1 00:00:00,350 --> 00:00:03,680 Speaker 1: And all that believed were together and had all things 2 00:00:03,760 --> 00:00:09,280 Speaker 1: in common. Acts 2.44 Thank you, Lord, for the unity 3 00:00:09,640 --> 00:00:14,200 Speaker 1: and love displayed in Acts 2.44, where believers shared everything 4 00:00:14,220 --> 00:00:18,760 Speaker 1: they had. We come before you asking for hearts like theirs, 5 00:00:19,579 --> 00:00:24,959 Speaker 1: hearts filled with generosity and compassion. Empower us to be 6 00:00:25,140 --> 00:00:29,080 Speaker 1: pillars of support for one another. to lift each other 7 00:00:29,200 --> 00:00:33,640 Speaker 1: up in times of need, and to share our resources freely. 8 00:00:34,800 --> 00:00:39,919 Speaker 1: Teach us to serve selflessly, reflecting your love in our actions. 9 00:00:41,120 --> 00:00:46,629 Speaker 1: May we build strong, loving communities where everyone feels valued 10 00:00:47,250 --> 00:00:50,849 Speaker 1: and cared for. Guide us to live out your command 11 00:00:50,930 --> 00:00:55,390 Speaker 1: to love our neighbors as ourselves, so that through our 12 00:00:55,530 --> 00:01:00,980 Speaker 1: unity and generosity, Others may see your goodness and grace. 13 00:01:01,740 --> 00:01:05,819 Speaker 1: In Jesus' name, amen. Thank you for praying with me today. 14 00:01:06,500 --> 00:01:10,380 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Jesus Podcast. Remain here for another 15 00:01:10,459 --> 00:01:14,800 Speaker 1: dramatized story inspired by the book of Acts and the 16 00:01:14,860 --> 00:01:18,420 Speaker 1: birth of the church. If this podcast has blessed you, 17 00:01:18,880 --> 00:01:22,000 Speaker 1: make sure to follow so you never have to miss 18 00:01:22,060 --> 00:01:26,910 Speaker 1: an episode. Peter and Andrew sat across from each other 19 00:01:26,950 --> 00:01:30,180 Speaker 1: in the kitchen. The light that trickled into the quaint 20 00:01:30,240 --> 00:01:33,380 Speaker 1: home through the window was the only company for the 21 00:01:33,420 --> 00:01:37,940 Speaker 1: two brothers. They clinked their wooden cups together before taking 22 00:01:37,980 --> 00:01:40,780 Speaker 1: a sip of wine. They had been preaching all day 23 00:01:40,840 --> 00:01:46,410 Speaker 1: throughout Jerusalem as thousands of Jews believed in Jesus, receiving 24 00:01:46,550 --> 00:01:51,010 Speaker 1: salvation by His grace through their faith. And if that 25 00:01:51,070 --> 00:01:54,250 Speaker 1: wasn't enough, He was using men like Peter and Andrew 26 00:01:54,510 --> 00:01:58,590 Speaker 1: to do it. The work was exhausting. But seeing the 27 00:01:58,710 --> 00:02:03,640 Speaker 1: harvest after Pentecost was the encouragement they needed to press 28 00:02:03,750 --> 00:02:08,400 Speaker 1: forward in this great mission Jesus gave them. The disciples 29 00:02:08,460 --> 00:02:11,919 Speaker 1: had spent the morning at the temple teaching and worshiping God. 30 00:02:12,860 --> 00:02:15,760 Speaker 1: The two brothers decided to find some reprieve at the 31 00:02:15,780 --> 00:02:19,460 Speaker 1: house while the other disciples went to find food in 32 00:02:19,480 --> 00:02:24,350 Speaker 1: the markets. Andrew looked around the empty room. He took 33 00:02:24,430 --> 00:02:28,800 Speaker 1: notice of the stillness. an unfamiliar sight as of late. 34 00:02:30,080 --> 00:02:34,590 Speaker 1: They brushed shoulders with the quiet life after Jesus' ascension. 35 00:02:35,370 --> 00:02:39,320 Speaker 1: But ever since Peter's sermon, the pace had resumed to 36 00:02:39,340 --> 00:02:44,790 Speaker 1: the usual crowds, masses, and gatherings. However, a welcome change 37 00:02:44,889 --> 00:02:48,890 Speaker 1: was the fact that these gatherings weren't formed by angry 38 00:02:48,970 --> 00:02:53,090 Speaker 1: Pharisees and Sadducees seeking to argue or stone the disciples. 39 00:02:53,930 --> 00:02:58,970 Speaker 1: They were assemblies formed from the genuine believers, gathering together 40 00:02:59,130 --> 00:03:03,340 Speaker 1: to experience the new way of life Jesus offered. 41 00:03:04,180 --> 00:03:05,200 Speaker 2: It's unbelievable. 42 00:03:05,540 --> 00:03:07,760 Speaker 3: For so long, it was always the 12 of us 43 00:03:07,860 --> 00:03:11,000 Speaker 3: and Jesus. I mean, sure, there were other followers, but 44 00:03:11,320 --> 00:03:14,910 Speaker 3: nothing like this. Philip keeps telling me of new gatherings 45 00:03:15,010 --> 00:03:18,090 Speaker 3: forming in houses around the city. They're filled not just 46 00:03:18,130 --> 00:03:24,330 Speaker 3: with curious crowds. No, they're gatherings. Something else. Something... dare 47 00:03:24,410 --> 00:03:26,070 Speaker 3: I say, supernatural. 48 00:03:26,669 --> 00:03:30,160 Speaker 1: Peter knew exactly what Andrew meant, though he couldn't quite 49 00:03:30,220 --> 00:03:34,419 Speaker 1: describe it himself either. Every day, the apostles and fellow 50 00:03:34,440 --> 00:03:37,620 Speaker 1: believers joined together for worship at the temple and in 51 00:03:37,640 --> 00:03:43,220 Speaker 1: their homes. The fellowship that ensued went beyond general human kindness. 52 00:03:44,070 --> 00:03:46,990 Speaker 1: There was a selflessness that none of the apostles had 53 00:03:47,070 --> 00:03:52,810 Speaker 1: seen before. Worldly pleasures were gladly cast aside. for the 54 00:03:52,880 --> 00:03:56,930 Speaker 1: sake of making much of the name of Jesus. Just 55 00:03:56,990 --> 00:04:00,190 Speaker 1: like Jesus said, the world would come to know them 56 00:04:00,850 --> 00:04:04,990 Speaker 1: for the deep and inspiring love they had for one another. 