Acts 2:42-47 A...
Illustration
Object:
Acts 2:42-47
A farmer named Bert traveled from his home in rural Maine to faraway Boston. There he heard a lecture on socialism.
To Bert, socialism sounded like a pretty good thing: everyone sharing with each other and helping each other out. He went back home and announced to his friend and neighbor, Harry, that he had become a socialist.
"So, tell me what this socialism thing is, Bert," said Harry. Bert explained that it was all about sharing with each other and helping each other out.
"Let me see if I understand this. Are you saying that, if you had two farms, you'd give me one?"
"Sure," said Bert.
"If you had two pickup trucks, would you give me one?"
"Sure."
"If you had two hogs, would you give me one?"
Bert suddenly got red in the face and began looking at his shoes. "That's pretty low, Harry," he said. "You know I've got two hogs!"
Acts 2:42-47
A faith community that could no longer afford its building decided to make the jump, sell the building and land, and become a house church. They experienced a bit of this Acts passage as they gathered at one another's homes to break bread and celebrate communion. They also wanted to make a visible statement to others about what they were doing. They decided to have yellow T-shirts printed up. On the front they said, "Don't go to church." On the backside, the T-shirts read, "BE the church."
Acts 2:42-47
At a church meeting, someone asked why the church no longer held social events. The group began reminiscing about church picnics in the park and ice cream socials in fellowship hall. These events were well attended, someone said. Aunt Bertha said she remembered how much people looked forward to the annual church picnic each summer. And the picnic would last all day and no one would ever leave early.
Dawn told the group that she was willing to plan a game night at the church. A date was set, an article written for the newsletter. Dawn began talking to people before and after worship, inviting them to attend the game night.
Everyone was surprised when over twenty people attended the game night. People brought their favorite games. It was obvious to everyone that Dawn was enjoying herself as she played Trivial Pursuit with several others. At times, her laughter rose above all the conversation in the room.
Upon further reflection, someone mentioned that Dawn lived alone and seldom left her apartment. She had very little contact with people other than on Sunday morning. She would spend time on the telephone and internet but that was not the same as face-to-face interaction. Dawn seemed to appreciate this social event more than anyone else. She was one of the last to leave.
At the beginning of the church, believers gathered daily, "Day by day, as they spent much time together ... they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people." The believers needed the daily support and encouragement from the church. Are we missing out because we claim we are too busy to attend church socials?
Acts 2:42-47
Vitamins are essential for our health. Vitamin A is important for good eyesight, for seeing in color, and for healthy skin. Vitamin B is important in metabolic activity; it helps our body make and use proteins. Vitamin C plays an important part in the healing process and helps our body fight off infections. Vitamin D is important for strong bones and teeth.
If one eats a healthy and varied diet, we will ingest the required vitamins with our food. But because we in North America tend to have rather poor dietary habits, we need vitamin supplements. This has spurred a host of daily vitamin products claiming that if we take their vitamins each day, we will be healthier and live longer.
The early Christians also had a daily regimen. They gathered daily in the temple, broke bread daily in their homes, partook of food with glad hearts daily, and praised God. It is little wonder that they won the favor of all people.
1 Peter 2:19-25
Benjamin Weir was a missionary in Lebanon for 31 years. On May 8, 1984, he was abducted and held for sixteen months. He was always blindfolded in the presence of his Muslim captors and was almost always in solitary confinement. He wrote about how, in his tiny room chained to a steam radiator, he looked around and made each stark piece of material into a symbol.
The room's French door had 120 shutters. He designated each of those 120 shutters with names of those before him who'd been witnesses to Christ. Through crises and suffering they'd seen and trusted God's faithfulness. Consequently, he had a crowd of faithful examples always with him.
Above all, Weir meditated upon the faithful example of Jesus Christ; and, even after such a horrible ordeal, Weir didn't bear ill will toward his captors. How else could one do that unless Jesus Christ was his supreme example?
1 Peter 2:19-25
Do you walk in Jesus' path? We encourage one another to love as Jesus loved and forgive as he forgave, but there's one place where Jesus walked that we have trouble picking up his tracks. It's not that it's difficult to trace his footprints. There's ample evidence to know that he walked there. The New Testament offers proof he was there. For some reason, though, most of us close our eyes and minds to the fact that Jesus walked the trail he did.
Here's what I mean. Jesus suffered even though he was innocent. This text is one of many that calls us to follow his footsteps to the same place: "If you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God's approval. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps." Do you gladly endure persecution for Christ? Have you followed his route of suffering?
