1 00:00:00,409 --> 00:00:03,710 Speaker 1: And all that believed were together and had all things 2 00:00:03,790 --> 00:00:09,330 Speaker 1: in common. Acts 2.44 Thank you, Lord, for the unity 3 00:00:09,670 --> 00:00:14,230 Speaker 1: and love displayed in Acts 2.44, where believers shared everything 4 00:00:14,270 --> 00:00:18,790 Speaker 1: they had. We come before you asking for hearts like theirs, 5 00:00:19,640 --> 00:00:25,000 Speaker 1: hearts filled with generosity and compassion. Empower us to be 6 00:00:25,180 --> 00:00:29,110 Speaker 1: pillars of support for one another. to lift each other 7 00:00:29,250 --> 00:00:33,690 Speaker 1: up in times of need, and to share our resources freely. 8 00:00:34,830 --> 00:00:39,949 Speaker 1: Teach us to serve selflessly, reflecting your love in our actions. 9 00:00:41,170 --> 00:00:46,680 Speaker 1: May we build strong, loving communities where everyone feels valued 10 00:00:47,300 --> 00:00:50,879 Speaker 1: and cared for. Guide us to live out your command 11 00:00:50,979 --> 00:00:55,420 Speaker 1: to love our neighbors as ourselves, so that through our 12 00:00:55,580 --> 00:01:01,010 Speaker 1: unity and generosity, Others may see your goodness and grace. 13 00:01:01,770 --> 00:01:05,850 Speaker 1: In Jesus' name, amen. Thank you for praying with me today. 14 00:01:06,530 --> 00:01:10,410 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Jesus Podcast. Remain here for another 15 00:01:10,510 --> 00:01:14,830 Speaker 1: dramatized story inspired by the book of Acts and the 16 00:01:14,890 --> 00:01:18,450 Speaker 1: birth of the church. If this podcast has blessed you, 17 00:01:18,910 --> 00:01:22,030 Speaker 1: make sure to follow so you never have to miss 18 00:01:22,090 --> 00:01:26,940 Speaker 1: an episode. Peter and Andrew sat across from each other 19 00:01:26,980 --> 00:01:30,210 Speaker 1: in the kitchen. The light that trickled into the quaint 20 00:01:30,290 --> 00:01:33,440 Speaker 1: home through the window was the only company for the 21 00:01:33,480 --> 00:01:37,979 Speaker 1: two brothers. They clinked their wooden cups together before taking 22 00:01:38,020 --> 00:01:40,839 Speaker 1: a sip of wine. They had been preaching all day 23 00:01:40,880 --> 00:01:46,450 Speaker 1: throughout Jerusalem as thousands of Jews believed in Jesus, receiving 24 00:01:46,590 --> 00:01:51,070 Speaker 1: salvation by His grace through their faith. And if that 25 00:01:51,130 --> 00:01:54,290 Speaker 1: wasn't enough, He was using men like Peter and Andrew 26 00:01:54,550 --> 00:01:58,630 Speaker 1: to do it. The work was exhausting, but seeing the 27 00:01:58,750 --> 00:02:03,690 Speaker 1: harvest after Pentecost was the encouragement they needed to press 28 00:02:03,790 --> 00:02:08,450 Speaker 1: forward in this great mission Jesus gave them. The disciples 29 00:02:08,490 --> 00:02:11,970 Speaker 1: had spent the morning at the temple teaching and worshiping God. 30 00:02:12,889 --> 00:02:15,790 Speaker 1: The two brothers decided to find some reprieve at the 31 00:02:15,830 --> 00:02:19,510 Speaker 1: house while the other disciples went to find food in 32 00:02:19,530 --> 00:02:24,400 Speaker 1: the markets. Andrew looked around the empty room. He took 33 00:02:24,480 --> 00:02:28,840 Speaker 1: notice of the stillness an unfamiliar sight as of late. 34 00:02:30,120 --> 00:02:34,639 Speaker 1: They brushed shoulders with the quiet life after Jesus' ascension. 35 00:02:35,400 --> 00:02:39,370 Speaker 1: But ever since Peter's sermon, the pace had resumed to 36 00:02:39,410 --> 00:02:44,830 Speaker 1: the usual crowds, masses, and gatherings. However, a welcome change 37 00:02:44,930 --> 00:02:48,940 Speaker 1: was the fact that these gatherings weren't formed by angry 38 00:02:49,020 --> 00:02:53,140 Speaker 1: Pharisees and Sadducees seeking to argue or stone the disciples. 39 00:02:53,980 --> 00:02:59,030 Speaker 1: They were assemblies formed from the genuine believers, gathering together 40 00:02:59,169 --> 00:03:03,390 Speaker 1: to experience the new way of life Jesus offered. 41 00:03:04,230 --> 00:03:05,230 Speaker 2: It's unbelievable. 42 00:03:05,590 --> 00:03:07,790 Speaker 3: For so long, it was always the 12 of us 43 00:03:07,910 --> 00:03:11,049 Speaker 3: and Jesus. I mean, sure, there were other followers, but 44 00:03:11,370 --> 00:03:14,959 Speaker 3: nothing like this. Philip keeps telling me of new gatherings 45 00:03:15,040 --> 00:03:18,139 Speaker 3: forming in houses around the city. They're filled not just 46 00:03:18,180 --> 00:03:24,360 Speaker 3: with curious crowds. No, they're gatherings. Something else. Something... Dare 47 00:03:24,440 --> 00:03:26,120 Speaker 3: I say, supernatural. 48 00:03:26,710 --> 00:03:30,190 Speaker 1: Peter knew exactly what Andrew meant, though he couldn't quite 49 00:03:30,250 --> 00:03:34,450 Speaker 1: describe it himself either. Every day, the apostles and fellow 50 00:03:34,490 --> 00:03:37,650 Speaker 1: believers joined together for worship at the temple and in 51 00:03:37,690 --> 00:03:43,280 Speaker 1: their homes. The fellowship that ensued went beyond general human kindness. 52 00:03:44,100 --> 00:03:47,020 Speaker 1: There was a selflessness that none of the apostles had 53 00:03:47,100 --> 00:03:52,860 Speaker 1: seen before. Worldly pleasures were gladly cast aside. for the 54 00:03:52,920 --> 00:03:56,960 Speaker 1: sake of making much of the name of Jesus. Just 55 00:03:57,020 --> 00:04:00,220 Speaker 1: like Jesus said, the world would come to know them 56 00:04:00,880 --> 00:04:05,040 Speaker 1: for the deep and inspiring love they had for one another. 