57 00:04:07,050 --> 00:04:11,060 Speaker 2: Supernatural. That's probably the best word for it. 58 00:04:11,710 --> 00:04:15,430 Speaker 1: Peter's brevity was a sign of inner ponderings. He was 59 00:04:15,490 --> 00:04:19,330 Speaker 1: struggling to comprehend the swiftness with which this new part 60 00:04:19,370 --> 00:04:23,200 Speaker 1: of Jesus' mission was taking place. A few months ago, 61 00:04:23,380 --> 00:04:29,510 Speaker 1: life was predictable. Circuit teachings, miracles, rinse and repeat. But 62 00:04:29,630 --> 00:04:33,370 Speaker 1: ever since the Spirit made his abode within them, more 63 00:04:33,450 --> 00:04:35,859 Speaker 1: people had come to believe in Jesus in a few 64 00:04:35,890 --> 00:04:41,060 Speaker 1: days than they had in the last three years. Suddenly, 65 00:04:41,360 --> 00:04:44,500 Speaker 1: the door to the house burst open, crashing against the 66 00:04:44,560 --> 00:04:48,230 Speaker 1: earthen wall. Peter and Andrew slammed their cups on the 67 00:04:48,260 --> 00:04:51,940 Speaker 1: table and alarm. They sprung to their feet, As Matthew 68 00:04:52,040 --> 00:04:55,380 Speaker 1: swung in through the threshold, he supported himself on the 69 00:04:55,400 --> 00:04:58,870 Speaker 1: wooden bracing of the doorway, catching his breath as best 70 00:04:58,890 --> 00:04:59,210 Speaker 1: he could. 71 00:04:59,650 --> 00:05:01,650 Speaker 3: Matthew, is everything all right? 72 00:05:02,390 --> 00:05:08,350 Speaker 4: Yes, I think. I mean, I would assume so. It's just, well, 73 00:05:08,410 --> 00:05:09,610 Speaker 4: come and see for yourselves. 74 00:05:10,330 --> 00:05:13,590 Speaker 1: Matthew hurried out the door, leaving a cloud of dust 75 00:05:13,670 --> 00:05:18,000 Speaker 1: behind him. Peter and Andrew looked at each other inquisitively 76 00:05:18,779 --> 00:05:24,410 Speaker 1: and sped after Matthew. He was weaving between carts, braying donkeys, 77 00:05:24,529 --> 00:05:30,250 Speaker 1: and civilians with alarming ease. Peter and Andrew bumped clumsily through, 78 00:05:31,040 --> 00:05:35,060 Speaker 1: offering brief apologies along the way. They wondered what could 79 00:05:35,080 --> 00:05:39,960 Speaker 1: have lured Matthew into such hysterics. As they turned the corner, 80 00:05:40,800 --> 00:05:44,770 Speaker 1: they saw a sight all too familiar to them. Hundreds 81 00:05:44,810 --> 00:05:48,170 Speaker 1: of people were pushing their way toward several of the 82 00:05:48,230 --> 00:05:51,840 Speaker 1: other apostles on the far end of the courtyards. Their 83 00:05:51,880 --> 00:05:54,260 Speaker 1: robes swayed around their trampling feet. 84 00:05:55,180 --> 00:05:55,860 Speaker 2: A sea of. 85 00:05:55,920 --> 00:06:01,060 Speaker 1: Fabric separating Peter, Andrew, and Matthew from the others. They 86 00:06:01,120 --> 00:06:03,250 Speaker 1: wondered how they were going to make their way through 87 00:06:03,290 --> 00:06:03,690 Speaker 1: the crowd. 88 00:06:04,470 --> 00:06:08,030 Speaker 2: Hey, if we could cross the Sea of Galilee through storms, 89 00:06:08,570 --> 00:06:10,110 Speaker 2: we can make it through this sea. 90 00:06:19,210 --> 00:06:21,980 Speaker 5: What does it mean to belong? Does it mean everybody 91 00:06:22,020 --> 00:06:24,410 Speaker 5: thinks the same, dresses the same, and acts the same? 92 00:06:25,110 --> 00:06:28,050 Speaker 5: Or does belonging run deeper than that? Can someone be 93 00:06:28,110 --> 00:06:31,050 Speaker 5: exactly who they are, accepted for who they are, while 94 00:06:31,130 --> 00:06:35,299 Speaker 5: also being challenged to strive for something greater? Welcome to 95 00:06:35,450 --> 00:06:39,460 Speaker 5: the Jesus Podcast, gospel-inspired stories meant to awaken our imagination 96 00:06:39,660 --> 00:06:42,740 Speaker 5: and encourage us in our faith. I'm Zach from Pray.com. 97 00:06:43,120 --> 00:06:45,140 Speaker 5: We've been taking some time in the Book of Acts 98 00:06:45,180 --> 00:06:48,940 Speaker 5: to highlight the birth of the church. Today, we're diving 99 00:06:48,980 --> 00:06:53,159 Speaker 5: into a story inspired by Acts 2, 42-47, a passage 100 00:06:53,200 --> 00:06:56,360 Speaker 5: that paints a picture of the first Christian community. This 101 00:06:56,400 --> 00:06:59,190 Speaker 5: is the OG church, the prototype, the model many of 102 00:06:59,230 --> 00:07:03,530 Speaker 5: us strive for, but rarely achieve. So, let's explore what 103 00:07:03,630 --> 00:07:06,630 Speaker 5: made this early church so vibrant, so powerful, and so 104 00:07:06,730 --> 00:07:10,160 Speaker 5: downright magnetic that people couldn't help but be drawn to it. 105 00:07:13,150 --> 00:07:15,390 Speaker 1: Peter leaned his shoulder on the back of the crowd. 106 00:07:16,080 --> 00:07:18,570 Speaker 1: doing his best to find the path of least resistance. 107 00:07:19,510 --> 00:07:22,510 Speaker 1: As he waded through the people, he heard snippets of 108 00:07:22,550 --> 00:07:23,670 Speaker 1: their energetic chatter. 109 00:07:24,030 --> 00:07:26,530 Speaker 4: From what I heard, it was instantaneous. 110 00:07:27,130 --> 00:07:30,000 Speaker 6: Maybe he'll do it again. I saw others run off 111 00:07:30,040 --> 00:07:30,920 Speaker 6: to get relatives. 112 00:07:31,440 --> 00:07:33,920 Speaker 1: Peter did his best to focus on the task at hand. 113 00:07:34,540 --> 00:07:36,960 Speaker 1: He could piece the story together once he and the 114 00:07:37,040 --> 00:07:40,600 Speaker 1: other two were safely through the stampede. Only a few 115 00:07:40,660 --> 00:07:44,590 Speaker 1: yards left. Unsure of what kind of scene he would 116 00:07:44,670 --> 00:07:47,720 Speaker 1: find on the other side, he pushed through the final 117 00:07:47,780 --> 00:07:52,420 Speaker 1: row of people. There he found Philip, Nathaniel, Thaddeus, and 118 00:07:52,460 --> 00:07:56,140 Speaker 1: the sons of Zebedee. Philip hunched over on one knee. 119 00:07:57,060 --> 00:08:00,140 Speaker 1: On the ground in front of him laid a weary man. 120 00:08:01,040 --> 00:08:04,000 Speaker 1: From what Peter assessed, the man hadn't been able to 121 00:08:04,120 --> 00:08:08,670 Speaker 1: use his legs in years. Philip pressed his hands against 122 00:08:08,730 --> 00:08:13,110 Speaker 1: the man's legs. With eyes closed, he mumbled a prayer. 