Coming Together Again After Unsettling Times (Acts 1:1-26; 2:1-2)
Sermon Summary
Pastor David Yan
4 October 2020
After an unsettling time the early church regrouped. Consider the reasons why it did so.
First, the risen Lord Jesus commanded it. The fact that his direction was obeyed is indicative that the early church was convinced of his resurrection. They did not obey an imposter. They were not deceived. They obeyed someone they knew — the risen Jesus Christ. Jesus directs our lives. We are like sheep and Jesus is the good shepherd directing and protecting us.
Secondly, Jesus himself desires to meet with his people. His desire is deep as seen by the statement in Luke 22:15 where he said with desire he desired to eat the Passover meal with his disciples. The word desire is used twice. It was, as it were, a double desire. Jesus has a continuing desire to be with his people and one day there will be a wonderful coming together — at the marriage supper of the Lamb (Rev.19:7,9).
Coming together also is an opportunity for prayer and encouragement. This is what the early church did. After unsettling times they regrouped and prayed. Believers are encouraged by believers not nonbelievers. Faith is strengthened by the coming together of the faithful. Therefore if you wish to be built up in the faith come together and not stay apart.
Next, the church came together to take stock of where they were at. They realised they were one short of 12 apostles and did something about it. I do not say that what they did was necessarily right for the 12th member of the apostleship, viz, Paul, would come later. But the early church at least took Jesus's calling of 12 seriously and took stock of their situation. After our troubled days when all is over do we take stock of where we are at?
Next, the church came together in preparation for the next chapter in their existence. And what was the next chapter? It was the baptism by the Holy Spirit which we read about in Acts 2. Our lives are like a book with chapter after chapter. God always has a next chapter for us, just as he did with the early church. The church was filled with the Spirit and with great power and authority proclaimed the resurrection of Jesus. What a glorious new chapter this was.
The whole matter of coming together may be summarised by Hebrews 10:25 which teaches that we should not forsake the assembling of ourselves together.
Apostolic church practice is a pattern for us. The early church did not forsake coming together. Neither should we.
Always remember that watching a delayed recording or screening is not the same as a live meeting. They can never capture a live moment. The Holy Spirit works in a live situation and his workings cannot be captured with replays even though the Lord does work to some degree in such replays.
This poses the question why come together when we can stay home and watch replays? Replays are like books that we may turn to for information and education. But they are no substitute for a live meeting. You cannot mute the Holy Spirit while you make yourself a coffee!
We are greatly indebted to the volumes of printed literature we have. Likewise, we are indebted to modern technology in giving us videos and streaming. These media, like books of old, can be a source of encouragement and indeed, of survival, in times of great persecution. But streamed sessions and videos, like books, are no substitute for live meetings.
Let us always gather when we can. We say we are New Testament churches. Can a New Testament church really exist if it does not come together?