57 00:04:07,100 --> 00:04:11,090 Speaker 2: Supernatural. That's probably the best word for it. 58 00:04:11,740 --> 00:04:15,490 Speaker 1: Peter's brevity was a sign of inner ponderings. He was 59 00:04:15,530 --> 00:04:19,390 Speaker 1: struggling to comprehend the swiftness with which this new part 60 00:04:19,410 --> 00:04:23,240 Speaker 1: of Jesus' mission was taking place. A few months ago, 61 00:04:23,420 --> 00:04:29,540 Speaker 1: life was predictable. Circuit teachings, miracles, rinse and repeat. But 62 00:04:29,660 --> 00:04:33,430 Speaker 1: ever since the Spirit made his abode within them, more 63 00:04:33,490 --> 00:04:35,909 Speaker 1: people had come to believe in Jesus in a few 64 00:04:35,950 --> 00:04:41,090 Speaker 1: days than they had in the last three years. Suddenly, 65 00:04:41,410 --> 00:04:44,529 Speaker 1: the door to the house burst open, crashing against the 66 00:04:44,610 --> 00:04:48,250 Speaker 1: earthen wall. Peter and Andrew slammed their cups on the 67 00:04:48,290 --> 00:04:51,990 Speaker 1: table and alarm. They sprung to their feet, As Matthew 68 00:04:52,089 --> 00:04:55,419 Speaker 1: swung in through the threshold, he supported himself on the 69 00:04:55,460 --> 00:04:58,900 Speaker 1: wooden bracing of the doorway, catching his breath as best 70 00:04:58,940 --> 00:04:59,260 Speaker 1: he could. 71 00:04:59,700 --> 00:05:01,680 Speaker 3: Matthew, is everything all right? 72 00:05:02,420 --> 00:05:08,380 Speaker 4: Yes, I think. I mean, I would assume so. It's just, well, 73 00:05:08,440 --> 00:05:09,640 Speaker 4: come and see for yourselves. 74 00:05:10,380 --> 00:05:13,630 Speaker 1: Matthew hurried out the door, leaving a cloud of dust 75 00:05:13,730 --> 00:05:18,029 Speaker 1: behind him. Peter and Andrew looked at each other inquisitively 76 00:05:18,810 --> 00:05:24,460 Speaker 1: and sped after Matthew. He was weaving between carts, braying donkeys, 77 00:05:24,560 --> 00:05:30,310 Speaker 1: and civilians with alarming ease. Peter and Andrew bumped clumsily through, 78 00:05:31,070 --> 00:05:35,110 Speaker 1: offering brief apologies along the way. They wondered what could 79 00:05:35,130 --> 00:05:39,989 Speaker 1: have lured Matthew into such hysterics. As they turned the corner, 80 00:05:40,830 --> 00:05:44,790 Speaker 1: they saw a sight all too familiar to them. Hundreds 81 00:05:44,850 --> 00:05:48,200 Speaker 1: of people were pushing their way toward several of the 82 00:05:48,260 --> 00:05:51,880 Speaker 1: other apostles on the far end of the courtyard. Their 83 00:05:51,920 --> 00:05:56,380 Speaker 1: robes swayed around their trampling feet. A sea of fabric 84 00:05:56,860 --> 00:06:01,460 Speaker 1: separating Peter, Andrew, and Matthew from the others. They wondered 85 00:06:01,500 --> 00:06:03,740 Speaker 1: how they were going to make their way through the crowd. 86 00:06:04,500 --> 00:06:08,060 Speaker 2: Hey, if we could cross the Sea of Galilee through storms, 87 00:06:08,600 --> 00:06:10,219 Speaker 2: we can make it through this sea. 88 00:06:19,270 --> 00:06:22,020 Speaker 5: What does it mean to belong? Does it mean everybody 89 00:06:22,060 --> 00:06:24,460 Speaker 5: thinks the same, dresses the same, and acts the same? 90 00:06:25,140 --> 00:06:28,100 Speaker 5: Or does belonging run deeper than that? Can someone be 91 00:06:28,140 --> 00:06:31,080 Speaker 5: exactly who they are, accepted for who they are, while 92 00:06:31,160 --> 00:06:35,340 Speaker 5: also being challenged to strive for something greater? Welcome to 93 00:06:35,500 --> 00:06:39,510 Speaker 5: the Jesus Podcast, gospel-inspired stories meant to awaken our imagination 94 00:06:39,690 --> 00:06:42,770 Speaker 5: and encourage us in our faith. I'm Zach from Pray.com. 95 00:06:43,150 --> 00:06:45,190 Speaker 5: We've been taking some time in the Book of Acts 96 00:06:45,230 --> 00:06:49,000 Speaker 5: to highlight the birth of the church. Today, we're diving 97 00:06:49,010 --> 00:06:53,200 Speaker 5: into a story inspired by Acts 2, 42-47, a passage 98 00:06:53,240 --> 00:06:56,400 Speaker 5: that paints a picture of the first Christian community. This 99 00:06:56,440 --> 00:06:59,220 Speaker 5: is the OG church, the prototype, the model many of 100 00:06:59,279 --> 00:07:03,560 Speaker 5: us strive for but rarely achieve. So, let's explore what 101 00:07:03,660 --> 00:07:06,680 Speaker 5: made this early church so vibrant, so powerful, and so 102 00:07:06,760 --> 00:07:10,190 Speaker 5: downright magnetic that people couldn't help but be drawn to it. 103 00:07:13,180 --> 00:07:15,440 Speaker 1: Peter leaned his shoulder on the back of the crowd. 104 00:07:16,140 --> 00:07:18,600 Speaker 1: doing his best to find the path of least resistance. 105 00:07:19,540 --> 00:07:22,560 Speaker 1: As he waded through the people, he heard snippets of 106 00:07:22,600 --> 00:07:23,700 Speaker 1: their energetic chatter. 107 00:07:24,080 --> 00:07:26,570 Speaker 4: From what I heard, it was instantaneous. 108 00:07:27,170 --> 00:07:30,050 Speaker 6: Maybe he'll do it again. I saw others run off 109 00:07:30,090 --> 00:07:30,950 Speaker 6: to get relatives. 110 00:07:31,470 --> 00:07:33,950 Speaker 1: Peter did his best to focus on the task at hand. 111 00:07:34,590 --> 00:07:37,010 Speaker 1: He could piece the story together once he and the 112 00:07:37,070 --> 00:07:40,640 Speaker 1: other two were safely through the stampede. Only a few 113 00:07:40,720 --> 00:07:44,640 Speaker 1: yards left. Unsure of what kind of scene he would 114 00:07:44,700 --> 00:07:47,750 Speaker 1: find on the other side, he pushed through the final 115 00:07:47,830 --> 00:07:52,450 Speaker 1: row of people. There he found Philip, Nathaniel, Thaddeus, and 116 00:07:52,490 --> 00:07:56,190 Speaker 1: the sons of Zebedee. Philip hunched over on one knee. 117 00:07:57,120 --> 00:08:00,180 Speaker 1: On the ground in front of him laid a weary man. 118 00:08:01,080 --> 00:08:04,060 Speaker 1: From what Peter assessed, the man hadn't been able to 119 00:08:04,180 --> 00:08:08,720 Speaker 1: use his legs in years. Philip pressed his hands against 120 00:08:08,760 --> 00:08:13,140 Speaker 1: the man's legs. With eyes closed, he mumbled a prayer. 