1 Peter 2:19-25
Sheep can be very stubborn, disobedient, and self-willed. I remember one time when I was visiting a farm near the church where I served. I grew up on a farm and knew that all animals could be stubborn and would test the fences to see if they would let them through. But sheep take the prize.
There, in the yard where I visited, was a sheep. There were sheep on both sides of the fence separating the small group of sheep. The one had decided that the other side of the fence was the only place to be.
The sheep kept throwing itself against the fence, again and again.
I had had experience with many animals on the farm, but none that would have not quit testing. Again and again it tested the fence -- never giving up. It must have been half an hour later when I left, it was still trying, still testing, and the fence was getting loose. It continued to throw itself against the fence.
The other sheep were grazing contentedly, but not this one. Little by little, the fence came loose, and the persistent critter was able to make its way through the fence after nearly two hours of testing and pushing.
Some people are like that, always testing, always thinking the better things are on the other side of the fence. "All we like sheep have gone astray, we have all turned to our own way, and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all" (Isaiah 53:6).
John 10:1-10
"For God's sake! Won't someone help me?" the voice cries. "I'm dying!"
The voice belongs to a woman named Kitty Genovese. The place is a New York City street, many years ago. Kitty Genovese is being murdered and, as this is taking place, literally dozens of her neighbors watch from their windows and fire escapes. In this notorious case of urban neglect, not one of the witnesses calls the police.
The story of Kitty Genovese is a modern urban tragedy. Decades later, her story is still being told, the archetypal tale of loneliness and neglect in the big city. Yet, in a certain sense, Kitty's neighbors are just as alone as she. So terrified are they by the risks of living in the city, that they fail to recognize that a community is gathered around them, all up and down the fire escapes and that community possesses the power to save the young woman. A single phone call would have done it. No, Kitty Genovese's neighbors are not alone -- but they are convinced that they are.
John 10:1-10
A New Zealander explains what happens to sheep without a shepherd: They will find food for themselves, however, it won't necessarily be the best pasture. More importantly, they are unprotected from wild animals and also thieves, and are in danger of becoming "cast." Without a shepherd, after a year, a sheep becomes "full fleece" and they are top heavy. That can cause them to fall over and be "cast." In this condition, they cannot get up by themselves and are in danger of being eaten alive. Their internal organs shift, and even if you stood them back up, they can die if they do not have adequate support. In time, they will fall over again. Yes, sheep without a shepherd are in a very dangerous predicament indeed.
(adapted from Hiawathaland, the newspaper of the Diocese of Northern Michigan, date unknown)
John 10:1-10
When Crystal began attending church people thought she was a wonderful Christian. People in the congregation immediately were attracted to her young children. Cute comments made by her children during the children's message made people chuckle. One day she asked the pastor if she could come and wash all the toys in the nursery. With her youngest in the nursery, she felt that the toys should be washed. Crystal spent all morning washing toys; she even took home all the blankets to wash. Before long, she was given other responsibilities around the church.
That's when the trouble began. She managed to alienate everyone she worked with. Her attitude was demanding. The pastor tried to tell her that church volunteers need to be treated differently than people in the workplace. That message did not get through. People began complaining to the pastor about her. Several stated that they refused to do anything with her. It soon became apparent that something had to be done. Action needed to be taken.
Eventually, Crystal and her family left the church. As conflict reared its ugly head, Crystal inflicted much damage in the life of the church. Those who thought she was nice were upset at how she was being treated; some of them also left the church. It was a difficult time.
Jesus is the good shepherd who loves and cares for all his sheep. The sheep listen for the calming voice of the shepherd. Jesus warns that some may come claiming to be a shepherd but in time their intentions show through. "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy." In contrast, Jesus says he "came that they may have life, and have it abundantly."
John 10:1-10
Home burglaries happen every day. And although it is true that if a thief wants in your house badly enough there really isn't much you can do to keep them out, there are some things we can do to deter would-be thieves. Police will tell you that thieves target houses they can get in and out of in just a few minutes. Installing deadbolts, hinge pins, and removing glass from around doorways will slow down burglars. Keeping hedges away from the house and cut short if they are close to the house takes away potential hiding places. Patio doors should be installed with locks and bars. Security glass, which is much harder to break, is a good idea when replacing windows. Lights make it hard for robbers to break in unseen, and window coverings don't allow crooks the opportunity to assess your goods from the outside.
Robbers weren't unknown in Jesus' day. But Jesus came in through the front door proving he wasn't a thief but the shepherd.
