A vision for church
Day 486, Wednesday, Dec. 10
Acts 2:42 – Chapter 3
In 2:42-47 we get a powerful yet deceptively simple vision of what the church can and should be. Let’s unpack it a bit:
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching…” The people spent time listening to teaching. If we want to know what this teaching was, look at the examples that occur throughout Acts: the apostles draw deeply on scripture to understand who Jesus is and what following him means.
“…and to fellowship,” There is no solitary Christianity. We only thrive in community.
“…to the breaking of bread…” Eating together is one of the best ways to build community.
“…and to prayer.” Prayer wasn’t just an afterthought. It was something they devoted themselves to. If eating together is how we maintain fellowship with other people, prayer is how we maintain fellowship with God.
From there we see the people standing in awe of the great works of God.
They sold property and possessions, which not only allowed them to give to people who had greater need, but also let them break the bonds that our possessions often place on us.
They met daily in the courts of the temple, making worship a daily reality.
Beginning in verse 46 we read, “They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.”
This conjures an image of Christians as quiet, modest people who are highly regarded by the larger community—not something we always accomplish in our day.
Until its very last sentence this paragraph describes what the believers did. Finally in verse 47 we see God’s response: “And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”
-Rev. Mark Fleming
Wednesday meditation
Psalms 39:1-13
I said, “I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth while in the presence of the wicked.” So I remained utterly silent, not even saying anything good. But my anguish increased; my heart grew hot within me. While I meditated, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue:
“Show me, Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is. You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure.
“Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom; in vain they rush about, heaping up wealth without knowing whose it will finally be.
“But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you. Save me from all my transgressions; do not make me the scorn of fools. I was silent; I would not open my mouth, for you are the one who has done this. Remove your scourge from me; I am overcome by the blow of your hand. When you rebuke and discipline anyone for their sin, you consume their wealth like a moth—surely everyone is but a breath.
“Hear my prayer, Lord, listen to my cry for help; do not be deaf to my weeping. I dwell with you as a foreigner, a stranger, as all my ancestors were. Look away from me, that I may enjoy life again before I depart and am no more.”
Prayer focus
Shape us, God, into the church you want us to be.