121 00:08:13,960 --> 00:08:17,360 Speaker 1: He opened his eyes and and calmly spoke to the man. 122 00:08:17,840 --> 00:08:20,000 Speaker 7: In the name of the Lord Jesus, you have been 123 00:08:20,040 --> 00:08:23,000 Speaker 7: made well. Arise and walk. 124 00:08:23,520 --> 00:08:25,440 Speaker 1: With the help of the woman who had brought him, 125 00:08:26,320 --> 00:08:30,770 Speaker 1: the man strenuously pulled himself up to his feet. He 126 00:08:30,790 --> 00:08:33,490 Speaker 1: was afraid to put his full weight on his withering limbs. 127 00:08:34,290 --> 00:08:37,250 Speaker 1: Philip held his hand and gave it a firm squeeze. 128 00:08:37,910 --> 00:08:42,320 Speaker 7: It's okay. Trust in him who has overcome even death itself. 129 00:08:42,830 --> 00:08:45,870 Speaker 1: The man allowed himself to put more pressure on his feet. 130 00:08:46,710 --> 00:08:50,870 Speaker 1: Feeling the resistance of the ground, he released his grip 131 00:08:50,929 --> 00:08:54,570 Speaker 1: from Peter and the woman. For the first time in decades, 132 00:08:55,390 --> 00:09:00,250 Speaker 1: the man held himself up by his own strength. Tears 133 00:09:00,320 --> 00:09:03,339 Speaker 1: began to pour from his eyes. He choked out what 134 00:09:03,400 --> 00:09:07,940 Speaker 1: could only be interpreted as squeals of gratitude. He wrapped 135 00:09:07,960 --> 00:09:11,280 Speaker 1: his arms tightly around Peter before turning to the crowds. 136 00:09:11,830 --> 00:09:15,610 Speaker 8: Surely I tell you these men must have been sent 137 00:09:15,890 --> 00:09:19,340 Speaker 8: by God, for I have not had use of my 138 00:09:19,410 --> 00:09:24,840 Speaker 8: legs for all but twenty-five years. But here I stand 139 00:09:24,960 --> 00:09:26,520 Speaker 8: on my own two feet. 140 00:09:27,140 --> 00:09:31,760 Speaker 1: The crowds cheered in a glorious uproar. The noise echoed 141 00:09:31,820 --> 00:09:35,959 Speaker 1: up the walls of the surrounding buildings, lifting the praise 142 00:09:36,120 --> 00:09:39,660 Speaker 1: up to the throne room of heaven. Peter was stunned 143 00:09:39,990 --> 00:09:42,650 Speaker 1: at what he had just seen. He turned around just 144 00:09:42,690 --> 00:09:45,980 Speaker 1: as Matthew and Andrew pressed through the last few onlookers. 145 00:09:47,059 --> 00:09:49,719 Speaker 2: Did he just do what I think he did? 146 00:09:50,280 --> 00:09:52,740 Speaker 4: Yes, yes, that's what I was trying to tell you. 147 00:09:53,280 --> 00:09:57,150 Speaker 2: But how? I mean, how did Philip know he even could? 148 00:09:57,890 --> 00:10:00,490 Speaker 2: None of us have performed miracles since Jesus. sent us out. 149 00:10:01,050 --> 00:10:04,290 Speaker 4: It wasn't really planned. We were teaching a group of 150 00:10:04,360 --> 00:10:08,219 Speaker 4: believers when someone asked about healing. It was quite obvious 151 00:10:08,260 --> 00:10:11,199 Speaker 4: he was talking about himself, as the man was blind. 152 00:10:12,000 --> 00:10:16,460 Speaker 4: So Philip began explaining how Jesus would perform miracles. And 153 00:10:16,520 --> 00:10:19,339 Speaker 4: when he repeated the Lord's words commanding the blind to 154 00:10:19,380 --> 00:10:23,990 Speaker 4: have sight, The man was healed. I mean, Jesus always 155 00:10:24,030 --> 00:10:26,770 Speaker 4: said it was their faith that made people well. I 156 00:10:26,830 --> 00:10:28,850 Speaker 4: suppose this man just had enough faith. 157 00:10:29,490 --> 00:10:32,150 Speaker 1: Peter cast his eyes to the ground as he looked 158 00:10:32,190 --> 00:10:35,910 Speaker 1: to work out what Matthew had just said. Faith. Yes, 159 00:10:36,580 --> 00:10:41,099 Speaker 1: it was always their faith. But there was always another component. 160 00:10:42,059 --> 00:10:46,620 Speaker 1: An act Jesus would take. A word. A touch. Something 161 00:10:46,679 --> 00:10:51,059 Speaker 1: that connected him with a person being healed. Perhaps that 162 00:10:51,120 --> 00:10:55,490 Speaker 1: was the key, a connection from person to person, the 163 00:10:55,550 --> 00:10:59,750 Speaker 1: type of supernatural connection Andrew had mentioned earlier that morning. 164 00:11:00,710 --> 00:11:04,490 Speaker 1: The Spirit was empowering them to carry on all the 165 00:11:04,570 --> 00:11:10,059 Speaker 1: works of Jesus, from teaching with authority to performing signs 166 00:11:10,140 --> 00:11:14,380 Speaker 1: and wonders that proved they were ministers of the new 167 00:11:14,480 --> 00:11:16,240 Speaker 1: covenant sent by the Lord. 168 00:11:18,120 --> 00:11:18,880 Speaker 2: Do the others know? 169 00:11:19,320 --> 00:11:22,390 Speaker 4: They should by now. We sent Thomas and Simon off 170 00:11:22,410 --> 00:11:24,990 Speaker 4: to find the others and let them know. We figured 171 00:11:25,010 --> 00:11:27,950 Speaker 4: that once the word got out that we could heal, well, 172 00:11:28,570 --> 00:11:31,030 Speaker 4: we'll have to be preparing ourselves for the same droves 173 00:11:31,110 --> 00:11:33,460 Speaker 4: of sick and lame people that would come to Jesus. 174 00:11:34,220 --> 00:11:37,300 Speaker 4: We've already been taking turns healing those brought before us here. 175 00:11:37,900 --> 00:11:40,540 Speaker 4: We weren't sure what to do and didn't want to 176 00:11:40,580 --> 00:11:43,320 Speaker 4: turn anyone away. So I left to find you and 177 00:11:43,460 --> 00:11:45,250 Speaker 4: Andrew in hopes that you'd have an idea. 178 00:11:45,750 --> 00:11:49,030 Speaker 1: Peter composed himself and allowed himself a minute to think 179 00:11:49,370 --> 00:11:50,010 Speaker 1: before speaking. 180 00:11:52,520 --> 00:11:56,790 Speaker 2: If the people need healing, then we'll offer them healing. 181 00:11:57,590 --> 00:11:59,650 Speaker 2: We'll do it the same way as when Jesus sent 182 00:11:59,710 --> 00:12:02,590 Speaker 2: us out. Find the rest of the guys and bring 183 00:12:02,630 --> 00:12:06,290 Speaker 2: them here. Then have them pair off into groups of two. 184 00:12:07,250 --> 00:12:09,990 Speaker 2: We'll allow the people to form lines. One of us 185 00:12:10,030 --> 00:12:12,910 Speaker 2: can control the lines while the other performs the healing. 