A farmer named Bert traveled from his home in rural Maine to faraway Boston. There he heard a lecture on socialism.
To Bert, socialism sounded like a pretty good thing: everyone sharing with each other and helping each other out. He went back home and announced to his friend and neighbor, Harry, that he had become a socialist.
"So, tell me what this socialism thing is, Bert," said Harry. Bert explained that it was all about sharing with each other and helping each other out.
"Let me see if I understand this. Are you saying that, if you had two farms, you'd give me one?"
"Sure," said Bert.
"If you had two pickup trucks, would you give me one?"
"Sure."
"If you had two hogs, would you give me one?"
Bert suddenly got red in the face and began looking at his shoes. "That's pretty low, Harry," he said. "You know I've got two hogs!"
Acts 2:42-47
A faith community that could no longer afford its building decided to make the jump, sell the building and land, and become a house church. They experienced a bit of this Acts passage as they gathered at one another's homes to break bread and celebrate communion. They also wanted to make a visible statement to others about what they were doing. They decided to have yellow T-shirts printed up. On the front they said, "Don't go to church." On the backside, the T-shirts read, "BE the church."
Acts 2:42-47
At a church meeting, someone asked why the church no longer held social events. The group began reminiscing about church picnics in the park and ice cream socials in fellowship hall. These events were well attended, someone said. Aunt Bertha said she remembered how much people looked forward to the annual church picnic each summer. And the picnic would last all day and no one would ever leave early.
Dawn told the group that she was willing to plan a game night at the church. A date was set, an article written for the newsletter. Dawn began talking to people before and after worship, inviting them to attend the game night.
Everyone was surprised when over twenty people attended the game night. People brought their favorite games. It was obvious to everyone that Dawn was enjoying herself as she played Trivial Pursuit with several others. At times, her laughter rose above all the conversation in the room.
Upon further reflection, someone mentioned that Dawn lived alone and seldom left her apartment. She had very little contact with people other than on Sunday morning. She would spend time on the telephone and internet but that was not the same as face-to-face interaction. Dawn seemed to appreciate this social event more than anyone else. She was one of the last to leave.
At the beginning of the church, believers gathered daily, "Day by day, as they spent much time together ... they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people." The believers needed the daily support and encouragement from the church. Are we missing out because we claim we are too busy to attend church socials?
Acts 2:42-47
Vitamins are essential for our health. Vitamin A is important for good eyesight, for seeing in color, and for healthy skin. Vitamin B is important in metabolic activity; it helps our body make and use proteins. Vitamin C plays an important part in the healing process and helps our body fight off infections. Vitamin D is important for strong bones and teeth.
If one eats a healthy and varied diet, we will ingest the required vitamins with our food. But because we in North America tend to have rather poor dietary habits, we need vitamin supplements. This has spurred a host of daily vitamin products claiming that if we take their vitamins each day, we will be healthier and live longer.
The early Christians also had a daily regimen. They gathered daily in the temple, broke bread daily in their homes, partook of food with glad hearts daily, and praised God. It is little wonder that they won the favor of all people.
1 Peter 2:19-25
Benjamin Weir was a missionary in Lebanon for 31 years. On May 8, 1984, he was abducted and held for sixteen months. He was always blindfolded in the presence of his Muslim captors and was almost always in solitary confinement. He wrote about how, in his tiny room chained to a steam radiator, he looked around and made each stark piece of material into a symbol.
The room's French door had 120 shutters. He designated each of those 120 shutters with names of those before him who'd been witnesses to Christ. Through crises and suffering they'd seen and trusted God's faithfulness. Consequently, he had a crowd of faithful examples always with him.
Above all, Weir meditated upon the faithful example of Jesus Christ; and, even after such a horrible ordeal, Weir didn't bear ill will toward his captors. How else could one do that unless Jesus Christ was his supreme example?
1 Peter 2:19-25
Do you walk in Jesus' path? We encourage one another to love as Jesus loved and forgive as he forgave, but there's one place where Jesus walked that we have trouble picking up his tracks. It's not that it's difficult to trace his footprints. There's ample evidence to know that he walked there. The New Testament offers proof he was there. For some reason, though, most of us close our eyes and minds to the fact that Jesus walked the trail he did.
Here's what I mean. Jesus suffered even though he was innocent. This text is one of many that calls us to follow his footsteps to the same place: "If you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God's approval. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps." Do you gladly endure persecution for Christ? Have you followed his route of suffering?