123 00:08:13,930 --> 00:08:17,320 Speaker 1: He opened his eyes and and calmly spoke to the man. 124 00:08:17,800 --> 00:08:19,940 Speaker 2: In the name of the Lord Jesus, you have been 125 00:08:19,980 --> 00:08:22,940 Speaker 2: made well. Arise and walk. 126 00:08:23,460 --> 00:08:25,390 Speaker 1: With the help of the woman who had brought him, 127 00:08:26,290 --> 00:08:30,730 Speaker 1: the man strenuously pulled himself up to his feet. He 128 00:08:30,750 --> 00:08:33,450 Speaker 1: was afraid to put his full weight on his withering limbs. 129 00:08:34,250 --> 00:08:37,189 Speaker 1: Philip held his hand and gave it a firm squeeze. 130 00:08:37,850 --> 00:08:42,270 Speaker 2: It's okay. Trust in him who has overcome even death itself. 131 00:08:42,770 --> 00:08:45,840 Speaker 1: The man allowed himself to put more pressure on his feet. 132 00:08:46,679 --> 00:08:50,840 Speaker 1: Feeling the resistance of the ground, he released his grip 133 00:08:50,900 --> 00:08:54,540 Speaker 1: from Peter and the woman. For the first time in decades, 134 00:08:55,360 --> 00:09:00,230 Speaker 1: the man held himself up by his own strength. Tears 135 00:09:00,290 --> 00:09:03,290 Speaker 1: began to pour from his eyes. He choked out what 136 00:09:03,350 --> 00:09:07,890 Speaker 1: could only be interpreted as squeals of gratitude. He wrapped 137 00:09:07,929 --> 00:09:11,240 Speaker 1: his arms tightly around Peter before turning to the crowds. 138 00:09:11,800 --> 00:09:15,580 Speaker 7: Surely I tell you these men must have been sent 139 00:09:15,860 --> 00:09:19,300 Speaker 7: by God, for I have not had use of my 140 00:09:19,380 --> 00:09:24,810 Speaker 7: legs for all but twenty-five years. But here I stand 141 00:09:24,929 --> 00:09:26,470 Speaker 7: on my own two feet. 142 00:09:27,110 --> 00:09:31,710 Speaker 1: The crowds cheered in a glorious uproar. The noise echoed 143 00:09:31,790 --> 00:09:35,929 Speaker 1: up the walls of the surrounding buildings, lifting the praise 144 00:09:36,090 --> 00:09:39,650 Speaker 1: up to the throne room of heaven. Peter was stunned 145 00:09:39,950 --> 00:09:42,599 Speaker 1: at what he had just seen. He turned around just 146 00:09:42,660 --> 00:09:45,939 Speaker 1: as Matthew and Andrew pressed through the last few onlookers. 147 00:09:47,000 --> 00:09:49,689 Speaker 2: Did he just do what I think he did? 148 00:09:50,250 --> 00:09:52,709 Speaker 4: Yes, yes, that's what I was trying to tell you. 149 00:09:53,230 --> 00:09:57,110 Speaker 2: But how? I mean, how did Philip know he even could? 150 00:09:57,830 --> 00:10:00,460 Speaker 2: None of us have performed miracles since Jesus. sent us out. 151 00:10:01,000 --> 00:10:04,260 Speaker 4: It wasn't really planned. We were teaching a group of 152 00:10:04,320 --> 00:10:08,179 Speaker 4: believers when someone asked about healing. It was quite obvious 153 00:10:08,200 --> 00:10:11,160 Speaker 4: he was talking about himself, as the man was blind. 154 00:10:11,960 --> 00:10:16,430 Speaker 4: So Philip began explaining how Jesus would perform miracles. And 155 00:10:16,470 --> 00:10:19,290 Speaker 4: when he repeated the Lord's words commanding the blind to 156 00:10:19,330 --> 00:10:23,939 Speaker 4: have sight, the man was healed. I mean, Jesus always 157 00:10:23,980 --> 00:10:26,719 Speaker 4: said it was their faith that made people well. I 158 00:10:26,800 --> 00:10:28,820 Speaker 4: suppose this man just had enough faith. 159 00:10:29,460 --> 00:10:32,120 Speaker 1: Peter cast his eyes to the ground as he looked 160 00:10:32,160 --> 00:10:34,260 Speaker 1: to work out what Matthew had just said. 161 00:10:34,860 --> 00:10:35,120 Speaker 2: Faith. 162 00:10:35,620 --> 00:10:39,809 Speaker 1: Yes, it was always their faith. But there was always 163 00:10:40,030 --> 00:10:45,470 Speaker 1: another component. An act Jesus would take. A word. A touch. 164 00:10:46,170 --> 00:10:50,670 Speaker 1: something that connected him with a person being healed. Perhaps 165 00:10:50,760 --> 00:10:54,820 Speaker 1: that was the key, a connection from person to person, 166 00:10:55,360 --> 00:10:59,700 Speaker 1: the type of supernatural connection Andrew had mentioned earlier that morning. 167 00:11:00,660 --> 00:11:04,440 Speaker 1: The Spirit was empowering them to carry on all the 168 00:11:04,540 --> 00:11:10,010 Speaker 1: works of Jesus, from teaching with authority to performing signs 169 00:11:10,110 --> 00:11:14,330 Speaker 1: and wonders that proved They were ministers of the new 170 00:11:14,429 --> 00:11:16,189 Speaker 1: covenant sent by the Lord. 171 00:11:18,070 --> 00:11:18,830 Speaker 2: Do the others know? 172 00:11:19,250 --> 00:11:22,340 Speaker 4: They should by now. We sent Thomas and Simon off 173 00:11:22,380 --> 00:11:24,939 Speaker 4: to find the others and let them know. We figured 174 00:11:24,980 --> 00:11:27,900 Speaker 4: that once the word got out that we could heal, well, 175 00:11:28,520 --> 00:11:31,000 Speaker 4: we'll have to be preparing ourselves for the same droves 176 00:11:31,059 --> 00:11:33,400 Speaker 4: of sick and lame people that would come to Jesus. 177 00:11:34,179 --> 00:11:37,240 Speaker 4: We've already been taking turns healing those brought before us here. 178 00:11:37,860 --> 00:11:40,480 Speaker 4: We weren't sure what to do and didn't want to 179 00:11:40,540 --> 00:11:43,270 Speaker 4: turn anyone away. So I left to find you and 180 00:11:43,410 --> 00:11:45,190 Speaker 4: Andrew in hopes that you'd have an idea. 181 00:11:45,690 --> 00:11:48,950 Speaker 1: Peter composed himself and allowed himself a minute to think 182 00:11:49,290 --> 00:11:49,970 Speaker 1: before speaking. 183 00:11:52,490 --> 00:11:56,760 Speaker 2: If the people need healing, then we'll offer them healing. 