186 00:12:13,640 --> 00:12:16,220 Speaker 2: Once the last hour of the day hits, we'll tell 187 00:12:16,260 --> 00:12:17,760 Speaker 2: the people we'll be back here tomorrow. 188 00:12:18,320 --> 00:12:22,030 Speaker 1: Matthew nodded his head. taking mental notes of Peter's plan. 189 00:12:22,710 --> 00:12:25,250 Speaker 1: From the look on his face, he was still processing 190 00:12:25,350 --> 00:12:29,430 Speaker 1: everything from the morning. Peter put his hands on Matthew's shoulders. 191 00:12:30,090 --> 00:12:33,970 Speaker 2: But first, let's take a second to rest. I have 192 00:12:34,010 --> 00:12:36,270 Speaker 2: a feeling it will be a busy day. 193 00:12:37,110 --> 00:12:40,350 Speaker 1: For the next couple of hours, people throughout the city 194 00:12:40,710 --> 00:12:45,150 Speaker 1: carried stretchers, walked with sick loved ones, and fumbled their 195 00:12:45,210 --> 00:12:50,400 Speaker 1: way blindly toward the massive queues. The disciples healed everyone 196 00:12:50,460 --> 00:12:53,800 Speaker 1: who came to them, teaching them of the spiritual healing 197 00:12:54,140 --> 00:12:58,820 Speaker 1: that could be found in Jesus. Miracle after miracle, the 198 00:12:58,880 --> 00:13:02,900 Speaker 1: apostles kept performing signs and wonders for the sake of 199 00:13:02,940 --> 00:13:06,560 Speaker 1: the people, and their efforts were not in vain as 200 00:13:06,660 --> 00:13:11,570 Speaker 1: thousands came to a saving faith. The numbers never seemed 201 00:13:11,610 --> 00:13:15,390 Speaker 1: to dwindle down as more men and women caught wind 202 00:13:15,429 --> 00:13:19,290 Speaker 1: of the healings. Peter looked up at the skies The 203 00:13:19,370 --> 00:13:22,770 Speaker 1: sun hung low and threatened to steal away behind the 204 00:13:22,809 --> 00:13:26,750 Speaker 1: horizon any minute. The moment Peter had dreaded all day 205 00:13:27,550 --> 00:13:30,849 Speaker 1: was finally here. He knew he had to tell those 206 00:13:30,910 --> 00:13:34,650 Speaker 1: yet to be healed to go home. Even though he 207 00:13:34,710 --> 00:13:38,230 Speaker 1: knew they would be back tomorrow, he had seen how 208 00:13:38,309 --> 00:13:42,100 Speaker 1: dejected someone could get being told they needed to wait 209 00:13:42,530 --> 00:13:45,920 Speaker 1: to be healed. He gestured to the others to stop 210 00:13:45,960 --> 00:13:48,040 Speaker 1: what they were doing. He cleared his throat. 211 00:13:48,630 --> 00:13:52,120 Speaker 9: Brothers and sisters, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ 212 00:13:52,320 --> 00:13:56,559 Speaker 9: has allowed many to be healed today. By the power 213 00:13:56,600 --> 00:14:00,540 Speaker 9: of His Spirit, the lame walk, the blind see, the 214 00:14:00,620 --> 00:14:05,370 Speaker 9: deaf hear, and the sick have been made well. As 215 00:14:05,450 --> 00:14:08,410 Speaker 9: the sun sets, we must ask you to return to 216 00:14:08,450 --> 00:14:12,989 Speaker 9: your homes. But please, rest assured, we will be back 217 00:14:13,030 --> 00:14:16,860 Speaker 9: here tomorrow, though hours in the day run out. The 218 00:14:16,960 --> 00:14:19,500 Speaker 9: wellspring of life will never run dry. 219 00:14:20,000 --> 00:14:23,540 Speaker 1: Peter awkwardly wrung his hands together. That was all he 220 00:14:23,600 --> 00:14:27,500 Speaker 1: had to say. Now he had to just wait and 221 00:14:27,610 --> 00:14:31,330 Speaker 1: see how the crowd would respond. There were audible groans 222 00:14:31,790 --> 00:14:36,330 Speaker 1: and sighs, his least favorite part of the ordeal. He 223 00:14:36,370 --> 00:14:39,600 Speaker 1: turned back to the others and waved them near to him. 224 00:14:41,520 --> 00:14:43,700 Speaker 1: You all did marvelous today. 225 00:14:44,450 --> 00:14:47,390 Speaker 2: I mean it. I don't think anyone could have predicted 226 00:14:47,510 --> 00:14:51,350 Speaker 2: our day going like this. People were healed, and the 227 00:14:51,410 --> 00:14:54,750 Speaker 2: saving name of Jesus was preached. What more could you 228 00:14:54,810 --> 00:14:55,170 Speaker 2: ask for? 229 00:14:55,710 --> 00:14:59,820 Speaker 1: John gestured to someone behind Peter's back. Peter swiveled around 230 00:14:59,860 --> 00:15:02,700 Speaker 1: to find a woman hobbling up to him. She was 231 00:15:02,760 --> 00:15:06,920 Speaker 1: advanced in years, and carefully tread the gravelly ground with 232 00:15:06,960 --> 00:15:11,320 Speaker 1: a weathered walking stick. From her limp, Peter could only assume... 233 00:15:11,430 --> 00:15:13,210 Speaker 1: She hadn't made her way to the front of the 234 00:15:13,270 --> 00:15:14,430 Speaker 1: line before sunset. 235 00:15:15,190 --> 00:15:18,220 Speaker 2: Shalom, ma'am. We're glad you could be with us today. 236 00:15:18,940 --> 00:15:21,320 Speaker 2: Like I said, we'll be back tomorrow, and. 237 00:15:22,300 --> 00:15:26,360 Speaker 1: The old woman delicately raised her hand, politely pausing the 238 00:15:26,420 --> 00:15:27,360 Speaker 1: apostle mid-thought. 239 00:15:28,020 --> 00:15:28,400 Speaker 6: Shalom. 240 00:15:29,010 --> 00:15:29,930 Speaker 4: My name is Nikama. 241 00:15:31,030 --> 00:15:33,690 Speaker 6: Pardon me, but I can only assume you and your 242 00:15:33,790 --> 00:15:37,100 Speaker 6: friends here are tired... And since you've been here all 243 00:15:37,160 --> 00:15:39,980 Speaker 6: day healing, I'd venture to guess you haven't had time 244 00:15:40,060 --> 00:15:43,460 Speaker 6: to prepare a meal for this evening. If you'd like, 245 00:15:43,740 --> 00:15:45,020 Speaker 6: there are seats at my table. 246 00:15:45,660 --> 00:15:48,980 Speaker 1: Peter was bewildered at the offer. It was the last 247 00:15:49,020 --> 00:15:51,800 Speaker 1: thing he had expected to hear from anyone gathered there 248 00:15:51,980 --> 00:15:53,320 Speaker 1: that day. 249 00:15:53,340 --> 00:15:55,300 Speaker 2: So you're not here for healing? 