“Eat, Drink, & Be Friendly”
[Acts
2:42]
March 11, 2012 Second Reformed Church
The third foci – or principle – in
our series is: if we are to grow as individuals
and the Church, we must engage in regular fellowship and hospitality. If we are to grow as individuals and the Church, we
must engage in regular fellowship and hospitality.
We have already said that for us to
grow as individuals and the Church, the Word of God must be central to our
lives and worship, and we must obey Jesus and evangelize – tell others the
Gospel. Now, to this we add: if we are to grow as individuals and the
Church, we must engage in regular fellowship and hospitality.
Our text us is a short one: hear it again: “And they devoted themselves to the apostles'
teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”
The
first question we ought to ask ourselves is, who are “they”? “They” in this verse – as we look back in our
text – are the eleven original apostles, Matthias – who replaced Judas, and the
three thousand souls who had believed and repented after hearing Peter’s
sermon, in which he explained the Gospel to all those in attendance for the
festival: Jesus is the Savior that God
sent, He lived a perfect life – doing miracles among them, they put Him to
death – through the Romans – according to God’s Plan that Jesus might die for their
sins, and He physically rose from the dead, because death could not hold Him. Peter told the crowd that Jesus is God the
Savior and about three thousand believed and repented of their sins. They became the early Church.
Our text begins to tell us what the
early Church was like: “And they devoted
themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread
and the prayers.”
First, “they devoted themselves to
the apostle’s teaching.” The devoted
themselves to keeping the Word of God central to their life and worship. They understood the centrality of the Word is
a right and necessary principle for the life and growth of the Christian and
the Church. We talked about this two weeks
ago.
Second, “they devoted themselves
to…fellowship.” They devoted themselves
to engaging in regular fellowship and hospitality as a principle for the life
and growth of the Christian and the Church.
We’ll say more about that in a moment.
Third, “they devoted themselves
to…the breaking of bread.” They
participated in the receiving of the Lord’s Supper and recognized it as
necessary for the life and growth of the Christian and the Church. Lord willing, we’ll talk more about that in
two weeks.
And fourth, “they devoted themselves
to…the prayers.” They prayed and
understood the necessity of prayer for the life and growth of the Christian and
the Church. Lord willing, we’ll look at
that next week.
At this point, we may ask, “wait a
minute, the text says that they participated in the ‘breaking of bread,’ not
the Lord’s Supper. How do you know this
is the Lord’s Supper?”
Two reasons: first, the expression “breaking of bread” is
the expression that Paul uses when explaining the Sacrament of the Lord’s
Supper. Second, sharing meals comes
under the heading of fellowship and hospitality, as we see in one of the verses
following our text: “And day by day,
attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received
their food with glad and generous hearts,” (Acts 2:46, ESV).
It’s true that the Lord’s Supper
would have been celebrated in the homes of the believers – the Lord’s Supper
would not have been celebrated in the Temple – and there were no churches. Yet, the statement about receiving food
indicates a meal other than the Lord’s Supper.
What does “fellowship” mean?
Fellowship, as we understand it in
the Scripture is something that happens among believers – among fellow
Christians. Fellowship means being part
of a group, holding certain beliefs in common, and it means working together
for the good of the whole.
When we are told they devoted
themselves to fellowship, it means that they worked hard to see and experience
themselves as a group – as the Church – that they saw great importance in unity
about what they believed, and that they gathered together as the Church to
support and encourage each other and to act together.
We who are the Church -- all those
who believe in Jesus Alone for salvation – we are to engage in fellowship
regularly, if we are to grow.
As believers in the same One Jesus
Christ for Salvation, we are to show love to each other – affection for one
another, because we are brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ. As Paul wrote, “For those whom he foreknew he
also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he
might be the firstborn among many brothers” (Romans 8:29, ESV).
We
ought to spend time together – not merely on Sunday mornings – we are not just
members of a club that has periodic meetings, but family – those who have been
united in salvation, who have the same Father. We ought to talk with each other – rejoice
with each other, show concern for each other, be interested in each other,
sympathize with each other.
Now, that does not mean that we must
fake liking each other – we, in the Church, are very different people – we have
been called from every people, and language, and tribe. Some of us will naturally be more attracted
to another and gravitate towards certain people. That is alright, but we all must show love
for every other Christian.