184 00:11:57,559 --> 00:11:59,620 Speaker 2: We'll do it the same way as when Jesus sent 185 00:11:59,679 --> 00:12:02,560 Speaker 2: us out. Find the rest of the guys and bring 186 00:12:02,600 --> 00:12:06,240 Speaker 2: them here. Then have them pair off into groups of two. 187 00:12:07,200 --> 00:12:09,940 Speaker 2: We'll allow the people to form lines. One of us 188 00:12:10,000 --> 00:12:12,880 Speaker 2: can control the lines while the other performs the healing. 189 00:12:13,580 --> 00:12:16,160 Speaker 2: Once the last hour of the day hits, we'll tell 190 00:12:16,210 --> 00:12:17,730 Speaker 2: the people we'll be back here tomorrow. 191 00:12:18,270 --> 00:12:21,990 Speaker 1: Matthew nodded his head, taking mental notes of Peter's plan. 192 00:12:22,690 --> 00:12:25,210 Speaker 1: From the look on his face, he was still processing 193 00:12:25,330 --> 00:12:29,410 Speaker 1: everything from the morning. Peter put his hands on Matthew's shoulders. 194 00:12:30,080 --> 00:12:33,890 Speaker 2: But first, let's take a second to rest. I have 195 00:12:33,970 --> 00:12:36,230 Speaker 2: a feeling it will be a busy day. 196 00:12:37,070 --> 00:12:40,309 Speaker 1: For the next couple of hours, people throughout the city 197 00:12:40,670 --> 00:12:45,120 Speaker 1: carried stretchers, walked with sick loved ones, and fumbled their 198 00:12:45,179 --> 00:12:50,360 Speaker 1: way blindly toward the massive queues. The disciples healed everyone 199 00:12:50,420 --> 00:12:53,760 Speaker 1: who came to them, teaching them of the spiritual healing 200 00:12:54,120 --> 00:12:58,780 Speaker 1: that could be found in Jesus. Miracle after miracle, the 201 00:12:58,840 --> 00:13:02,860 Speaker 1: apostles kept performing signs and wonders, for the sake of 202 00:13:02,900 --> 00:13:06,500 Speaker 1: the people. And their efforts were not in vain, as 203 00:13:06,620 --> 00:13:11,510 Speaker 1: thousands came to a saving faith. The numbers never seemed 204 00:13:11,570 --> 00:13:15,610 Speaker 1: to dwindle down as more men and women caught wind. 205 00:13:15,370 --> 00:13:15,950 Speaker 2: Of the healings. 206 00:13:17,030 --> 00:13:20,510 Speaker 1: Peter looked up at the sky. The sun hung low 207 00:13:20,970 --> 00:13:23,960 Speaker 1: and threatened to steal away behind the horizon any minute. 208 00:13:24,770 --> 00:13:28,420 Speaker 1: The moment Peter had dreaded all day was finally here. 209 00:13:29,240 --> 00:13:31,600 Speaker 1: He knew he had to tell those yet to be healed. 210 00:13:32,300 --> 00:13:32,940 Speaker 2: To go home. 211 00:13:33,880 --> 00:13:37,520 Speaker 1: Even though he knew they would be back tomorrow, he 212 00:13:37,559 --> 00:13:41,330 Speaker 1: had seen how dejected someone could get being told they 213 00:13:41,370 --> 00:13:45,010 Speaker 1: needed to wait to be healed. He gestured to the 214 00:13:45,090 --> 00:13:48,030 Speaker 1: others to stop what they were doing. He cleared his throat. 215 00:13:48,600 --> 00:13:52,120 Speaker 8: Brothers and sisters, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ 216 00:13:52,280 --> 00:13:56,510 Speaker 8: has allowed many to be healed today. By the power 217 00:13:56,550 --> 00:14:00,510 Speaker 8: of his spirit, the lame walk, the blind see, the 218 00:14:00,570 --> 00:14:05,330 Speaker 8: deaf hear, and the sick have been made well. As 219 00:14:05,390 --> 00:14:08,380 Speaker 8: the sun sets, we must ask you to return to 220 00:14:08,400 --> 00:14:12,939 Speaker 8: your homes. But please, rest assured, we will be back 221 00:14:13,000 --> 00:14:16,840 Speaker 8: here tomorrow. Though hours in the day run out, the 222 00:14:16,920 --> 00:14:19,460 Speaker 8: wellspring of life will never run dry. 223 00:14:19,980 --> 00:14:23,550 Speaker 1: Peter awkwardly wrung his hands together. That was all he 224 00:14:23,590 --> 00:14:27,450 Speaker 1: had to say. Now he had to just wait and 225 00:14:27,550 --> 00:14:31,270 Speaker 1: see how the crowd would respond. There were audible groans 226 00:14:31,730 --> 00:14:36,270 Speaker 1: and sighs, his least favorite part of the ordeal. He 227 00:14:36,340 --> 00:14:39,540 Speaker 1: turned back to the others and waved them near to him. 228 00:14:41,460 --> 00:14:43,700 Speaker 1: You all did marvelous today. 229 00:14:44,420 --> 00:14:47,360 Speaker 2: I mean it. I don't think anyone could have predicted 230 00:14:47,480 --> 00:14:51,300 Speaker 2: our day going like this. People were healed and the 231 00:14:51,360 --> 00:14:54,710 Speaker 2: saving name of Jesus was preached. What more could you 232 00:14:54,760 --> 00:14:55,140 Speaker 2: ask for? 233 00:14:55,660 --> 00:14:59,770 Speaker 1: John gestured to someone behind Peter's back. Peter swiveled around 234 00:14:59,810 --> 00:15:02,650 Speaker 1: to find a woman hobbling up to him. She was 235 00:15:02,710 --> 00:15:06,870 Speaker 1: advanced in years, and carefully tread the gravelly ground with 236 00:15:06,910 --> 00:15:10,410 Speaker 1: a weathered walking stick. From her limp, Peter could only 237 00:15:10,480 --> 00:15:13,080 Speaker 1: assume she hadn't made her way to the front of 238 00:15:13,100 --> 00:15:14,420 Speaker 1: the line before sunset. 239 00:15:15,160 --> 00:15:18,200 Speaker 2: Shalom, ma'am. We're glad you could be with us today. 240 00:15:18,920 --> 00:15:21,220 Speaker 2: Like I said, we'll be back tomorrow, and. 241 00:15:22,250 --> 00:15:26,310 Speaker 1: The old woman delicately raised her hand, politely pausing the 242 00:15:26,370 --> 00:15:27,290 Speaker 1: apostle mid-thought. 243 00:15:27,980 --> 00:15:28,380 Speaker 7: Shalom. 244 00:15:28,960 --> 00:15:32,680 Speaker 6: My name is Nikama. Pardon me, but I can only 245 00:15:32,740 --> 00:15:36,340 Speaker 6: assume you and your friends here are tired. And since 246 00:15:36,360 --> 00:15:38,980 Speaker 6: you've been here all day healing, I'd venture to guess 247 00:15:39,040 --> 00:15:41,580 Speaker 6: you haven't had time to prepare a meal for this evening. 248 00:15:42,820 --> 00:15:44,960 Speaker 6: If you'd like, there are seats at my table. 