250 00:15:56,140 --> 00:15:58,630 Speaker 6: I would be lying before you and Adonai if I 251 00:15:58,710 --> 00:16:01,870 Speaker 6: said it wouldn't be nice. But healing will come in 252 00:16:01,950 --> 00:16:06,290 Speaker 6: his time. As for dinner, that's served according to my sundial. 253 00:16:06,750 --> 00:16:08,380 Speaker 6: If we hurry, it should still be hot. 254 00:16:09,000 --> 00:16:12,520 Speaker 1: Peter turned around to take an official vote. James rubbed 255 00:16:12,560 --> 00:16:16,800 Speaker 1: his stomach and whimpered. The others laughed and nodded in agreement. 256 00:16:17,380 --> 00:16:21,020 Speaker 1: The twelve followed Nakama down a few narrow streets into 257 00:16:21,070 --> 00:16:24,050 Speaker 1: a secluded part of the city. Lamps were being lit 258 00:16:24,070 --> 00:16:28,690 Speaker 1: throughout the houses, appearing sporadically like glowing stars in the 259 00:16:28,730 --> 00:16:32,130 Speaker 1: night sky. Nakama pushed the door of her house open. 260 00:16:32,690 --> 00:16:35,330 Speaker 1: at the end of the walking step. It was bigger 261 00:16:35,370 --> 00:16:39,750 Speaker 1: than the apostles had anticipated, an elderly woman owning on 262 00:16:39,790 --> 00:16:42,470 Speaker 1: her own. Philip remarked before entering in. 263 00:16:42,960 --> 00:16:45,920 Speaker 7: What a lovely home you have. We can't thank you 264 00:16:45,960 --> 00:16:47,300 Speaker 7: enough for your hospitality. 265 00:16:47,960 --> 00:16:51,440 Speaker 6: You're quite welcome, but I must admit this house doesn't 266 00:16:51,480 --> 00:16:52,140 Speaker 6: belong to me. 267 00:16:52,830 --> 00:16:57,130 Speaker 1: Nakama smiled at the puzzled look on Peter's face. She 268 00:16:57,210 --> 00:17:01,410 Speaker 1: gingerly directed him and the others through the door. Worried 269 00:17:01,470 --> 00:17:05,149 Speaker 1: he was stepping into an unexpected stranger's home, he and 270 00:17:05,170 --> 00:17:09,020 Speaker 1: the disciples made their way inside. They stepped into a 271 00:17:09,080 --> 00:17:13,880 Speaker 1: warm living room lined with rugs and furs. A fire 272 00:17:14,040 --> 00:17:16,760 Speaker 1: crackled in the hearth set in the back of the kitchen, 273 00:17:17,440 --> 00:17:20,790 Speaker 1: where the smell of fresh raisin cakes and lentil soup 274 00:17:21,369 --> 00:17:24,170 Speaker 1: billowed into the rest of the house. They were startled 275 00:17:24,210 --> 00:17:27,050 Speaker 1: to find that they weren't the only guests in the house. 276 00:17:28,070 --> 00:17:32,310 Speaker 1: All around the room lay beds, cots, cushions, and chairs 277 00:17:33,230 --> 00:17:38,520 Speaker 1: with elderly and sick men, women, and children. They came 278 00:17:38,600 --> 00:17:42,580 Speaker 1: from all corners of the world, hoping to start new 279 00:17:42,640 --> 00:17:46,119 Speaker 1: lives in Jerusalem before being stricken with the pains of 280 00:17:46,180 --> 00:17:50,619 Speaker 1: a broken creation. But each one shared another thing in common. 281 00:17:51,380 --> 00:17:54,730 Speaker 1: They had found the love of Jesus and now shared 282 00:17:54,770 --> 00:17:59,860 Speaker 1: it with one another. Here, at Nakama's home. They jovially 283 00:17:59,980 --> 00:18:04,510 Speaker 1: greeted their hostess upon her return. She hobbled up behind Peter. 284 00:18:05,440 --> 00:18:09,090 Speaker 2: Did I hear you tell Philip this doesn't belong to you? 285 00:18:09,830 --> 00:18:13,250 Speaker 6: Well, perhaps I should be more clear. The deed is 286 00:18:13,310 --> 00:18:15,810 Speaker 6: in my name, but the house belongs to the Lord. 287 00:18:16,450 --> 00:18:18,230 Speaker 6: He uses it as he sees fit. 288 00:18:18,950 --> 00:18:22,409 Speaker 2: But how do you support everyone here? The physical demands 289 00:18:22,470 --> 00:18:26,210 Speaker 2: must be excruciating, not to mention the financial toll. 290 00:18:26,900 --> 00:18:30,090 Speaker 6: Believe me, I don't do it alone. Many of the 291 00:18:30,140 --> 00:18:33,970 Speaker 6: other believers in the city help out. When money runs dry, 292 00:18:34,130 --> 00:18:37,970 Speaker 6: everyone pitches in. Some even sell their possessions to make 293 00:18:38,070 --> 00:18:41,040 Speaker 6: ends meet for the needier ones in our community. And 294 00:18:41,080 --> 00:18:43,480 Speaker 6: my son stops by every day to help out around 295 00:18:43,500 --> 00:18:48,240 Speaker 6: the house. The rest, well, God gives me supernatural strength 296 00:18:48,340 --> 00:18:48,760 Speaker 6: to do it. 297 00:18:49,520 --> 00:18:54,389 Speaker 1: There was that word again. Supernatural. The Holy Spirit was 298 00:18:54,470 --> 00:18:58,310 Speaker 1: already moving profoundly through the believers in the city, not 299 00:18:58,350 --> 00:19:01,550 Speaker 1: just in gatherings for the sake of company, but to 300 00:19:01,630 --> 00:19:07,560 Speaker 1: demonstrate the selfless and sacrificial love of Jesus Christ. Peter 301 00:19:07,580 --> 00:19:11,680 Speaker 1: was deeply moved by Nakama. He and the other disciples 302 00:19:11,720 --> 00:19:15,340 Speaker 1: had spent the afternoon healing hundreds, yet he felt like 303 00:19:15,420 --> 00:19:20,140 Speaker 1: their gesture of help paled in comparison to Nakama's pureness 304 00:19:20,180 --> 00:19:22,679 Speaker 1: of heart and unmatched generosity. 305 00:19:24,410 --> 00:19:25,630 Speaker 2: How did all of this start? 306 00:19:26,010 --> 00:19:29,050 Speaker 1: Peter asked the question, but he already knew the answer. 307 00:19:29,570 --> 00:19:32,560 Speaker 6: Out of necessity, I suppose. I took in a family 308 00:19:32,600 --> 00:19:35,460 Speaker 6: in need, and that family turned into two, then three, 309 00:19:35,740 --> 00:19:38,380 Speaker 6: then four. After five, I stopped counting. 