What does that mean? It does not mean we have to give each person
in the Church, or even in this church, the same amount of our time. It does mean that we are to show love to each
other by acknowledging and welcoming every Christian to join with us in worship
and other things that are open to all.
We have examples of what the early
Church did together:
They
all joined together daily for worship in the Temple. Notice, they continued to
worship in the place God had authorized for worship, even though the
unbelieving Jews were leading worship.
What does that mean for us? It
means you cannot be a Christian, much less have fellowship, if you do not
worship in a church. God commands us to
regularly worship together: “And let us
consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to
meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all
the more as you see the Day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV).
Notice,
they worshipped together in the Temple every day. Whenever the Temple was available for
worship, they were there. Do we love God
and each other to join together with each other whenever something is happening
at this church?
They
also worshipped together in their homes.
Certainly all three thousand did not worship in any one particular home
on a regular basis, but small groups of Christians regularly gathered together
to worship in each other’s homes. This
is not quite the idea of a “house church,” because they also worshipped in the
Temple. These were small groups gathering
together to read God’s Word, pray, sing – worship together – in addition to
their all gathering together for worship in the Temple.
There
are legitimate reasons why some people don’t open their homes to others, but do
any of us open our homes – ever – as a place to be with each other and pray for
each other, to study God’s Word together, and so forth? Might we not grow together if we spent more
time together worshipping in each other’s homes?
They
also received the Lord’s Supper regularly and frequently. We will talk more about this in two weeks,
Lord willing, but let us understand that they believed the frequent reception
of the Lord’s Supper was essential as part of their fellowship and for their
growth, because we are united in receiving the elements and because we receive
God’s Grace through them.
They
prayed with each other. In small groups,
in homes and elsewhere, they gathered and prayed with each other. We know each other and learn how to love each
other better as we hear from each other – as we express our needs, our joys,
and our sorrows. There is an intertwining
of each other when we share these things and then pray for each other.
Do
you believe in prayer? We’ll talk more
about prayer, next week, Lord willing, but know that we have a prayer meeting
on Saturdays at 3 PM. We gather
together, talk about what’s going on with each other, and then we pray.
We
also see that they shared meals. That
may be what we think of most frequently when we say “fellowship,” because we
have “coffee hour” in the “fellowship hall” – our “Freeman Hall,” and there we
get food and drink and sit at tables and talk.
When
we share food together – whether it’s eating Costco baked good, or home cooked
or baked items, or going out to eat, or going to someone’s home – as Christians,
we are eating the blessings of the Lord.
It is not just our host – or hosts – who provide the meal, but we are
sharing what God has blessed another with.
Even if someone takes us out to eat, we are receiving part of the
financial blessing that God has given to someone. This is reason for us as brothers and sisters
to unite together in giving thanks to God for the gift of the food.
Food
breaks down barriers. No matter how
different one Christian – or any person – might be from another, as we join
together in eating, we show something of our vulnerability – our need to
receive sustenance. We admit a shared
need and a shared thanksgiving as we receive food. We also get to know each other better on a
person level by what food is prepared and how the food is prepared. One of the joys of being part of this
congregation – for me – has been experiencing foods from other cultures.
Food
opens up discussions – what is it? How
was it made? Why do you eat this
way? Food opens up avenues of personal discussion
into our heritage and preferences that we might not otherwise know.
The
sharing of food is a confirmation of the Gospel, as well: After the Resurrection we read:
“As
they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said
to them, ‘Peace to you!’ But they were startled and frightened and thought they
saw a spirit. And he said to them, ‘Why are you troubled, and why do doubts
arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me,
and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.’
And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. And while
they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, ‘Have you
anything here to eat?’ They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it
and ate before them.
“Then
he said to them, ‘These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with
you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and
the Psalms must be fulfilled.’ Then he opened their minds to understand the
Scriptures, and said to them, ‘Thus it is written, that the Christ should
suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and
forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning
from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending the
promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with
power from on high’” (Luke 24:36-49, ESV).
Jesus
fellowshipped with the disciples after the Resurrection by eating fish with
them. And in eating fish with them, He
proved to them that He was alive in His Physical Body. The Gospel includes the salvation of our whole
self – soul and body. Jesus had to
physically rise from the dead to prove that the body was also saved in His Victory. And so, in eating together, we celebrate the
fact that our whole selves, including our bodies, will be raised to eternal
life.