249 00:15:45,610 --> 00:15:48,930 Speaker 1: Peter was bewildered at the offer. It was the last 250 00:15:48,990 --> 00:15:51,750 Speaker 1: thing he had expected to hear from anyone gathered there 251 00:15:51,930 --> 00:15:52,320 Speaker 1: that day. 252 00:15:52,940 --> 00:15:55,280 Speaker 2: So you're not here for healing? 253 00:15:56,120 --> 00:15:58,580 Speaker 6: I would be lying before you and Adonai if I 254 00:15:58,660 --> 00:16:01,820 Speaker 6: said it wouldn't be nice. But healing will come in 255 00:16:01,900 --> 00:16:06,270 Speaker 6: his time. As for dinner, that's served according to my sundial. 256 00:16:06,730 --> 00:16:08,350 Speaker 6: If we hurry, it should still be hot. 257 00:16:08,970 --> 00:16:12,490 Speaker 1: Peter turned around to take an official vote. James rubbed 258 00:16:12,530 --> 00:16:16,750 Speaker 1: his stomach and whimpered. The others laughed. and nodded in agreement. 259 00:16:17,330 --> 00:16:20,970 Speaker 1: The twelve followed Nakama down a few narrow streets into 260 00:16:21,030 --> 00:16:23,990 Speaker 1: a secluded part of the city. Lamps were being lit 261 00:16:24,010 --> 00:16:28,630 Speaker 1: throughout the houses, appearing sporadically like glowing stars in the 262 00:16:28,670 --> 00:16:32,150 Speaker 1: night sky. Nakama pushed the door of her house open 263 00:16:32,550 --> 00:16:35,290 Speaker 1: with the end of her walking stick. It was bigger 264 00:16:35,330 --> 00:16:39,710 Speaker 1: than the apostles had anticipated, an elderly woman owning on 265 00:16:39,750 --> 00:16:42,190 Speaker 1: her own. Philip remarked before. 266 00:16:41,950 --> 00:16:45,400 Speaker 2: Entering in, What a lovely home you have. We can't 267 00:16:45,480 --> 00:16:47,260 Speaker 2: thank you enough for your hospitality. 268 00:16:47,900 --> 00:16:51,400 Speaker 6: You're quite welcome, but I must admit this house doesn't 269 00:16:51,450 --> 00:16:52,110 Speaker 6: belong to me. 270 00:16:52,790 --> 00:16:57,090 Speaker 1: Nakama smiled at the puzzled look on Peter's face. She 271 00:16:57,150 --> 00:17:01,370 Speaker 1: gingerly directed him and the others through the door. Worried 272 00:17:01,430 --> 00:17:05,119 Speaker 1: he was stepping into an unexpected stranger's home, he and 273 00:17:05,130 --> 00:17:08,980 Speaker 1: the disciples made their way inside. They stepped into a 274 00:17:09,040 --> 00:17:13,840 Speaker 1: warm living room, lined with rugs and furs. A fire 275 00:17:14,020 --> 00:17:16,690 Speaker 1: crackled in the heart set in the back of the kitchen, 276 00:17:17,390 --> 00:17:20,740 Speaker 1: where the smell of fresh raisin cakes and lentil soup 277 00:17:21,320 --> 00:17:24,120 Speaker 1: billowed into the rest of the house. They were startled 278 00:17:24,160 --> 00:17:27,020 Speaker 1: to find that they weren't the only guests in the house. 279 00:17:28,040 --> 00:17:32,280 Speaker 1: All around the room lay beds, cots, cushions, and chairs 280 00:17:33,200 --> 00:17:38,490 Speaker 1: with elderly and sick men, women, and children. They came 281 00:17:38,570 --> 00:17:42,530 Speaker 1: from all corners of the world, hoping to start new 282 00:17:42,590 --> 00:17:46,080 Speaker 1: lives in Jerusalem, before being stricken with the pains of 283 00:17:46,140 --> 00:17:50,580 Speaker 1: a broken creation. But each one shared another thing in common. 284 00:17:51,320 --> 00:17:54,679 Speaker 1: They had found the love of Jesus and now shared 285 00:17:54,720 --> 00:17:59,850 Speaker 1: it with one another, here at Nakama's home. They jovially 286 00:17:59,950 --> 00:18:04,470 Speaker 1: greeted their hostess upon her return. She hobbled up behind Peter. 287 00:18:05,430 --> 00:18:09,050 Speaker 2: Did I hear you tell Philip this doesn't belong to you? 288 00:18:09,790 --> 00:18:13,199 Speaker 6: Well, perhaps I should be more clear. The deed is 289 00:18:13,240 --> 00:18:15,760 Speaker 6: in my name, but the house belongs to the Lord. 290 00:18:16,400 --> 00:18:18,159 Speaker 6: He uses it as He sees fit. 291 00:18:18,900 --> 00:18:22,370 Speaker 2: But how do you support everyone here? The physical demands 292 00:18:22,430 --> 00:18:26,270 Speaker 2: must be excruciating, not to mention the financial toll. 293 00:18:26,869 --> 00:18:30,050 Speaker 6: Believe me, I don't do it alone. Many of the 294 00:18:30,109 --> 00:18:33,930 Speaker 6: other believers in the city help out. When money runs dry, 295 00:18:34,090 --> 00:18:37,930 Speaker 6: everyone pitches in. Some even sell their possessions to make 296 00:18:38,030 --> 00:18:40,980 Speaker 6: ends meet for the needier ones in our community. and 297 00:18:41,020 --> 00:18:43,420 Speaker 6: my son stops by every day to help out around 298 00:18:43,440 --> 00:18:48,180 Speaker 6: the house. The rest, well, God gives me supernatural strength 299 00:18:48,280 --> 00:18:48,699 Speaker 6: to do it. 300 00:18:49,460 --> 00:18:54,359 Speaker 1: There was that word again, supernatural. The Holy Spirit was 301 00:18:54,440 --> 00:18:58,280 Speaker 1: already moving profoundly through the believers in the city, not 302 00:18:58,320 --> 00:19:01,520 Speaker 1: just in gatherings for the sake of company, but to 303 00:19:01,600 --> 00:19:07,500 Speaker 1: demonstrate the selfless and sacrificial love of Jesus Christ. Peter 304 00:19:07,540 --> 00:19:11,619 Speaker 1: was deeply moved by Nakama. He and the other disciples 305 00:19:11,680 --> 00:19:15,310 Speaker 1: had spent the afternoon healing hundreds, yet he felt like 306 00:19:15,380 --> 00:19:20,090 Speaker 1: their gesture of help paled in comparison to Nakama's pureness 307 00:19:20,150 --> 00:19:22,669 Speaker 1: of heart and unmatched generosity. 308 00:19:24,350 --> 00:19:25,590 Speaker 2: How did all of this start? 309 00:19:25,970 --> 00:19:29,010 Speaker 1: Peter asked the question, but he already knew the answer. 310 00:19:29,550 --> 00:19:32,520 Speaker 6: Out of necessity, I suppose. I took in a family 311 00:19:32,580 --> 00:19:35,440 Speaker 6: in need, and that family turned into two, then three, 312 00:19:35,700 --> 00:19:38,320 Speaker 6: then four. After five, I stopped counting. 