310 00:19:39,000 --> 00:19:44,010 Speaker 1: Nakama confirmed his suspicions. Peter was quickly learning that great 311 00:19:44,130 --> 00:19:48,430 Speaker 1: moves of the Spirit are birthed from small acts of faith. 312 00:19:49,250 --> 00:19:52,619 Speaker 1: Good things to time, and those who have experienced the 313 00:19:52,660 --> 00:19:55,880 Speaker 1: love of Jesus will always find the time to do 314 00:19:56,290 --> 00:19:59,850 Speaker 1: good things, not out of pressure, but out of the 315 00:19:59,970 --> 00:20:04,870 Speaker 1: fruit the Spirit bears in Christ's followers. Peter's heart was 316 00:20:04,930 --> 00:20:09,530 Speaker 1: being softened, finding himself stirred up to show this kind 317 00:20:09,570 --> 00:20:09,950 Speaker 1: of love. 318 00:20:10,410 --> 00:20:13,840 Speaker 2: This is all so unbelievable. 319 00:20:14,900 --> 00:20:18,420 Speaker 6: Believe it, and it's not just us. There are houses 320 00:20:18,619 --> 00:20:20,919 Speaker 6: all over the city doing the same kind of things. 321 00:20:21,660 --> 00:20:25,689 Speaker 6: You want unbelievable? Some of us even have non-believers who 322 00:20:25,730 --> 00:20:28,570 Speaker 6: come looking for help. We take them in, of course, 323 00:20:28,710 --> 00:20:30,990 Speaker 6: but we know it's only a matter of time before 324 00:20:31,030 --> 00:20:32,250 Speaker 6: the Lord wins them over. 325 00:20:32,890 --> 00:20:36,379 Speaker 1: Nakama winked at Peter and invited the disciples to find 326 00:20:36,460 --> 00:20:39,310 Speaker 1: seats around the room. She shuffled off to the kitchen 327 00:20:39,890 --> 00:20:43,510 Speaker 1: and returned with bowls of soup and plates of steaming cakes. 328 00:20:44,450 --> 00:20:47,610 Speaker 1: For the next few hours, she waited on the believers 329 00:20:47,670 --> 00:20:52,550 Speaker 1: in her house, always wearing a smile. Andrew and Thaddeus 330 00:20:52,590 --> 00:20:55,840 Speaker 1: had found instruments and offered to lead the people in 331 00:20:55,880 --> 00:21:00,320 Speaker 1: hymns and psalms as the fire died down. Peter watched 332 00:21:00,359 --> 00:21:06,350 Speaker 1: the room with careful consideration. The scene was beautiful. Men 333 00:21:06,490 --> 00:21:12,439 Speaker 1: and women of all backgrounds united together as one, the 334 00:21:12,500 --> 00:21:18,070 Speaker 1: love of Christ infiltrating every part of their lives. This 335 00:21:18,140 --> 00:21:23,649 Speaker 1: wasn't a mere home. This was heaven on earth. This 336 00:21:24,550 --> 00:21:26,530 Speaker 1: was genuine fellowship. 337 00:21:31,850 --> 00:21:34,840 Speaker 5: Imagine this, one day you have a nice little congregation 338 00:21:34,880 --> 00:21:37,960 Speaker 5: of about 120 people. Everyone knows each other by name, 339 00:21:38,000 --> 00:21:40,260 Speaker 5: there's plenty of parking, and you can always find a 340 00:21:40,300 --> 00:21:43,300 Speaker 5: seat in the back row if you're late. And then, boom, 341 00:21:43,640 --> 00:21:46,100 Speaker 5: the Holy Spirit shows up on Pentecost and suddenly you're 342 00:21:46,119 --> 00:21:50,510 Speaker 5: looking at 3,120 people. Friends, that's like inviting a few 343 00:21:50,570 --> 00:21:53,050 Speaker 5: folks over to a backyard barbecue and then the entire 344 00:21:53,190 --> 00:21:57,190 Speaker 5: neighborhood shows up. What's remarkable here is not just the numbers, 345 00:21:57,250 --> 00:22:00,439 Speaker 5: but the transformation that took place. People who were in 346 00:22:00,480 --> 00:22:02,680 Speaker 5: town for the Feast of Pentecost went back home with 347 00:22:02,740 --> 00:22:05,270 Speaker 5: more than just souvenirs. They carried with them the good 348 00:22:05,330 --> 00:22:07,930 Speaker 5: news of Jesus Christ. And just like that, the church 349 00:22:07,970 --> 00:22:10,430 Speaker 5: became a movement. So, how did this group of first 350 00:22:10,470 --> 00:22:13,870 Speaker 5: believers manage this explosive growth? Was it a killer marketing 351 00:22:13,890 --> 00:22:17,110 Speaker 5: strategy and social media presence? Did they promise free coffee 352 00:22:17,150 --> 00:22:17,650 Speaker 5: and donuts? 353 00:22:18,050 --> 00:22:18,290 Speaker 9: Nope. 354 00:22:18,760 --> 00:22:22,000 Speaker 5: This was something much more profound and yet simple at 355 00:22:22,020 --> 00:22:25,730 Speaker 5: the same time. Acts 2.42 tells us that they continued 356 00:22:25,810 --> 00:22:29,070 Speaker 5: steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship in the breaking 357 00:22:29,109 --> 00:22:32,040 Speaker 5: of bread and in prayers. This, my friend, is the 358 00:22:32,060 --> 00:22:35,959 Speaker 5: secret sauce. No fancy programs or flashy worship bands, but 359 00:22:35,980 --> 00:22:42,000 Speaker 5: these four basic yet powerful elements. Teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, 360 00:22:42,359 --> 00:22:45,570 Speaker 5: and prayer. So, let's talk to these one by one. First, 361 00:22:45,830 --> 00:22:48,869 Speaker 5: it's the Apostles' Doctrine. The early church devoted themselves to 362 00:22:48,910 --> 00:22:52,050 Speaker 5: the Apostles' Doctrine. They didn't sit around discussing the weather 363 00:22:52,090 --> 00:22:54,880 Speaker 5: or debating how to set up chairs in the upper room. No, 364 00:22:54,910 --> 00:22:57,820 Speaker 5: they were hungry for the Word of God. They couldn't 365 00:22:57,840 --> 00:23:00,860 Speaker 5: get enough of hearing about Jesus, who he was, what 366 00:23:00,900 --> 00:23:03,600 Speaker 5: he taught, what he did, and how it all tied 367 00:23:03,660 --> 00:23:07,439 Speaker 5: in together with the grand narrative of Scripture. Today, we 368 00:23:07,460 --> 00:23:10,830 Speaker 5: have the privilege of that same doctrine in the New Testament. So, 369 00:23:10,980 --> 00:23:13,360 Speaker 5: let's keep it simple. If it's good enough for them, 370 00:23:13,430 --> 00:23:15,660 Speaker 5: it's good enough for us. Let's stick to the Word 371 00:23:15,680 --> 00:23:18,040 Speaker 5: of God. When we're trying to build up a church 372 00:23:18,080 --> 00:23:20,000 Speaker 5: and when we're trying to figure out what's going to 373 00:23:20,020 --> 00:23:23,840 Speaker 5: be transformative for people, we must first ground ourselves, anchor 374 00:23:23,880 --> 00:23:26,820 Speaker 5: ourselves really in the Word of God. But not just 375 00:23:26,859 --> 00:23:30,450 Speaker 5: teaching the Bible broadly, but how does it pertain to Jesus? 