Talking with people, near and far, they want to know about the Bible, they want to know more about God, but they have had it with 'the Church'.
Today, we look at all three--the Bible, God and the Church. I am not sure there could be a more relevant topic, convinced I am that we get this right and then act on it.
I take you back to first century Jerusalem, to what we call the 'early church'.
Why was this community so unique?
Why were their numbers growing exponentially?
Why did people keep going back?
What do we know about them?
Well, we got our first glimpse of the unique group in Acts chapter 2, where Luke noted several things about them:
--they were hungry for teaching about Jesus, and kept Him central to who they were
--they were in awe of the Holy Spirit's work--miracles done in their midst
--they gathered regularly at the temple, they praised God
--they met in homes, ate together, shared their belongings, and prayed1
When I was in high school, a favorite band of mine was "Second Chapter of Acts" - no kidding, that was the name of the band, known for rich lyrics and beautiful harmonies. But why the strange name? Because people have always been attracted to the happenings recorded in that powerful chapter--especially the group that formed.
In our heart of hearts,
if we know that such a community like this exists,
we clamor for belonging in that group.
Moving on, Luke records the events that continue there in Jerusalem. Word gets out about the formerly-disabled man who is out walking and running and dancing! The heat is being turned up - those in charge wanting to silence the crazy Jewish Christians shouting the name of Jesus. How does this affect the gathering? Seems to make them more desirous to be together.
As Peter and John get back with their folks, tell them what they have experienced, prayer erupts from their hearts, and God makes his presence known by literally jolting the building, empowering them to continue speaking His word confidently.
Turns out both the proclamation of the one true God, his great love in sending the Son, is attractive... and one more thing - it fosters a community of love. Take a look at the latest news from the Jerusalem group of believers:
And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul;
and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own,
but all things were common property to them.
And with great power the apostles were giving testimony
to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus,
and abundant grace was upon them all.2
As though we could peer over a living model of that group of people, let's lean in. Why is this group of people so vital, so alive? Why are they flourishing?
The answer lies in their subject matter - Jesus Christ, specifically the resurrection. In case it has become 'yesterday's news' for you, we do well to remember. At the heart of the Christian movement, is a love that none has ever known. That love is revolutionary.
Let's turn back the page to John's gospel, chapter 3, when the Jewish leader, whose life was dictated by keeping the Law, Nicodemus, comes at night to encounter Jesus firsthand. He leaves convinced that Jesus is the promised Messiah. We know that because he is nearby when Jesus is crucified, then physically helps prepare the Lord's body for burial.3 Why? Love rather than laws. The love of God compels us.
Because Jesus does not stay in that borrowed tomb, but rises again, many of those present in Jerusalem, in this very group of people, can tell of their experience seeing him.
Eye witness testimony is the best kind of evidence there is!
These people will not stop talking about Jesus--
how his love, mercy and grace has radically changed their lives!
When we experience love such as this we naturally want to share it. We want others to have the peace within that we know, we want them to live free from their guilt of wrongs done, their shame of ills committed. We want them to grow and flourish in all that life in Christ brings. And we want to gather with others who 'get it', don't want it to be 'yesterday's news', but live in it daily! We want to thrive in the love of God.
Again, imagine these first century folks whose only way to God is through keeping 613 points of law, and still their 'righteousness' was not good enough . . . imagine on top of that, they are living under the oppression of Rome. And along comes Jesus.
Jesus loves them freely and his greatest command is simply to love him back--with all they had. Oh and one more thing: love others.
Friend, hear me now.
To be a Christ follower or a Christian, you do not have to go to church.
Sure, Scripture says 'don't give up meeting together, but rather encourage one another'4, but you can still have a relationship with God without gathering with others to worship him. But why would you deprive yourself? Why, that is tantamount to walking right by a healthy meal while you are suffering from hunger pangs!
If you live in a place where you are free to go to church, gather with other believers and worship God, you are missing out if you don't do it. To use the other analogy, you do not even know how hungry you are or how satisfying the meal that you are neglecting.
