16-09 Vermenigvuldigen [03]

** Eerste 5 minuten van de preek zijn niet opgenomen. ** Dangers for a Growing Church Dr. Luke presents the growing testimony of Christ and a pattern emerges in Acts: this testimony is received with FAITH by some and ANIMOSITY by others. This multiplication of the witness to Christ has its affects inside and outside the walls of this young Church. In chapters 2-6 we encounter descriptions of these young believers that encourage and challenge us and we can mark a few very real and present dangers for a growing Church. Marks of the Believers [2-4] In two passages this young group of believers in Jerusalem is described: 2:41-47 and 4:31-37. It is significant to note how this new group of believers is characterized: JOY, SIMPLICITY, UNITY. These are surely concepts that every Church would like to include in the words that describe us. >> Studying Scripture [2:42a, 4:33] They remained devoted to studying Scripture. This verb captures a continued effort (present, active) and means to remain faithful to something or someone. >> Fellowship and Prayer [2:42b, 4:31] They devote themselves to assembling together and a thread through all of Acts is that the believers pray together continually. >> Generosity [2:44-45, 4:32, 34-35] These believers share one another’s physical burdens. They are even willing to sell property to share in the needs. Dangers for the Believers [4-6] The latter chapters describe some dangers for this group of believers. In Chapter 5 we read the well-known account of Ananias and Saphira. A couple that decides together they will lie to the Apostles - and to God - and try to make themselves look better than they are. Then at the back end of chapter 5 all the Apostles are rounded up and thrown in jail. And in chapter six a conflict rears its ugly head regarding the daily distribution of food to the needy. There where believers are committed to Scripture and obeying God´s Word, the temptation will come to take the shortcut and pretend to be spiritual. There where prayer unites the Church around common goals, circumstances will try and tear us apart and keep us from each other. There where strong spiritual community develops, the enemy will sow seed of dissent to break the common bond. God shows in His swift judgment of A&S that sin is still a serious problem and should not be trifled with. God shows that He is still in sovereign control and that even when the leaders are captured, His will will prevail. God grants wisdom to the Apostles to "keep the main thing the main thing" and teaches the Church to delegate these opportunities for service. Five Lessons we may learn from this Growing Church: >> Be committed to Corporate Bible Study >> Long for Fellowship in Prayer >> Increase your Generosity >> Fear the consequences of hypocrisy >> Entrust Church tasks to God-fearing believers. This multiplies OBEDIENCE, UNITY, COMMUNITY, FRUITFULNESS, and SERVICE.