376 00:23:30,869 --> 00:23:33,489 Speaker 5: Because that's what the apostles taught. They taught about how 377 00:23:33,530 --> 00:23:36,929 Speaker 5: the entirety of Scripture was this grand, beautiful narrative that 378 00:23:37,070 --> 00:23:41,940 Speaker 5: ultimately pointed to the cross, ultimately pointed to Jesus. So, yeah, 379 00:23:42,000 --> 00:23:44,790 Speaker 5: we can talk about how these insights from the Bible 380 00:23:44,850 --> 00:23:47,650 Speaker 5: help us to live everyday lives. We can talk about relationships. 381 00:23:47,710 --> 00:23:50,389 Speaker 5: We can talk about these cool things. But really, if 382 00:23:50,410 --> 00:23:53,169 Speaker 5: we're not anchoring ourselves in the person of Jesus and 383 00:23:53,210 --> 00:23:56,409 Speaker 5: how the word points to Jesus, we're really missing the 384 00:23:56,450 --> 00:23:59,250 Speaker 5: point here. The second thing that the early church devoted 385 00:23:59,290 --> 00:24:03,220 Speaker 5: themselves to was fellowship. The Greeks called it koinonia. This 386 00:24:03,300 --> 00:24:06,560 Speaker 5: isn't just a post-church potluck, though I'm not knocking those. 387 00:24:06,619 --> 00:24:09,639 Speaker 5: Keep the casseroles coming. This is about life together, sharing 388 00:24:09,660 --> 00:24:12,760 Speaker 5: the joys and struggles, victories and defeats. It's like a 389 00:24:12,780 --> 00:24:15,659 Speaker 5: spiritual potluck where everyone brings their whole selves to the 390 00:24:15,700 --> 00:24:19,109 Speaker 5: table and not just a dish. They were bound together 391 00:24:19,150 --> 00:24:22,210 Speaker 5: by their shared experience of the risen Christ, and they 392 00:24:22,250 --> 00:24:25,790 Speaker 5: truly lived like it. They shared their resources, they shared 393 00:24:25,830 --> 00:24:29,209 Speaker 5: their lives with one another, they endured persecution together, they 394 00:24:29,230 --> 00:24:32,610 Speaker 5: built families together. The modern church can trap us into 395 00:24:32,690 --> 00:24:34,909 Speaker 5: thinking that we're all on the same page and that 396 00:24:34,950 --> 00:24:38,250 Speaker 5: we all have koinonia when we actually don't. Many times, 397 00:24:38,450 --> 00:24:41,710 Speaker 5: church is more just like a glorified movie theater. We go, 398 00:24:41,790 --> 00:24:44,369 Speaker 5: we all sit down, and we are pointing ourselves in 399 00:24:44,390 --> 00:24:46,629 Speaker 5: the same direction, looking at a stage or looking at 400 00:24:46,670 --> 00:24:49,149 Speaker 5: a screen, and we all listen to the same music, 401 00:24:49,190 --> 00:24:51,190 Speaker 5: and we hear the same preacher, and then we all 402 00:24:51,250 --> 00:24:54,649 Speaker 5: turn around and go the same direction out the door. Now, 403 00:24:54,670 --> 00:24:57,580 Speaker 5: I'm not knocking a Sunday morning service, but we have 404 00:24:57,600 --> 00:25:00,000 Speaker 5: to understand that the power of the early church was 405 00:25:00,180 --> 00:25:02,679 Speaker 5: more than just preaching. It was more than just worship. 406 00:25:03,100 --> 00:25:05,760 Speaker 5: It was this genuine fellowship where people weren't just pointing 407 00:25:05,800 --> 00:25:08,189 Speaker 5: all in the same direction. but they were pointing at 408 00:25:08,230 --> 00:25:12,430 Speaker 5: each other. They were face-to-face, breaking bread and understanding each 409 00:25:12,490 --> 00:25:16,530 Speaker 5: other's struggles. And koinonia takes work. It takes a genuine 410 00:25:16,869 --> 00:25:20,050 Speaker 5: labor of love. My wife and I, when we came 411 00:25:20,109 --> 00:25:23,010 Speaker 5: to a new city, we were stricken by how little 412 00:25:23,210 --> 00:25:26,730 Speaker 5: genuine koinonia fellowship there was. We felt a little lonely, 413 00:25:26,770 --> 00:25:28,609 Speaker 5: to be honest with you. We had just become new 414 00:25:28,670 --> 00:25:31,609 Speaker 5: parents and it was confusing and it was an isolating time. 415 00:25:32,210 --> 00:25:34,950 Speaker 5: Throw in COVID and the pandemic and all of that 416 00:25:35,030 --> 00:25:38,410 Speaker 5: and it's a recipe for disaster. Well, what we found 417 00:25:38,670 --> 00:25:42,800 Speaker 5: is that koinonia requires this effort. We could wait around 418 00:25:42,859 --> 00:25:44,900 Speaker 5: and wait for someone to invite us to things, or 419 00:25:45,000 --> 00:25:47,419 Speaker 5: we can start picking up people who we see as 420 00:25:47,480 --> 00:25:51,280 Speaker 5: being lonely and invite them into our lives, share our table, 421 00:25:51,520 --> 00:25:56,290 Speaker 5: share our experience, share our struggles, and perhaps, slowly but surely, 422 00:25:56,490 --> 00:25:59,910 Speaker 5: we start to have some sort of semblance of koinonia fellowship. 423 00:26:00,510 --> 00:26:03,369 Speaker 5: I can confidently say years later that that labor of 424 00:26:03,510 --> 00:26:07,300 Speaker 5: love was absolutely worth it. We get to experience koinonia 425 00:26:07,320 --> 00:26:09,820 Speaker 5: as the early church experienced it, where we don't just 426 00:26:09,940 --> 00:26:12,620 Speaker 5: share prayers and hymns and songs, but we share life. 427 00:26:13,190 --> 00:26:15,410 Speaker 5: We raise our kids together. We do all of these 428 00:26:15,450 --> 00:26:18,830 Speaker 5: things together with joy and fulfillment. The third element that 429 00:26:18,869 --> 00:26:21,209 Speaker 5: we see, and perhaps one of my favorite, is the 430 00:26:21,230 --> 00:26:23,750 Speaker 5: breaking of bread. Now, the breaking of bread serves two 431 00:26:23,810 --> 00:26:27,340 Speaker 5: purposes here. One, there's beauty in sharing a meal together. 