1 Peter 2:19-25
Sheep can be very stubborn, disobedient, and self-willed. I remember one time when I was visiting a farm near the church where I served. I grew up on a farm and knew that all animals could be stubborn and would test the fences to see if they would let them through. But sheep take the prize.
There, in the yard where I visited, was a sheep. There were sheep on both sides of the fence separating the small group of sheep. The one had decided that the other side of the fence was the only place to be.
The sheep kept throwing itself against the fence, again and again.
I had had experience with many animals on the farm, but none that would have not quit testing. Again and again it tested the fence -- never giving up. It must have been half an hour later when I left, it was still trying, still testing, and the fence was getting loose. It continued to throw itself against the fence.
The other sheep were grazing contentedly, but not this one. Little by little, the fence came loose, and the persistent critter was able to make its way through the fence after nearly two hours of testing and pushing.
Some people are like that, always testing, always thinking the better things are on the other side of the fence. "All we like sheep have gone astray, we have all turned to our own way, and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all" (Isaiah 53:6).
John 10:1-10
"For God's sake! Won't someone help me?" the voice cries. "I'm dying!"
The voice belongs to a woman named Kitty Genovese. The place is a New York City street, many years ago. Kitty Genovese is being murdered and, as this is taking place, literally dozens of her neighbors watch from their windows and fire escapes. In this notorious case of urban neglect, not one of the witnesses calls the police.
The story of Kitty Genovese is a modern urban tragedy. Decades later, her story is still being told, the archetypal tale of loneliness and neglect in the big city. Yet, in a certain sense, Kitty's neighbors are just as alone as she. So terrified are they by the risks of living in the city, that they fail to recognize that a community is gathered around them, all up and down the fire escapes and that community possesses the power to save the young woman. A single phone call would have done it. No, Kitty Genovese's neighbors are not alone -- but they are convinced that they are.
John 10:1-10
A New Zealander explains what happens to sheep without a shepherd: They will find food for themselves, however, it won't necessarily be the best pasture. More importantly, they are unprotected from wild animals and also thieves, and are in danger of becoming "cast." Without a shepherd, after a year, a sheep becomes "full fleece" and they are top heavy. That can cause them to fall over and be "cast." In this condition, they cannot get up by themselves and are in danger of being eaten alive. Their internal organs shift, and even if you stood them back up, they can die if they do not have adequate support. In time, they will fall over again. Yes, sheep without a shepherd are in a very dangerous predicament indeed.
(adapted from Hiawathaland, the newspaper of the Diocese of Northern Michigan, date unknown)
John 10:1-10
When Crystal began attending church people thought she was a wonderful Christian. People in the congregation immediately were attracted to her young children. Cute comments made by her children during the children's message made people chuckle. One day she asked the pastor if she could come and wash all the toys in the nursery. With her youngest in the nursery, she felt that the toys should be washed. Crystal spent all morning washing toys; she even took home all the blankets to wash. Before long, she was given other responsibilities around the church.
That's when the trouble began. She managed to alienate everyone she worked with. Her attitude was demanding. The pastor tried to tell her that church volunteers need to be treated differently than people in the workplace. That message did not get through. People began complaining to the pastor about her. Several stated that they refused to do anything with her. It soon became apparent that something had to be done. Action needed to be taken.
Eventually, Crystal and her family left the church. As conflict reared its ugly head, Crystal inflicted much damage in the life of the church. Those who thought she was nice were upset at how she was being treated; some of them also left the church. It was a difficult time.
Jesus is the good shepherd who loves and cares for all his sheep. The sheep listen for the calming voice of the shepherd. Jesus warns that some may come claiming to be a shepherd but in time their intentions show through. "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy." In contrast, Jesus says he "came that they may have life, and have it abundantly."
John 10:1-10
Home burglaries happen every day. And although it is true that if a thief wants in your house badly enough there really isn't much you can do to keep them out, there are some things we can do to deter would-be thieves. Police will tell you that thieves target houses they can get in and out of in just a few minutes. Installing deadbolts, hinge pins, and removing glass from around doorways will slow down burglars. Keeping hedges away from the house and cut short if they are close to the house takes away potential hiding places. Patio doors should be installed with locks and bars. Security glass, which is much harder to break, is a good idea when replacing windows. Lights make it hard for robbers to break in unseen, and window coverings don't allow crooks the opportunity to assess your goods from the outside.
Robbers weren't unknown in Jesus' day. But Jesus came in through the front door proving he wasn't a thief but the shepherd.
