It has been an interesting week in our nation with the government shutdown, an event that encapsulates so much of how our government approaches differences. Our nation and our world is full of so much division and separation; and yet as we gather for worship this Sunday, we gather with believers around the world in celebrating communion together. In the process, we enact our unity in Christ amid the divisions and factions of our nation and our world.
Jesus was born, lived, died and rose again. After His resurrection he appeared to the disciples and then ascended to heaven leaving the promise of the Holy Spirit. On Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came and the church was born. This was a church born out of great diversity, of people from different nationalities who spoke different languages. Yet amid their diversity, we read in Acts 2:42-47 about the unity of that community. They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching, to fellowship, to breaking bread and to prayer. And they sold what they had to provide for those among them who were in need. They fellowshipped together daily and the Lord added to their number.
The Lord added to their number and certainly this was through the power of the Holy Spirit. And yet it seems to me that amid their diversity, their devotion to the practice of coming together, of breaking bread together, was a testimony of the power of the Holy Spirit, to their unity in Christ. Perhaps it wasn't just experiencing internally the power of the Holy Spirit as we so often think that added to their numbers, but perhaps it was also witnessing the power of the Holy Spirit even in the everyday, mundane events of eating together with people that were coming from such different places that added to their numbers. Because the visible witness of a group of diverse people coming together around a table on a regular basis is also a visible witness to the unifying power of Christ in our lives through the movement of the Holy Spirit in a world of division, separation, and animosity toward others.
As you consider the early church of Acts, reflect on these questions
in a time of silence, through journaling or in group dialogue.
1. What is it that we are devoted to? Is that consistent with the model of the early church? Should it be consistent with the early church? Is it reflective of what it means to be the body of Christ in 2013, or have we lost some of our focus?
2. Describe your most memorable experience of communion. What made it so memorable for you?
3. In Acts 2 it is the Lord who added to their numbers, and yet they were a part of a visible community. What is God's part in this and what is our part in sharing the good news of the gospel and "growing" the church today?
4. When we experience national events like the government shutdown and we hear the responses of the talking heads, politians, and people around us; what is our faithful response as followers of Christ, citizens of a heavenly kingdom?
5.Given the model of the early church of selling their possessions to provide for those among them who were in need, what if anything does this say to us when the source of the government shutdown stems from debate about the Affordable Care Act?
May Jesus richly bless you in this week ahead, leading you in His kingdom purposes. Amen
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