432 00:26:27,780 --> 00:26:29,520 Speaker 5: Those that we share a meal with and we share 433 00:26:29,540 --> 00:26:33,450 Speaker 5: our tables with, we are accepting into our lives. Never 434 00:26:33,530 --> 00:26:36,830 Speaker 5: underestimate the power of inviting somebody over for dinner. Never 435 00:26:36,890 --> 00:26:39,449 Speaker 5: underestimate the power of sharing a cup of coffee or 436 00:26:39,490 --> 00:26:43,110 Speaker 5: a good meal with somebody. But it wasn't just about 437 00:26:43,190 --> 00:26:45,740 Speaker 5: eating meals together, though that was certainly a part of it. 438 00:26:46,190 --> 00:26:50,040 Speaker 5: It was remembering Jesus' sacrifice through communion. Even then, so 439 00:26:50,100 --> 00:26:53,220 Speaker 5: close to Jesus' death and resurrection, they were committed to 440 00:26:53,359 --> 00:26:55,800 Speaker 5: never forgetting what he had done for them. They broke 441 00:26:55,859 --> 00:26:58,480 Speaker 5: the bread and passed it remembering the body that was broken. 442 00:26:58,660 --> 00:27:01,699 Speaker 5: They passed the cup that represented the blood that was 443 00:27:01,740 --> 00:27:04,540 Speaker 5: spilled for them. And even more than 2,000 years later, 444 00:27:04,619 --> 00:27:08,660 Speaker 5: we ought to embody these same qualities, never neglecting communion 445 00:27:08,720 --> 00:27:11,840 Speaker 5: when we gather together. The last pillar that we see 446 00:27:11,960 --> 00:27:17,130 Speaker 5: of an effective early church was prayer. Not just prayer meetings, 447 00:27:17,250 --> 00:27:20,850 Speaker 5: but the prayers, suggesting both formal times of prayer and 448 00:27:20,869 --> 00:27:24,270 Speaker 5: an ongoing daily rhythm of calling out to God. They 449 00:27:24,290 --> 00:27:26,930 Speaker 5: understood that without prayer, all their efforts would be in vain. 450 00:27:27,470 --> 00:27:29,090 Speaker 5: And I mean, think about it. If the early church 451 00:27:29,150 --> 00:27:31,060 Speaker 5: needed to pray this much, how much more do we, 452 00:27:31,530 --> 00:27:35,290 Speaker 5: In this distracted, fast-paced world, we need to stay grounded 453 00:27:35,470 --> 00:27:37,790 Speaker 5: in prayer. We need to stay grounded in the character 454 00:27:37,830 --> 00:27:40,909 Speaker 5: of God. And because the early church was rooted in 455 00:27:40,950 --> 00:27:44,470 Speaker 5: these four pillars, God showed up in powerful ways. Acts 456 00:27:44,470 --> 00:27:47,470 Speaker 5: 2.43 tells us that fear came upon every soul and 457 00:27:47,530 --> 00:27:50,310 Speaker 5: many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. There 458 00:27:50,330 --> 00:27:52,930 Speaker 5: was a tangible sense of God's presence and power among them. 459 00:27:53,430 --> 00:27:56,430 Speaker 5: And what did that lead to? Well, it led to generosity. 460 00:27:57,010 --> 00:27:59,630 Speaker 5: These new believers didn't just nod politely to each other 461 00:27:59,690 --> 00:28:01,730 Speaker 5: on Sundays and call it a day. No, they shared 462 00:28:01,750 --> 00:28:04,409 Speaker 5: their lives and their possessions with each other too. They 463 00:28:04,430 --> 00:28:07,189 Speaker 5: held everything in common. Now, before you panic, I'm not 464 00:28:07,210 --> 00:28:10,810 Speaker 5: suggesting that we start a commune. This wasn't some forced 465 00:28:10,850 --> 00:28:14,609 Speaker 5: experimental socialism. It was an overflow of love. They cared 466 00:28:14,710 --> 00:28:16,710 Speaker 5: more about each other than they did their own stuff. 467 00:28:17,109 --> 00:28:17,490 Speaker 9: Radical? 468 00:28:17,730 --> 00:28:20,910 Speaker 5: Absolutely. But it was also incredibly attractive to the world 469 00:28:21,109 --> 00:28:25,429 Speaker 5: around them. Acts 2, 46-47 tells us that they worshipped 470 00:28:25,470 --> 00:28:27,930 Speaker 5: together in the temple, and broke bread in each other's 471 00:28:27,990 --> 00:28:31,520 Speaker 5: homes with glad and sincere hearts. They praised God and 472 00:28:31,560 --> 00:28:33,959 Speaker 5: enjoyed the favor of all people. And you know what 473 00:28:34,000 --> 00:28:37,280 Speaker 5: happened next? The Lord added to their number daily those 474 00:28:37,320 --> 00:28:40,739 Speaker 5: who were being saved. This wasn't about a slick evangelism 475 00:28:40,780 --> 00:28:44,420 Speaker 5: strategy or five-step church growth plan. It was about living 476 00:28:44,480 --> 00:28:47,020 Speaker 5: out the gospel in such a compelling way that others 477 00:28:47,040 --> 00:28:49,780 Speaker 5: couldn't help but want in. Their love for God and 478 00:28:49,840 --> 00:28:51,480 Speaker 5: each other was their greatest witness. 479 00:28:52,260 --> 00:28:52,840 Speaker 2: So what about us? 480 00:28:53,300 --> 00:28:56,400 Speaker 5: Do we as a church embody this kind of community, koinonia? 481 00:28:57,100 --> 00:28:59,560 Speaker 5: Are we devoted to the word, committed to each other, 482 00:28:59,640 --> 00:29:02,780 Speaker 5: remembering the cross and rooted in prayer? Because if we are, 483 00:29:02,800 --> 00:29:05,660 Speaker 5: I believe God will do amazing things among us. Not 484 00:29:05,720 --> 00:29:09,500 Speaker 5: necessarily adding 3,000 people in one day, although, hey, why not? 485 00:29:10,000 --> 00:29:12,640 Speaker 5: But transforming us into a community that looks a whole 486 00:29:12,680 --> 00:29:16,000 Speaker 5: lot like Jesus. Let's be a church where together isn't 487 00:29:16,040 --> 00:29:18,360 Speaker 5: just a word we throw around, but a reality we 488 00:29:18,400 --> 00:29:21,700 Speaker 5: live out every day. Let's break bread. Let's pray, share, 489 00:29:22,160 --> 00:29:23,940 Speaker 5: and see what God does as a result.