Devoted to Community

Acts 2:40–47

And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Acts 2:42

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

fellowship - koinonia = participating in a shared life.

Acts 2:44

And all who believed were together

Acts 2:46

And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes,

Devoted To Community

Community belongs right at the center of the purpose for which Jesus came and died.

1. The Gospel Brings Us Into a Family

Ephesians 4:1–3

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Capital “S”, Spirit = God the Holy Spirit

“Therefore.” - a connecting word that introduces a conclusion based on what came before

Ephesians 1:7

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.

Ephesians 1:9

making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ

Ephesians 1:10

to unite all things in Christ, things in heaven and things on earth in him.

Jesus reconciles us to God in heaven, but He also brings us into a new relationship with people here on earth.

Sin is more than just the breaking of a rule. It's the violation of a relationship that brings separation.

Ephesians 2:12–14

remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility

Jesus came to connect disconnected people.

Salvation changes more than your future destination. It changes who you belong to now.

Romans 13:8

Owe no one anything, except to love each other.

Ephesians 2:19

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.

We’re of the household of God, and in a good household, everybody takes responsibility.

Community isn’t simply something we fit into our lives when it’s convenient; it’s part of the new life Jesus has brought us into.

When disconnected people learn to live as family, the church becomes a living witness of the reconciling power of Jesus!

2. The Gospel Unites Us Across Our Differences

Acts 2:44

All who believed were together and had all things in common.

What happened to bring these people together?

They had received something in common that was deeper than the things that could divide them.

Ephesians 4:3

Maintain the unity of the Spirit…

Not create; maintain.

Ephesians 4:3

Maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Ephesians 2:14

For He himself is our peace…

So to protect unity we go back to the gospel and we keep remembering the One who made us one.

We don’t have to become the same person to belong to the same family; we just keep returning to the same Savior.

3. The Gospel Forms Us Through Life Together

Life together brings things to the surface that life alone allows us to avoid.

Sometimes God uses other people to show us something in our own hearts that He wants to change.

The responsibility is a burden, and it is also a gift.

Jesus carried our burdens, and now, the Savior who carried us teaches us to carry one another.

Acts 2:47

praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

“How do I start?”… Move.

Hebrews 11:8

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.

Stop waiting to understand everything before you do anything and just begin?