Rev. David Holwick  Z                                   Communion sermon
First Baptist Church                                    
Ledgewood, New Jersey
August 1, 1999                                           
                                                             Acts 2:42-47

                          FULFILLING FELLOWSHIP
                          =====================


  I. They were devoted.                                         Acts 2:42
      A. Apostles' teaching.   (Bible)
          1) Originally their preaching, and accounts of Jesus.
          2) For us, New and Old Testaments.

      B. Fellowship.
          1) Very significant in early church.
          2) Literally, "the fellowship."
              a) They were identified as a group.
              b) Probably seen as synagogue of Nazarenes.
          3) They enjoyed each other's company.
              a) One of my greatest blessings in becoming a Christian.
              b) Thursday night Bible study.
                  1> Warmth and concern.
                  2> Rituals - candy for kids, hugs for me.
          4) We have a reputation as a friendly church.

      C. Breaking of bread.    (communion)
          1) Lunch with Rabbi Soffin at "Casa de Pasta"
             Waitress drops off basket of bread before taking order.
                I dig into it, pig that I am.
             Rabbi has a stunned look - "Don't Baptists pray before meals?"
                "Of course.  I do it before the main meal."
             Rabbi - "To Jews, bread IS the main meal."
                So he broke it, prayed, and we ate.

          2) Ambiguity - ordinary meal or communion?
              a) Luke uses it both ways.               (note verse 46)
              b) But even ordinary meals became special times of fellowship
                    in early church.
                  1> Communion itself was more of a full meal.
                  2> It is also listed here between fellowship and prayer.
          3) Sacred times together.
              a) Communion reminds us it is not just "fun and games."
              b) Our salvation had a great price.
              c) God's power is what makes us great.

      D. Prayer.
          1) Literally, "the prayers."
              a) Formal prayers are probably intended.
              b) Like Moslems today, Jews back then had regular times to
                    pray each day.
                  1> Baptists prefer less formal prayer.
          2) Prayer is the spiritual glue for a church.
              a) When is last time you prayed for someone in this church?
                  1> Deeply and reverently prayed?

 II. They experienced amazing things.

        There are, I should say, four elements in a redemptive community.
        It is personal, with things happening between people as well as
           to and in them individually.
        It is compassionate, always eager to help, observant but non-
           judgmental toward others, breathing out hope and concern;
        It is creative, with imagination about each one in the group and
           its work as a whole, watching for authentic new vision coming
              from any of them;
        And it is expectant, always seeking to offer to God open and
           believing hearts and minds through which He can work out His
              will.

        It may fairly be said that unless one enmeshes himself in this
           "redemptive fellowship" of the church, he lessens his chances
               of steady growth and effectiveness, in his Christian life
                  and experience.

                      Samuel M. Shoemaker, The Experiment of Faith  #4221

      A. They saw wonders happen.
          1) The early church was a miracle-filled church.
              a) Is it different today?  Should it be?
              b) Our reaction against emotional extremism.
          2) God can do wonders today.
              a) Greatest is changing people.

      B. Closeness.                                             Acts 2:44
          1) They were together.
          2) Not just worship time, but "people time."
          3) Get to know God's people.

      C. Generosity.                                            Acts 2:45
          1) How generous are you with God's work?
              a) (Biography on John D. Rockefeller - he handed
                     out envelopes in church.
                  Most in his church in Ceveland were lower-class.
          2) In a culture of aquisition, Christians can show
                that people mean more to us than things.

      D. Growth.                                           
          1) Joy.                                               Acts 2:46
              a) They enjoyed the simple pleasures in life.
              b) Lots of people are miserable.
                  1> They want to know where they can find happiness.
                  2> Why not in church?
          2) Favor.                                             Acts 2:47
              a) They were known and respected.  Even liked.
              b) Not everyone will appreciate Christians, but
                    they will respond to our love.
          3) Growth.
              a) Genuine churches grow.
              b) Not just in feeling, but in numbers!
                 [or vice-versa, depending on the needs of your church!]


=======================================================================
SOURCE FOR ILLUSTRATION USED IN THIS SERMON:

#4221, "The Experiment of Faith," Samuel M. Shoemaker, quoted in Online
            Christian Quotation of the Day, editor Robert McAnally Adams,
            November 1, 1997.

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