Theme: When the Holy Spirit is moving, we can expect the Church to have the same characteristics as the Early Church.
Introduction
In Acts 11:23, Barnabas saw the grace of God in Antioch. What did Barnabas see? He would have seen the same things happening in Antioch that he had seen in Jerusalem:
- The Grace of God
- The power of the Holy Spirit seen in the lives of believers
- Love towards one another
- Faith that is a living faith — an active, trusting faith in daily life
"By their fruits you shall know them" (Matthew 7:16). People are known by what they do. The evidence that the Holy Spirit is moving in the body of Christ is that the "Grace of God" will be seen in the everyday life of the believers.
What Would We Expect to See in the Church?
- Helping each other
- Fellowshipping together
- Giving to one another
What do we see? Yes we can see this, but often we only see organized religion:
- Church in isolation (Separation is not isolation)
- Like the world without the power of God
- Counseling through psychology instead of the Spirit
Main Points
1. The Grace of God in the Early Church (Acts 2:42-47)
The church was characterized by:
a) A Love for Teaching (2:42)
The scriptures come alive because the scriptures reveal Jesus. The scriptures are not an end in themselves — we must see Jesus. It is possible to be disciplined in reading the scriptures daily but forget the importance of growing in relationship with Jesus.
b) A Love for Fellowship (2:42)
Fellowship is not just meeting together but it means sharing ourselves with others. We must have the same love, be in one accord and have the same mind to be in true fellowship with one another (Philippians 2:2).
c) Prayer (2:42)
Prayer is natural for believers. Religion makes prayer a religious duty but true prayer is communication that comes out of relationship. It is not necessary to go through rituals to pray. We can come boldly into His presence because we are accepted in Christ (Hebrews 4:16). When the grace of God is present, God's people will pray. The grace of God brings simplicity in prayer.
d) Praise (2:47)
Praise will flow out of those upon whom the grace of God dwells. Praise is continuous. It is the response of the heart to the work of God in our lives. A heart overflowing with the love of God will overflow with praise.
2. The Believers Were Characterized By (Acts 4:32-35)
a) Unity (4:32)
It is a unity that cannot be produced. It is a unity that is received through new life in Christ. We are not told to produce this unity — that is what ecumenicalism tries to do. We are told to keep the unity of the Spirit (Ephesians 4:3).
It is a unity that is kept by our love one for another. Jesus said: "This is how people will know you are my disciples" (John 13:34-35).
b) Generosity (4:32)
When the grace of God is working in a person's life then he or she will be generous. God's people are a giving people.
Story: When the Fire Fell (2 Corinthians 9:7-8)
A great move of the Spirit of God took place through the ministry of T.B. Barratt at All Saints Church in Sunderland, England in 1907.
On the wall of the Church there is a sign: "SEPTEMBER 1907 — WHEN THE FIRE OF THE LORD FELL IT BURNED UP THE DEBT."
The debt on the Church Hall was paid without an offering being taken. When the Spirit of God moves upon the people, the Grace of God is expressed through joyful giving.
c) Great Concern and Love for One Another (4:34-35)
Concern means seeking to carry burdens and lighten loads (Galatians 6:2).
3. Great Grace Was Upon Them All (Acts 4:33)
Grace is the Greek word charis and has the meaning "that which brings joy." God's grace brings His people into a right relationship with Himself through the work of the Lord Jesus Christ and also brings great rejoicing as the heart is filled with gratitude, thankfulness and joy. We need the presence and power of God in the Church.
The result of God's grace upon the Early Church was that the church grew in numbers every day (Acts 2:47).
"The Lord gives more grace" — James 4:6
Grace comes to those who walk in humility. The Greek word tapeinos means lowly and not proud. It is a humility that does not trust in our own abilities but is dependent upon the Lord. The Laodicean Church in Revelation 3 had lost this humility because of their natural wealth and influence.
Summary
- 1. When the Grace of God is upon the Church, it will be like Acts 2:42-47
- 2. When the Grace of God is upon believers, they will be like Acts 4:32-35
- 3. When there is great grace upon the body of Christ, the result will be that people will be drawn to Christ