up his church to represent him on earth! We are all a Work In Progress. In this passage that the early church were all together and had everything in common. UNITY IN THE CHURCH IS A BIG DEAL!!! As we hear this message recognise that SATAN hates to see the church united, and will take every opportunity to drive wedges between us if we let him.

1. All Together
The first half of the verse says: "all the believers were together". -Acts 4:32 & 1:14 ALL!! Not just the leaders and a few keenies. They shared their lives together everyday, not just Sundays and Wednesdays, which is pretty intense!! How does this fit in with our culture? But v46 ends with "they did this with a glad and sincere hearts" They enjoyed this!! It was fun!! Being together is a characteristic of the early believers. It is counter-cultural for us. But we see the same togetherness in God himself, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

2. Everything in Common
What does this mean? Luke is talking about how the believers sold their possessions for those in need, how they met together, shared meals together, shared their money and their time. They shared all they had with each other. But why? Because of Jesus. Primarily what they all had in common was Jesus. But it didn't make them 'Jesus clones'. They were all different yet had everything in common. See Romans 12:4-5. We also how Jesus told us to maintain unity in Matt 18:15-20. It is pretty clear that Jesus loves unity, in fact he even prays for it in John 17:15-23.

The Greek word agree in Matt 18 in the Greek is sumphoneo - symphony. Illustration of an Orchestra. We want to be like the orchestra performing a wonderful symphony, playing together in unity. Following the score - the Word of God and following the conductor - the Holy Spirit. So if we find there is friction with other believers, Jesus teaching in Matt 18 will need to be carried out. Remember that Satan loves to promote disunity in the church. By being united under Christ, behind our leaders we deal Satan a blow. Churches that are united are the powerhouse of communities, they are a place where Jesus reigns. See Ephesians 4:1-6, 11-16. We are to maintain the Unity of the Spirit. This is not natural affinity, or something we can do in our strength, but is only possible by the power of the Holy Spirit. Let us go on being full of the Spirit which will cause us to be a united people, a people together having everything in common. Ps 133. God blesses unity, but disunity robs us of God's blessing.

RESPONSES:
•Lord help us always to maintain our unity in the bond of peace.
•Let us fix any relationship difficulties ASAP.
•Lord, help us find what instrument we are gifted to play in your orchestra.