313 00:19:38,960 --> 00:19:43,970 Speaker 1: Nakama confirmed his suspicions. Peter was quickly learning that great 314 00:19:44,070 --> 00:19:48,369 Speaker 1: moves of the Spirit are birthed from small acts of faith. 315 00:19:49,190 --> 00:19:52,460 Speaker 1: Good things take place. time, and those who have experienced 316 00:19:52,500 --> 00:19:55,540 Speaker 1: the love of Jesus will always find the time to 317 00:19:55,600 --> 00:19:59,659 Speaker 1: do good things, not out of pressure, but out of 318 00:19:59,720 --> 00:20:04,580 Speaker 1: the fruit the Spirit bears in Christ's followers. Peter's heart 319 00:20:04,660 --> 00:20:09,080 Speaker 1: was being softened, finding himself stirred up to show this 320 00:20:09,180 --> 00:20:09,920 Speaker 1: kind of love. 321 00:20:10,400 --> 00:20:13,760 Speaker 2: This is all so unbelievable. 322 00:20:14,840 --> 00:20:18,379 Speaker 6: Believe it, and it's not just us. There are houses 323 00:20:18,590 --> 00:20:20,869 Speaker 6: all over the city doing the same kind of things. 324 00:20:21,609 --> 00:20:25,629 Speaker 6: You want unbelievable? Some of us even have non-believers who 325 00:20:25,690 --> 00:20:28,510 Speaker 6: come looking for help. We take them in, of course, 326 00:20:28,650 --> 00:20:30,950 Speaker 6: but we know it's only a matter of time before 327 00:20:30,970 --> 00:20:32,190 Speaker 6: the Lord wins them over. 328 00:20:32,830 --> 00:20:36,330 Speaker 1: Nakama winked at Peter and invited the disciples to find 329 00:20:36,390 --> 00:20:39,270 Speaker 1: seats around the room. She shuffled off to the kitchen 330 00:20:39,850 --> 00:20:43,470 Speaker 1: and returned with bowls of soup and plates of steaming cakes. 331 00:20:44,390 --> 00:20:47,580 Speaker 1: For the next few hours, she waited on the believers 332 00:20:47,640 --> 00:20:52,520 Speaker 1: in her house, always wearing a smile. Andrew and Thaddeus 333 00:20:52,560 --> 00:20:55,800 Speaker 1: had found instruments and offered to lead the people in 334 00:20:55,840 --> 00:21:00,290 Speaker 1: hymns and psalms as the fire died down. Peter watched 335 00:21:00,330 --> 00:21:06,320 Speaker 1: the room with careful consideration. The scene was beautiful. Men 336 00:21:06,440 --> 00:21:12,399 Speaker 1: and women of all backgrounds united together as one, the 337 00:21:12,440 --> 00:21:18,010 Speaker 1: love of Christ infiltrating every part of their lives. This 338 00:21:18,090 --> 00:21:23,609 Speaker 1: wasn't a mere home. This was heaven on earth. This 339 00:21:24,510 --> 00:21:26,470 Speaker 1: was genuine fellowship. 340 00:21:31,820 --> 00:21:34,800 Speaker 5: Imagine this, one day you have a nice little congregation 341 00:21:34,840 --> 00:21:37,899 Speaker 5: of about 120 people. Everyone knows each other by name, 342 00:21:37,940 --> 00:21:40,230 Speaker 5: there's plenty of parking, and you can always find a 343 00:21:40,270 --> 00:21:43,270 Speaker 5: seat in the back row if you're late. And then, boom, 344 00:21:43,609 --> 00:21:46,070 Speaker 5: the Holy Spirit shows up on Pentecost and suddenly you're 345 00:21:46,090 --> 00:21:50,470 Speaker 5: looking at 3,120 people. Friends, that's like inviting a few 346 00:21:50,530 --> 00:21:53,020 Speaker 5: folks over to a backyard barbecue and then the entire 347 00:21:53,130 --> 00:21:57,160 Speaker 5: neighborhood shows up. What's remarkable here is not just the numbers, 348 00:21:57,220 --> 00:22:00,389 Speaker 5: but the transformation that took place. People who were in 349 00:22:00,430 --> 00:22:02,650 Speaker 5: town for the Feast of Pentecost went back home with 350 00:22:02,710 --> 00:22:05,210 Speaker 5: more than just souvenirs. They carried with them the good 351 00:22:05,300 --> 00:22:07,900 Speaker 5: news of Jesus Christ. And just like that, the church 352 00:22:07,940 --> 00:22:10,400 Speaker 5: became a movement. So, how did this group of first 353 00:22:10,420 --> 00:22:13,820 Speaker 5: believers manage this explosive growth? Was it a killer marketing 354 00:22:13,840 --> 00:22:17,080 Speaker 5: strategy and social media presence? Did they promise free coffee 355 00:22:17,119 --> 00:22:17,620 Speaker 5: and donuts? 356 00:22:18,020 --> 00:22:18,240 Speaker 6: Nope. 357 00:22:18,720 --> 00:22:21,940 Speaker 5: This was something much more profound and yet simple at 358 00:22:21,980 --> 00:22:25,680 Speaker 5: the same time. Acts 2.42 tells us that they continued 359 00:22:25,760 --> 00:22:29,040 Speaker 5: steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship in the breaking 360 00:22:29,080 --> 00:22:31,990 Speaker 5: of bread and in prayers. This, my friend, is the 361 00:22:32,030 --> 00:22:35,929 Speaker 5: secret sauce. No fancy programs or flashy worship bands, but 362 00:22:35,950 --> 00:22:41,970 Speaker 5: these four basic yet powerful elements. Teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, 363 00:22:42,340 --> 00:22:45,540 Speaker 5: and prayer. So, let's talk to these one by one. First, 364 00:22:45,820 --> 00:22:48,830 Speaker 5: it's the apostles' doctrine. The early church devoted themselves to 365 00:22:48,869 --> 00:22:52,010 Speaker 5: the apostles' doctrine. They didn't sit around discussing the weather 366 00:22:52,050 --> 00:22:54,830 Speaker 5: or debating how to set up chairs in the upper room. No, 367 00:22:54,869 --> 00:22:57,770 Speaker 5: they were hungry for the word of God. They couldn't 368 00:22:57,790 --> 00:23:00,810 Speaker 5: get enough of hearing about Jesus, who he was, what 369 00:23:00,850 --> 00:23:03,550 Speaker 5: he taught, what he did, and how it all tied 370 00:23:03,609 --> 00:23:07,389 Speaker 5: in together with the grand narrative of scripture. Today, we 371 00:23:07,410 --> 00:23:10,790 Speaker 5: have the privilege of that same doctrine in the New Testament. So, 372 00:23:10,930 --> 00:23:13,330 Speaker 5: let's keep it simple. If it's good enough for them, 373 00:23:13,410 --> 00:23:15,620 Speaker 5: it's good enough for us. Let's stick to the word 374 00:23:15,630 --> 00:23:18,000 Speaker 5: of God. When we're trying to build up a church 375 00:23:18,040 --> 00:23:19,940 Speaker 5: and when we're trying to figure out what's going to 376 00:23:19,980 --> 00:23:23,780 Speaker 5: be transformative for people, we must first ground ourselves, anchor 377 00:23:23,840 --> 00:23:26,780 Speaker 5: ourselves really in the Word of God. But not just 378 00:23:26,820 --> 00:23:30,400 Speaker 5: teaching the Bible broadly, but how does it pertain to Jesus? 