THE CHURCH as it should be? (This post is NOT mine, unknown, but is worth the READ!)

Take a few moments to carefully consider this description of the early church: “All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had…  34 There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them 35 and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need.  36 For instance, there was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means “Son of Encouragement”)… 37 He sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles” (Acts 4:32-37).

Could this portrayal of the early church be used to depict our present-day church?  Or does reading this passage of Scripture, and using it as the standard to evaluate what we now call “the church”, cause an unsettling discontentment within you?  Have we fallen far short of the mark our early brothers and sisters set for us?  How many people do you know in our church body who have real and desperate needs?  Let’s bring it closer to home – within our own Life Group, are you aware of someone who needs a tank of gas, groceries for the week, or money to pay an electric bill?  If you do not presently know of someone with a need, why don’t you?  And if you are currently the one in need, why haven’t you told someone?

According to Acts 4, within the early church, NO ONE had a need because those who had excess would sell it in order to give to those without!!   Members of the church body considered no possession to be their own, but rather, belonging to everyone!

You might consider the “early church” model to be a “radical” idea, or perhaps just not possible in the day and age we live in.  Scripture speaks to the contrary.  After all, we claim to be Christ-followers, and our Lord Jesus was likely the greatest “radical” to ever walk this earth!  This is the Man Who said things like: “Go and sell all your possessions and give to the poor” (Matthew 19:21), and “ ‘If you want to be my disciple, you must hate everyone else by comparison – your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters – yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple’ ” (Luke14:26).  If Jesus said it, we are to follow.  If His early church modeled it, then it can be assumed that we, as His present-day church, are to also go and do likewise.

In John 13:34-35, Jesus stated, “ ‘So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other.  Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.  Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.’ ” If, on any given day, someone from “the world” were to observe our church, or even a Small Group, would they be able to tell that we are disciples of Christ, as evidenced by our deep love for each other?   Would they be able to tell any noticeable difference between us and the world?

Brothers and Sisters, it is time to put the early church principles into practice!  Attempting to transform our entire church with these ideals would likely be too large a task.  But it can certainly start a Small Group!

How can this happen?  You can begin a “no-one-in-need” provision chain.  This will require that each of us learn to: 1. Listen closely for the Spirit’s prompts, as He shares with us specific needs that one of our brothers or sisters might have; 2. Be willing to give of our excess, and even in our lack, if the Spirit says we have something someone else needs; and 3. Practice humility, by being open to admitting when we have needs that we are unable to meet on our own – otherwise, how will the rest of the body know?

As often as necessary, send email notices of either:  1. A current need you are unable to meet on your own (from food, to gas, to a washing machine b/c yours broke down); or 2. Something you have that you no longer need (an old car, a dryer, a set of sheets, etc) – or simply that the Holy spirit has alerted you that someone else is in need of…even if you do not know the specific individual.  Through the no-one-in-need chain, we will make sure provision gets to the right individuals.
When  a Small Group begins to truly function as a body, with each part reliant on the other parts in order to function at full capacity, not only will no brother or sister ever have an unmet need, but those watching will be able to tell that we are truly disciples of Jesus Christ!  Ultimately, our love for one another will draw others to Him!

The selflessness and boldness of the early church forever changed the world.  Brother and Sisters, it is time for God’s people to once again radically affect the world around us!!