So what does it mean to do the will of our father in heaven, as a family of followers of Jesus? How do our values impact our routines and traditions as we develop into a church family?
One example that will guide us for the rest of this series comes from this description in the book of Acts, which tells the story of the first followers of Jesus organizing their extended family after Jesus died, rose and left the earth.
42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe[e] came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Five main elements devoted to:
- Growth in Discipleship – They shared some teaching and belief in common with each other, and those who knew Jesus, the apostles.
- Groups in Community –They were together regularly.
- Grace in Lifestyle – They gained favour with all the people through their changed hearts
- Generosity of Resources – They were selling and sharing their possessions to ensure no one was in need.
- God in Worship – They regularly attended temple worship, and were breaking bread in homes in keeping with Jesus’ instructions from the night before he died
We’ll explore each of these things in depth these next few weeks, because these are the same things our church community will be devoted to. We will try to keep it well rounded, and not just focus on one thing or another.
Challenge: Rank these from easiest to hardest for you.
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CloseRyan Sim - July 4, 2013
Thursday - Act On It - Knowing
So far this week, we've seen that Christian faith is not about just the words you say, and not just about deeds you do. If it were, then Christian faith would be like trying to get to know a celebrity - you would either be guessing the right passcode to get through their mansion gates, or you'd be trying to hop the fence. It would be easy to know about the celebrity, and never really know them. But thankfully, God is not like a celebrity who keeps a safe distance from his fans. In Jesus, God came to earth. He didn’t have to, but he passed through those gates into our world and made it possible for us to know him personally. God took on human flesh, clothed in the way people were clothed in first century Israel, and spoke their language. We can actually know God, who came to earth in Jesus, and is active today through his Holy Spirit. Even though Jesus died and rose and since returned to heaven, we can still know him by studying his words, communicating with him in prayer, and with the community he calls his body on earth – the church. Like the one we are forming in Ajax in Durham Region just East of Toronto. The saying is true: it's not about what you know, or do, it’s about who you know. Who you know, will then affect what you say and do. Words and deeds are important, but are no substitute for the full picture of life in God's kingdom given in the Sermon on the Mount. It's about actually following who you say you follow. Inviting him to transform life…not just saying he does. The aim is to have him transform our hearts, so they look more like his. How do we know? That’s what Jesus has been teaching all through the Sermon on the Mount. He's been describing what God’s heart looks like, and wants your heart to look like, so that it transforms the rest of your life. The health of your actual heart matters – blood passes through to all areas of the body. An unhealthy heart means unhealthy life. No matter how healthy you appear, you aren’t healthy if your heart is hurting. God wants to transform the heart of our lives, so all other areas of life get healthy. And he warns us that starting with our words and actions will result in failure. It starts with openness to Jesus…a willing submission to his will. Challenge: List some ways to intentionally get to know a new friend, neighbour or colleague better. Now list ways you can intentionally get to know Jesus better. Pick one from each list and try it today.
Related Topics: God, Jesus, Knowing | More Messages from Ryan Sim | Download Audio
From Series: "Sermon on the Mount"
More From "Sermon on the Mount"
Friday - Reflect - Originality | July 19, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Originality | July 18, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Originality | July 17, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Originality | July 16, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Originality | July 15, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Foundations | July 12, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Foundations | July 11, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Foundations | July 10, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Foundations | July 9, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Foundations | July 8, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Knowing | July 5, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Knowing | July 4, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Knowing | July 3, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Knowing | July 2, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Knowing | July 1, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Influences | June 28, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Influences | June 27, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Influences | June 26, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Influences | June 25, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Influences | June 24, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Golden Rule | June 21, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - The Golden Rule | June 20, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - The Golden Rule | June 19, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - The Golden Rule | June 18, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - The Golden Rule | June 17, 2013 | Extra | Watch | Listen | |
Friday - Reflect - Needs | June 14, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Needs | June 13, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Needs | June 12, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Needs | June 11, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Needs | June 10, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Judgement | June 7, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Judgement | June 6, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Judgement | June 5, 2013 | Short Film | Watch | Listen | |
Tuesday - Study It - Judgement | June 4, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Judgement | June 3, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Worry | May 31, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Worry | May 30, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Worry | May 29, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Worry | May 28, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Worry | May 27, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Priorities | May 24, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday- Act On It - Priorities | May 23, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Priorities | May 22, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Priorities | May 21, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Priorities | May 20, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Forgiveness | May 17, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Forgiveness | May 16, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Forgiveness | May 15, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Forgiveness | May 14, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Forgiveness | May 13, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Self Denial | May 10, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Self Denial | May 9, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Self Denial | May 8, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Self Denial | May 7, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Self Denial | May 6, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Pompous Prayer | May 3, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Pompous Prayer | May 2, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Pompous Prayer | May 1, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Pompous Prayer | April 30, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Pompous Prayer | April 29, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Generosity | April 26, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Generosity | April 25, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Generosity | April 23, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Generosity | April 22, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Perfection | April 19, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Perfection | April 18, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change - Perfection | April 17, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Perfection | April 16, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Perfection | April 15, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Neighbours | April 12, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Neighbours | April 11, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change - Neighbours | April 10, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Neighbours | April 9, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Neighbours | April 8, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Retaliation | March 15, 2013 | Listen | |||
Thursday - Act On It - Retaliation | March 14, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Retaliation | March 13, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Retaliation | March 12, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Retaliation | March 11, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Truth | March 8, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Truth | March 7, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Truth | March 6, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Truth | March 5, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Truth | March 4, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - The Look | March 1, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - The Look | February 28, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Study It - The Look | February 27, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - The Look | February 26, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - The Look | February 25, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Anger | February 22, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Anger | February 21, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Anger | February 20, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Anger | February 19, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Anger | February 18, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Law | February 15, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Law | February 14, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Law | February 13, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Law | February 12, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Law | February 11, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Light | February 8, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Light | February 7, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Light | February 6, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Light | February 5, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Light | February 4, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Friday - Reflect - Salt | February 1, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Thursday - Act On It - Salt | January 31, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Wednesday - Change It - Salt | January 30, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Tuesday - Study It - Salt | January 29, 2013 | Watch | Listen | ||
Monday - A New Idea - Salt | January 28, 2013 | Watch | Listen |