379 00:23:30,800 --> 00:23:33,439 Speaker 5: Because that's what the apostles taught. They taught about how 380 00:23:33,480 --> 00:23:36,879 Speaker 5: the entirety of Scripture was this grand, beautiful narrative that 381 00:23:37,020 --> 00:23:41,910 Speaker 5: ultimately pointed to the cross, ultimately pointed to Jesus. So, yeah, 382 00:23:41,970 --> 00:23:44,730 Speaker 5: we can talk about how these insights from the Bible 383 00:23:44,810 --> 00:23:47,610 Speaker 5: help us to live everyday lives. We can talk about relationships. 384 00:23:47,650 --> 00:23:50,350 Speaker 5: We can talk about these cool things. But really, if 385 00:23:50,369 --> 00:23:53,109 Speaker 5: we're not anchoring ourselves in the person of Jesus and 386 00:23:53,150 --> 00:23:56,350 Speaker 5: how the word points to Jesus, we're really missing the 387 00:23:56,410 --> 00:23:59,209 Speaker 5: point here. The second thing that the early church devoted 388 00:23:59,250 --> 00:24:03,170 Speaker 5: themselves to was fellowship. The Greeks called it koinonia. This 389 00:24:03,230 --> 00:24:06,490 Speaker 5: isn't just a post-church potluck, though I'm not knocking those. 390 00:24:06,580 --> 00:24:09,590 Speaker 5: Keep the casseroles coming. This is about life together, sharing 391 00:24:09,630 --> 00:24:12,710 Speaker 5: the joys and struggles, victories and defeats. It's like a 392 00:24:12,750 --> 00:24:15,629 Speaker 5: spiritual potluck where everyone brings their whole selves to the 393 00:24:15,670 --> 00:24:19,070 Speaker 5: table and not just a dish. They were bound together 394 00:24:19,109 --> 00:24:22,150 Speaker 5: by their shared experience of the risen Christ, and they 395 00:24:22,210 --> 00:24:25,750 Speaker 5: truly lived like it. They shared their resources, they shared 396 00:24:25,800 --> 00:24:29,179 Speaker 5: their lives with one another, they endured persecution together, they 397 00:24:29,200 --> 00:24:32,580 Speaker 5: built families together. The modern church can trap us into 398 00:24:32,660 --> 00:24:34,879 Speaker 5: thinking that we're all on the same page and that 399 00:24:34,920 --> 00:24:38,210 Speaker 5: we all have koinonia when we actually don't. Many times, 400 00:24:38,390 --> 00:24:41,650 Speaker 5: church is more just like a glorified movie theater. We go, 401 00:24:41,730 --> 00:24:44,320 Speaker 5: we all sit down, and we are pointing ourselves in 402 00:24:44,359 --> 00:24:46,580 Speaker 5: the same direction, looking at a stage or looking at 403 00:24:46,619 --> 00:24:49,119 Speaker 5: a screen, and we all listen to the same music, 404 00:24:49,160 --> 00:24:51,160 Speaker 5: and we hear the same preacher, and then we all 405 00:24:51,220 --> 00:24:54,620 Speaker 5: turn around and go the same direction out the door. Now, 406 00:24:54,640 --> 00:24:57,520 Speaker 5: I'm not knocking a Sunday morning service, but we have 407 00:24:57,560 --> 00:24:59,960 Speaker 5: to understand that the power of the early church was 408 00:25:00,140 --> 00:25:02,649 Speaker 5: more than just preaching. It was more than just worship. 409 00:25:03,070 --> 00:25:05,729 Speaker 5: It was this genuine fellowship where people weren't just pointing 410 00:25:05,770 --> 00:25:08,129 Speaker 5: all in the same direction. but they were pointing at 411 00:25:08,170 --> 00:25:12,390 Speaker 5: each other. They were face-to-face, breaking bread and understanding each 412 00:25:12,450 --> 00:25:16,500 Speaker 5: other's struggles. And koinonia takes work. It takes a genuine 413 00:25:16,840 --> 00:25:20,020 Speaker 5: labor of love. My wife and I, when we came 414 00:25:20,080 --> 00:25:22,980 Speaker 5: to a new city, we were stricken by how little 415 00:25:23,180 --> 00:25:26,680 Speaker 5: genuine koinonia fellowship there was. We felt a little lonely, 416 00:25:26,740 --> 00:25:28,580 Speaker 5: to be honest with you. We had just become new 417 00:25:28,619 --> 00:25:31,580 Speaker 5: parents and it was confusing and it was an isolating time. 418 00:25:32,180 --> 00:25:34,900 Speaker 5: Throw in COVID and the pandemic and all of that 419 00:25:34,980 --> 00:25:38,360 Speaker 5: and it's a recipe for disaster. Well, what we found 420 00:25:38,619 --> 00:25:42,760 Speaker 5: is that koinonia requires this effort. We could wait around 421 00:25:42,820 --> 00:25:44,870 Speaker 5: and wait for someone to invite us to things, or 422 00:25:44,960 --> 00:25:47,369 Speaker 5: we can start picking out people who we see as 423 00:25:47,450 --> 00:25:51,250 Speaker 5: being lonely and invite them into our lives, share our table, 424 00:25:51,490 --> 00:25:56,250 Speaker 5: share our experience, share our struggles, and perhaps, slowly but surely, 425 00:25:56,450 --> 00:25:59,860 Speaker 5: we start to have some sort of semblance of koinonia fellowship. 426 00:26:00,480 --> 00:26:03,340 Speaker 5: I can confidently say years later that that labor of 427 00:26:03,460 --> 00:26:07,250 Speaker 5: love was absolutely worth it. We get to experience koinonia 428 00:26:07,290 --> 00:26:09,770 Speaker 5: as the early church experienced it, where we don't just 429 00:26:09,910 --> 00:26:12,590 Speaker 5: share prayers and hymns and songs, but we share life. 430 00:26:13,150 --> 00:26:15,370 Speaker 5: We raise our kids together. We do all of these 431 00:26:15,410 --> 00:26:18,790 Speaker 5: things together with joy and fulfillment. The third element that 432 00:26:18,810 --> 00:26:21,159 Speaker 5: we see, and perhaps one of my favorite, is the 433 00:26:21,200 --> 00:26:23,700 Speaker 5: breaking of bread. Now, the breaking of bread serves two 434 00:26:23,780 --> 00:26:27,300 Speaker 5: purposes here. One, there's beauty in sharing a meal together. 