Is Church a misery to you?
The grace of God through Christ that we have just explored is what we are given and what we are called to search out as the Church. Ephesians 3:14-21 says, “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father..that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
Because of God’s great love and grace towards us, we ought to love one another. This is why the Bible tells us to love even our enemies, because while still God’s enemies He sent His Son to die for us. This is also why we are told to give to one another generously because God has given us His very Son, so how can we not be willing to do small things like sell any of our possessions to help a brother or sister in need? This is what makes the early Church so drastically different from our own. Many of us who go to church today view it the same way we view dental appointments, high school, or work: another task to be done; another appointment to keep; another bitter vitamin to take to make me into a better person.
Acts 2 shows us that our view stands in sharp contrast with the early church.
...It wasn’t to the early church.
And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. (Acts 2:40-47)
Church is heaven on earth for true believers because it is the out-flowing of God’s love, and we behold His grace and love together, not simply imitate it. By beholding God together, we naturally become more like Him and show others His perfect grace, but by attempting to imitate Him, we produce cheap grace to those around us. Church, let us love God and love the saints.
The grace of God through Christ that we have just explored is what we are given and what we are called to search out as the Church. Ephesians 3:14-21 says, “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father..that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
- We see that the main point of this text is for believers to join together to explore the love of Christ.
- In doing this, we (as the Church, not just individuals) become fulled with all the fullness of God.
- In order to this, we must be rooted and grounded together in one thing: love.
Because of God’s great love and grace towards us, we ought to love one another. This is why the Bible tells us to love even our enemies, because while still God’s enemies He sent His Son to die for us. This is also why we are told to give to one another generously because God has given us His very Son, so how can we not be willing to do small things like sell any of our possessions to help a brother or sister in need? This is what makes the early Church so drastically different from our own. Many of us who go to church today view it the same way we view dental appointments, high school, or work: another task to be done; another appointment to keep; another bitter vitamin to take to make me into a better person.
Acts 2 shows us that our view stands in sharp contrast with the early church.
...It wasn’t to the early church.
And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. (Acts 2:40-47)
- They received Peter’s word, which was from God, and became true believers, not counterfeits or fakes. Why would they fake this any way? They had nothing to gain politically or socially from it, but everything to lose.
- They were devoted themselves to the teachings and to the fellowship (they ate together in remembrance of Christ, prayed together, and were filled with awe). This devotion was not just in some aspects of their lives, it was the central pursuit of their lives.
- They were together, and not just for an hour on Sundays; they shared their very lives with one another.
- They had all things in common. If a brother or sister was in need, they would sell anything and everything they had to help. Why? Because their sins were forgiven! They were free from the snare of materialism! They have a far greater treasure: Christ!
- They had GLAD and GENEROUS hearts that praised God. This does not sound like the misery or drudgery we so often hear associated with the church.
Church is heaven on earth for true believers because it is the out-flowing of God’s love, and we behold His grace and love together, not simply imitate it. By beholding God together, we naturally become more like Him and show others His perfect grace, but by attempting to imitate Him, we produce cheap grace to those around us. Church, let us love God and love the saints.