Monday Morning Challenge

Monday, October 14th

Text: Acts 4:32-5:16
Sunday Sermon Title: “A New Community”

God never calls us to faith without also calling us into relationship with other believers.  Followers of Jesus never walk the journey of faith alone. God uses these fellow travelers to encourage us, to correct us, and to remind us that no matter what, God’s love and faithfulness towards us never fails!

In our text this week, Luke gave us a powerful description of Christian community.  As I read the text again this morning, I continue to be challenged when Luke writes “…God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them” (vs. 33b-34a).  I simply cannot move past the idea that they were in this together and together they had all they needed.

Somehow, by God’s design and continued intervention through the Holy Spirit, the Church is God’s way of providing for every possible need we have.  God does not promise that our life will be easy nor will it be free from the experience of pain and suffering.  But he does promise to be with us and give us everything we need to show the world that Jesus is alive and that life with him is always best.

Here are a few questions to ponder this week to help you continue to think about what it means to be part of this “New Community” – the church:

1. Do you stay connected to other believers (i.e. your church family) throughout the week?  
   (If yes) What ways work best for you? Do you feel the need to connect more? 
   (If no) What steps could you take to stay more connected?
2. What have been the most tangible experiences of Christian community in your life?
3. What needs do you have (physical, spiritual or emotional) that could be met through deeper relationships with other believers?

I am a big fan of small groups (for fellowship, prayer & Bible study) because our needs are often best met through a small group of supportive believers who “do life together.”  I encourage you this week to pray about how you might go deeper with God and each other by more actively participating in small groups or other means of connecting with your church family!

For those who would like to read ahead, next week’s sermon text is Acts 5:17-42.