Reading: Acts 4: 32-35
Verse 32: “All the believers were one in heart and mind… they shared everything they had”.
What a beautiful picture of the community of faith is painted for us here in Acts 4! The day of Pentecost had just occurred and God added to their numbers in a big way. The power of the Holy Spirit that came at this event also carried Peter and John through their time before the Sanhedrin. There is a buzz and excitement and energy about the church. There is a tangible sense of hope and promise amongst the people. And there is a tremendous feeling of community. All of this is summed up in verse 32: “All the believers were one in heart and mind… they shared everything they had”. It was all the church is supposed to be: community, harmony, love, care, generosity.
I believe this is still God’s vision for the church. When one studies Jesus’ ministry, these are the things that He was all about. He always sought to invite the stranger in, to love and care for those in need, to build a sense of community and belonging, and to do whatever He could to improve someone’s faith and life. In our day and age, at times the church is like this. We rally around our own in times of loss or hardship. We still pull together to do some wonderful things for our church family and for our wider community. Folks will even give a bit extra when they experience God’s blessings in their lives, knowing that the church still does much good in the world.
Yesterday we read these words in Psalm 134: “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony”! Yes, yes it is. As communities of faith, when we live with the love and generosity exhibited by the early church in Acts, then others will be drawn to faith. It will not be because of the generosity itself. They will be drawn to the love. Jesus said that they will know we are His followers by the way we love one another. Yes, it is good and pleasant to live together in harmony and unity and love as brothers and sisters in Christ.
What can you do this week to build the unity and harmony and love that is exists in your faith community? What generous act might God be calling you to this week?
pastorjohnb 
April 4, 2018 at 12:59 pm
GOOD QUESTION, 🙂 SINCE IM UP DOING MY WASH DOWN THE HALL EARLY , I WENT IN AND CLEAN THE BATHROOM OFF THE DINNING ROOM, NO ONE CLEANS IT AND IT LOOKED IT EVEN THOUGH I NEVER USE IT , I GO TO MY OWN APT, I CLEAN IT GOOD. I know those who use it will be glad.
THE CHURCH GROWS IN GRACE AND UNITY WHEN WORKING TOGETHER FOR CHRIST.
WHAT I LIKE ABOUT ACTS IS, IT TEACHES HOW TO FACE OPPOSITION VICTORIOUSLY.
OPPOSITION DOES NOT USUALLY STRIKE US AS DESIRABLE , BUT OPPOSITION IS THE CHRISTIAN OPPORTUNITY. THE CHRISTIAN RESPONSE TO OPPOSITION IS THE OPPOSITE OF THE RESPONSE OF A CARNAL MAN I HOPE. TIMES MY MOUTH FAILS ME AND I HAVE TO START OVER.. 🙂
🙂 LIKE YESTERDAY, I WAS CALLING BINGO, AND A 94 YEAR OLD WOMEN , WHO USES 6 BING CARDS , WANTED TO TAKE THEM HOME SO NO ONE CAN USE THEM, I TOLD HER NO THEY STAY HERE IN THIS ROOM, , SHE ACTED LIKE A 2 YEAR OLD AND I SLIPED AND TOLD HER IN FRONT OF ALL THE PLAYERS, SHE TOOK THEM HOME. ANYWAYS.
I PRAY THEY DONT ASK ME TO CALL BINGO AGAIN. ITS NOT EASY WHEN OLD WOMEN OR MEN BEHAVIOR IS OF A CHILD, WHEN THEY GROW SELFISH , I WANT TO PULL MY HAIR AND HID AWAY FROM THEM. IM SO GLAD WE HAVE JESUS CHRIST , HIS GRACE, HIS LOVE.. AS FOR PEOPLE , JUST SMALL DOUSE, AT A TIME, 🙂 AMEN 🙂