Sunday Sermon, April 21, 2002

Think for a moment about this verse of scripture. It is more than a verse of scripture. It is a description of the New Testament church, of the 3,000 or so people who became believers when Peter preached the Good News of Jesus Christ on the day of Pentecost. It describes a people who have become a community united in a common belief that Jesus is, indeed the Messiah. It describes a community united by teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayer.
“They devoted themselves to the apostle’s teaching and to the fellowship, to the
breaking of bread and to prayer.”

Could this verse of scripture be used to describe St. Paul’s? Could this verse of scripture be used to describe you?

Are we DEVOTED to Jesus and to each other?

How do others know your devotion?

Listen to how Luke describes the believer’s devotion.

“All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Everyday they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all people.”

I know what you are thinking. There is no way you could do that today. So let me ask you why? Is life today so much different? Truthfully, no it isn’t. The people in the 1stcentury had the same needs as you and I have in the 21st century. There is no reason that today’s church, that this church, that any church could not be described in the same way as the New testament. There is no reason except for the people who make up the church.

Mike Breaux, Senior Pastor of the Sutherland Christian Church in Lexington, Kentucky wrote an article entitled It is not the size or site but the Spirit. In this article he asks the question, “What make a church prevail?” He identifies four attributes. It is full of people who:

1. Live a distinctive lifestyle

2. Have a passionate faith

3. Extend an inclusive love

4. Are always looking for ways to share the dynamic message of the gospel.

Mike isn’t telling us anything new. He is simply telling us what Luke told us.

“They devoted themselves to the apostle’s teaching and to the fellowship, to the
breaking of bread and to prayer.”

Is this you? Is this St. Paul’s? Why not?

What are you doing to make St. Paul’s the kind of place that will attract others to Christ? What are you doing to make yourself the kind of person that will attract others to Christ?

AMEN