435 00:26:27,740 --> 00:26:29,480 Speaker 5: Those that we share a meal with and we share 436 00:26:29,500 --> 00:26:33,400 Speaker 5: our tables with, we are accepting into our lives. Never 437 00:26:33,480 --> 00:26:36,800 Speaker 5: underestimate the power of inviting somebody over for dinner. Never 438 00:26:36,859 --> 00:26:39,399 Speaker 5: underestimate the power of sharing a cup of coffee or 439 00:26:39,440 --> 00:26:43,060 Speaker 5: a good meal with somebody. But it wasn't just about 440 00:26:43,160 --> 00:26:45,710 Speaker 5: eating meals together, though that was certainly a part of it. 441 00:26:46,160 --> 00:26:50,000 Speaker 5: It was remembering Jesus' sacrifice through communion. Even then, so 442 00:26:50,060 --> 00:26:53,159 Speaker 5: close to Jesus' death and resurrection, they were committed to 443 00:26:53,300 --> 00:26:55,760 Speaker 5: never forgetting what he had done for them. They broke 444 00:26:55,800 --> 00:26:58,419 Speaker 5: the bread and passed it remembering the body that was broken. 445 00:26:58,619 --> 00:27:01,669 Speaker 5: They passed the cup that represented the blood that was 446 00:27:01,710 --> 00:27:04,500 Speaker 5: spilled for them. And even more than 2,000 years later, 447 00:27:04,560 --> 00:27:08,630 Speaker 5: we ought to embody these same qualities, never neglecting communion 448 00:27:08,670 --> 00:27:11,790 Speaker 5: when we gather together. The last pillar that we see 449 00:27:11,930 --> 00:27:17,090 Speaker 5: of an effective early church was prayer. Not just prayer meetings, 450 00:27:17,210 --> 00:27:20,790 Speaker 5: but the prayers, suggesting both formal times of prayer and 451 00:27:20,830 --> 00:27:24,229 Speaker 5: an ongoing daily rhythm of calling out to God. They 452 00:27:24,250 --> 00:27:26,900 Speaker 5: understood that without prayer, all their efforts would be in vain. 453 00:27:27,440 --> 00:27:29,040 Speaker 5: And I mean, think about it. If the early church 454 00:27:29,119 --> 00:27:31,020 Speaker 5: needed to pray this much, how much more do we, 455 00:27:31,470 --> 00:27:35,260 Speaker 5: In this distracted, fast-paced world, we need to stay grounded 456 00:27:35,420 --> 00:27:37,760 Speaker 5: in prayer. We need to stay grounded in the character 457 00:27:37,800 --> 00:27:40,879 Speaker 5: of God. And because the early church was rooted in 458 00:27:40,900 --> 00:27:44,430 Speaker 5: these four pillars, God showed up in powerful ways. Acts 459 00:27:44,430 --> 00:27:47,449 Speaker 5: 2.43 tells us that fear came upon every soul and 460 00:27:47,490 --> 00:27:50,290 Speaker 5: many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. There 461 00:27:50,310 --> 00:27:52,890 Speaker 5: was a tangible sense of God's presence and power among them. 462 00:27:53,410 --> 00:27:56,420 Speaker 5: And what did that lead to? Well, it led to generosity. 463 00:27:56,950 --> 00:27:59,590 Speaker 5: These new believers didn't just nod politely to each other 464 00:27:59,650 --> 00:28:01,690 Speaker 5: on Sundays and call it a day. No, they shared 465 00:28:01,710 --> 00:28:04,359 Speaker 5: their lives and their possessions with each other too. They 466 00:28:04,390 --> 00:28:07,159 Speaker 5: held everything in common. Now, before you panic, I'm not 467 00:28:07,180 --> 00:28:10,760 Speaker 5: suggesting that we start a commune. This wasn't some forced 468 00:28:10,820 --> 00:28:14,580 Speaker 5: experimental socialism. It was an overflow of love. They cared 469 00:28:14,680 --> 00:28:17,460 Speaker 5: more about each other than they did their own stuff. Radical? 470 00:28:17,700 --> 00:28:18,280 Speaker 2: Absolutely. 471 00:28:18,440 --> 00:28:21,540 Speaker 5: But it was also incredibly attractive to the world around them. 472 00:28:22,380 --> 00:28:25,830 Speaker 5: Acts 2, 46-47 tells us that they worshipped together in 473 00:28:25,850 --> 00:28:28,720 Speaker 5: the temple, and broke bread in each other's homes with 474 00:28:28,780 --> 00:28:32,000 Speaker 5: glad and sincere hearts. They praised God and enjoyed the 475 00:28:32,060 --> 00:28:34,480 Speaker 5: favor of all people. And you know what happened next? 476 00:28:34,940 --> 00:28:37,530 Speaker 5: The Lord added to their number daily those who were 477 00:28:37,550 --> 00:28:41,370 Speaker 5: being saved. This wasn't about a slick evangelism strategy or 478 00:28:41,470 --> 00:28:44,670 Speaker 5: five-step church growth plan. It was about living out the 479 00:28:44,710 --> 00:28:47,470 Speaker 5: gospel in such a compelling way that others couldn't help 480 00:28:47,490 --> 00:28:50,210 Speaker 5: but want in. Their love for God and each other 481 00:28:50,430 --> 00:28:51,450 Speaker 5: was their greatest witness. 482 00:28:52,210 --> 00:28:52,810 Speaker 2: So what about us? 483 00:28:53,270 --> 00:28:56,370 Speaker 5: Do we as a church embody this kind of community, koinonia? 484 00:28:57,060 --> 00:28:59,510 Speaker 5: Are we devoted to the word, committed to each other, 485 00:28:59,610 --> 00:29:02,740 Speaker 5: remembering the cross and rooted in prayer? Because if we are, 486 00:29:02,770 --> 00:29:05,630 Speaker 5: I believe God will do amazing things among us. Not 487 00:29:05,690 --> 00:29:09,470 Speaker 5: necessarily adding 3,000 people in one day, although, hey, why not? 488 00:29:09,970 --> 00:29:12,610 Speaker 5: But transforming us into a community that looks a whole 489 00:29:12,630 --> 00:29:15,970 Speaker 5: lot like Jesus. Let's be a church where together isn't 490 00:29:15,990 --> 00:29:18,310 Speaker 5: just a word we throw around, but a reality we 491 00:29:18,350 --> 00:29:21,670 Speaker 5: live out every day. Let's break bread. Let's pray, share, 492 00:29:22,110 --> 00:29:23,910 Speaker 5: and see what God does as a result.