Transforming Communities | Part 2 | Jacob Sheriff

Message Date: September 25, 2022
Bible

Part 2: “Marked by Love”

Introduction

“To see people (and communities) transformed by Jesus”

Acts 2:40 (ESV) And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.”

Making disciples of nations (communities) includes the church being an alternative community of Jesus’s disciples who live under the rule of His Kingdom.

Followers of Jesus call people out of their “crooked generation” that they need “saved” from and into a new, alternative community, the Church. We need “saved” out of this generation and into a new “people-group” (nation). The Church is the community of Jesus’ apprentices who live a different way of life, lives marked by the presence and power of Jesus together.

Characteristics of a Transformed Community (Acts 2:43-47):

  1. Wonder
  2. Many Miracles
  3. Unity
  4. Extravagant Generosity
  5. Consistent Corporate Gatherings
  6. Small Group Hospitality
  7. Glad and Generous Hearts
  8. Praise and Worship
  9. Favor
  10. Church growth

Body

Acts 2:42-47 (ESV) And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

“The Fellowship” — κοινωνία (koinōnia) (noun)

  • “Includes contributions (monetary or goods), table fellowship, and the general friendship and unity which characterized the community”[1]
  • Fellowship, communion, sharing, participation. A term that conveys a sense of commonality, solidarity, and shared responsibility among households or individuals. The most general sense of this term refers to a shared conviction that manifests itself as mutual responsibility and status. Most often, koinōnia refers to the sharing of resources, monetary or otherwise (e.g., Acts 2:42; Rom 15:26; 2 Cor 8:4; 9:13; Phlm 1:6; Heb 13:16). For example, in Rom 15:26 Christian assemblies in Macedonia and Achaia make a “donation” (koinōnia) for the poor in Jerusalem. In this text, the term koinōnia reflects the willingness of the assemblies to share their resources as a way of expressing solidarity with and responsibility for the saints in Jerusalem. Those who choose to willing engage in mutual responsibility are described as having “partnership” (koinōnia) with the body of Christ (1 Cor 10:16), the gospel (Phil 1:5), the Spirit (Phil 2:1), the sufferings of the Messiah (Phil 3:10), or, negatively, unbelievers (2 Cor 6:14). The NT also teaches that believers enjoy “fellowship” (koinōnia) with Jesus (e.g., 1 Cor 1:9; 1 John 1:3, 6).”[2]

Acts 2:42-47 (ESV) And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

Clarifying this from the beginning, our “fellowship” (relationships, community, commonality) is grounded in Jesus Christ, being His disciple, learning from Him, our lives and relationship being built on the Word of God, the Truth (1 John 1:3, John 8:31-32, John 14:6). The community of faith is not built on what we are afraid of or what we are against. It is not based on a identity based on the flesh (identity politics), or opinion or political persuasion. It’s not built on outward appearances (clothes, hair, attire), or common interests (like a club). It is built on Jesus Christ Himself (Ephesians 2:20) and our faith in Him; that faith bringing us into a transformational relationship with Him through the Holy Spirit and by the Scriptures.

Being built on the Truth in Jesus, what then does it mean for Jesus’ disciples to be devoted to the community of relationships?

  1. Hospitality
  2. Prayer
  3. Generosity
  4. Service

“Love” (agapē)

“Love” — ἀγάπη (agapē) (noun)

  • This term means “love” but can also denote ideas such as benevolence or goodwill.
  • The noun ἀγάπη (agapē) carries the sense of affectionate regard or benevolence toward someone. The Septuagint almost always uses this word for love to translate one of the main Hebrew words for love (אָהֵב, ʾāhēb).
  • The NT employs the term agapē in two basic ways. First, it can denote “love” in a general sense. Examples of this use include references to love as an idea (e.g., John 15:13; Rom 13:10) and love between people (e.g., 2 Cor 2:4; 8:7). Second, the NT writers use the noun agapē to refer to the love of God (e.g., Rom 5:5; 2 Thess 3:5) or of Christ (e.g., John 15:10; Rom 8:35). This use of the noun is epitomized in the affirmation that “God is love” (ὁ θεὸς ἀγάπη ἐστίν, ho theos agapē estin; 1 John 4:8, 16).[3]

John 13:34-35 (ESV) “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

“The measure in which Christian people fail in love to each other is the measure in which the world does not believe in them, or their Christianity. It is the final test of discipleship, according to Jesus.”[4] ~ G. Campbell Morgan

Acts 2:42-47 (ESV) And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

  1. Hospitality
  2. Prayer
  3. Generosity
  4. Service

Romans 12:9-13 (NLT) Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.

“Hospitality” — φιλοξενία (philoxenia) (noun) Practical kindness paid especially to strangers, often in the sharing of food and drink, lodging, and provision.

The most straight forward and simplest way to “practice hospitality” is sharing a meal together. (“The breaking of bread” — Acts 2:42)

James 5:16 (NLT) Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.

Never underestimate the power of praying for one another. (“The prayers — Acts 2:42)

Conclusion

1 Peter 4:7-9 (ESV) The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.

For Integration:

  • Share a meal with another family
  • Offer to pray for someone

[1] Seccombe, Possessions, 204. Cf. D. G. Peterson, Engaging with God: A Biblical Theology of Worship (Leicester: Apollos; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1992), 153–55

[2] Mangum, Douglas, Derek R. Brown, Rachel Klippenstein, and Rebekah Hurst, eds. Lexham Theological Wordbook, Lexham Bible Reference Series. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014.

[3] [3] Mangum, Douglas, Derek R. Brown, Rachel Klippenstein, and Rebekah Hurst, eds. Lexham Theological Wordbook, Lexham Bible Reference Series. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014.

[4] G. Campbell Morgan, The Gospel According to John, p. 241, (available at https://archive.org/details/GCampbellMorgan-TheGospelAccordingToJohn_636)