Eating
together was also a sign of who was truly a Christian:
“After
this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two
by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. And he said
to them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray
earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go
your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. Carry
no moneybag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road. Whatever
house you enter, first say, “Peace be to this house!” And if a son of peace is
there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you. And
remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer
deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house. Whenever you enter a town
and they receive you, eat what is set before you. Heal the sick in it and say
to them, “The kingdom of God has come near to you.” But whenever you enter a
town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say, “Even the dust
of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know
this, that the kingdom of God has come near.” I tell you, it will be more
bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town” (Luke 10:1-12, ESV).
A
Christian would receive and feed a missionary.
One of the reasons we are looking for ways to provide food is to supply
food for Christian who have need. One of
the reasons we have contributed to the Church Women United Food Pantry of
Irvington is to provide food for Christians who have need.
What
about the other term, “hospitality”? We
said, if we are to grow as individuals and the Church, we must engage in
regular fellowship and hospitality.
When
we are talking about Christians getting together, it may be possible to use the
words synonymously. That is not the case
with non-Christians – for this reason:
we cannot have fellowship with someone who does not believe the same
things we do. Fellowship implies a deep
unity and intimacy that is not available between people who do not believe that
Jesus is the Only Savior. However,
hospitality is to be shown towards all people, and especially towards non-Christians.
In
fact, Jesus’ primary mode of evangelism was through the hospitality of sharing
a meal:
“And Levi made him a great feast in
his house, and there was a large company of tax collectors and others reclining
at table with them. And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at his
disciples, saying, ‘Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?’
And Jesus answered them, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but
those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to
repentance’” (Luke 5:29-32, ESV).
“One
of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's
house and reclined at the table. And behold, a woman of the city, who was a
sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee's
house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his
feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the
hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. Now
when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, ‘If this
man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who
is touching him, for she is a sinner.’ And Jesus answering said to him, ‘Simon,
I have something to say to you.’ And he answered, ‘Say it, Teacher.’
“’A certain moneylender had two
debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could
not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?’
Simon answered, ‘The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.’
And he said to him, ‘You have judged rightly.’ Then turning toward the woman he
said to Simon, ‘Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no
water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with
her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased
to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my
feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are
forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.’ And
he said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’ Then those who were at table with him
began to say among themselves, ‘Who is this, who even forgives sins?’ And he
said to the woman, ‘Your faith has saved you; go in peace’” (Luke 7:36-50, ESV).
“[Jesus] said also to the man who
had invited him, ‘When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your
friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also
invite you in return and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the
poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they
cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just’ (Luke
14:12-14, ESV).
One of the best ways to share the
Gospel is to share a meal with someone.
As you share a meal, you get to know a person better and there may be a
way to raise the question of what a person believes. Being willing to share a meal is also just a
way to show that you care for others, even if you don’t present the Gospel in
that moment.
One of the reasons we are looking
for ways to provide food is that others would know why we are looking for ways
to provide food. We are seeking to let
others know that we show hospitality because we have been saved by Jesus Alone
– that others would know we give to them out of our blessings in thanks for
what Jesus has done for us.
So, hospitality ties back to
evangelism that we looked at last week.
We must seek ways to tell others the Gospel. The way Jesus used most often was over
sharing a meal. Since hospitality is
intertwined with evangelism, it is part of how we grow as individuals and the Church.
Eat, drink, and be friendly. That is the primary mode of evangelism we see
our Lord using. Let us use it to the Glory
of God.
Eat, drink, and be friendly. That is how we are to be with each other,
joining together for worship, for Bible study, for prayer, in times of sorrow
and in times of rejoicing. We are
brothers and sisters through Jesus Christ, and we ought to regularly spend time
together in and out of the sanctuary.
If we are to grow as individuals and
the Church, we must engage in regular fellowship and hospitality.
Let us pray:
Almighty God, you have called us to
be one body, brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ, Your sons and
daughters. Help us to love each
other. Help us to show that love to each
other. Stir up a desire in us to be part
of each other’s lives outside of this sanctuary. Let us find ways to support and encourage
each other in our whole lives. And help
us to care for the souls of all people, even enough to share a meal. For it is in Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment