| Good morning everyone, Our theme for this month: “Christian community” Our Bible verse for today: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.” Acts 2:42 (CSB) Our thought for today: “Church done right” Without question, the local church is the most important and personal expression of Christian community. That is the place where we encounter the largest number of our brothers and sisters on a regular basis, and it’s where we will be open before the Lord with them in worship, study, fellowship, and service. Membership and full participation in a local church is a crucial element for maintaining a healthy and vibrant practice of your faith. I love the picture of the early church that God provides for us through Luke in Acts 2:42-47. Let’s read the rest of the passage beginning in verse 44, “Now all the believers were together and held all things in common. They sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as any had need. Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with joyful and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. Every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.” I love it – brothers and sisters in Christ joyfully worshiping, learning, praying, and lifting each other up. As they fellowship with one another and discuss life, they discover who is struggling and enduring trials, and they find ways to help each other. That’s what a good church is supposed to be like, and it’s the kind of church that people will want to be in. What kind of church is yours? Some churches have a closed and unfriendly feel, as if outsiders aren’t really all that welcome. Other churches are filled with strife and bickering – there’s tension in the air and everyone can feel it. In some churches there’s a false sense of comradery that is forced and doesn’t feel genuine. That happens when people view it as their Christian duty to smile and to be nice but it isn’t sincere, and you can tell. A church like the one described in Acts 2:42-47 is a gift of the Holy Spirit at work among the members, and it results when people truly and sincerely love the Lord and each other. It is a church life that is desired by the people, intentionally cultivated, and then protected. It is church done right, but it can be lost if it isn’t cherished and protected by all. What kind of church is yours? Is it church done right? God bless, Pastor Jim (Join us at Oak Hill Baptist Church every Sunday at 10:00. Join us in-person if you are near-by or, if you are geographically distant or a shut-in, join us online at www.YouTube.com/oakhillbaptistcrossville) |
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