Second to worshipping God together is participating in a smaller community of like-minded people with whom you meet and talk and pray. Paul said 'encourage one another, build each other up.'5Again, you are not punished by God if you do not gather with such a group, but you rather deprive yourself of one of life's greatest joys.
Those early believers kept coming back because they encountered the love of God, and that love birthed love for one another and caring about each others' needs, which gave life to generosity and growth.
The community of God, okay call it 'The Church', where the people of God gather . . .
Find one, show up regularly, participate, give of yourself and you too will know love like you've never known--you'll keep going back.
Why it is so vital! (July 18, 2025)
by Christine
Jul 22
Listen along here: https://www.pastorwoman.net/podcast/episode/19d34850/why-it-is-so-vital-acts-no-17
Scripture is rich.
Talking with people, near and far, they want to know about the Bible, they want to know more about God, but they have had it with 'the Church'.
Today, we look at all three--the Bible, God and the Church. I am not sure there could be a more relevant topic, convinced I am that we get this right and then act on it.
I take you back to first century Jerusalem, to what we call the 'early church'.
Why was this community so unique?
Why were their numbers growing exponentially?
Why did people keep going back?
What do we know about them?
Well, we got our first glimpse of the unique group in Acts chapter 2, where Luke noted several things about them:
--they were hungry for teaching about Jesus, and kept Him central to who they were
--they were in awe of the Holy Spirit's work--miracles done in their midst
--they gathered regularly at the temple, they praised God
--they met in homes, ate together, shared their belongings, and prayed1
When I was in high school, a favorite band of mine was "Second Chapter of Acts" - no kidding, that was the name of the band, known for rich lyrics and beautiful harmonies. But why the strange name? Because people have always been attracted to the happenings recorded in that powerful chapter--especially the group that formed.
In our heart of hearts,
if we know that such a community like this exists,
we clamor for belonging in that group.
Moving on, Luke records the events that continue there in Jerusalem. Word gets out about the formerly-disabled man who is out walking and running and dancing! The heat is being turned up - those in charge wanting to silence the crazy Jewish Christians shouting the name of Jesus. How does this affect the gathering? Seems to make them more desirous to be together.
As Peter and John get back with their folks, tell them what they have experienced, prayer erupts from their hearts, and God makes his presence known by literally jolting the building, empowering them to continue speaking His word confidently.
Turns out both the proclamation of the one true God, his great love in sending the Son, is attractive... and one more thing - it fosters a community of love. Take a look at the latest news from the Jerusalem group of believers:
And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul;
and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own,
but all things were common property to them.
And with great power the apostles were giving testimony
to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus,
and abundant grace was upon them all.2
As though we could peer over a living model of that group of people, let's lean in. Why is this group of people so vital, so alive? Why are they flourishing?
The answer lies in their subject matter - Jesus Christ, specifically the resurrection. In case it has become 'yesterday's news' for you, we do well to remember. At the heart of the Christian movement, is a love that none has ever known. That love is revolutionary.
Let's turn back the page to John's gospel, chapter 3, when the Jewish leader, whose life was dictated by keeping the Law, Nicodemus, comes at night to encounter Jesus firsthand. He leaves convinced that Jesus is the promised Messiah. We know that because he is nearby when Jesus is crucified, then physically helps prepare the Lord's body for burial.3 Why? Love rather than laws. The love of God compels us.
Because Jesus does not stay in that borrowed tomb, but rises again, many of those present in Jerusalem, in this very group of people, can tell of their experience seeing him.
Eye witness testimony is the best kind of evidence there is!
These people will not stop talking about Jesus--
how his love, mercy and grace has radically changed their lives!
When we experience love such as this we naturally want to share it. We want others to have the peace within that we know, we want them to live free from their guilt of wrongs done, their shame of ills committed. We want them to grow and flourish in all that life in Christ brings. And we want to gather with others who 'get it', don't want it to be 'yesterday's news', but live in it daily! We want to thrive in the love of God.
Again, imagine these first century folks whose only way to God is through keeping 613 points of law, and still their 'righteousness' was not good enough . . . imagine on top of that, they are living under the oppression of Rome. And along comes Jesus.
Jesus loves them freely and his greatest command is simply to love him back--with all they had. Oh and one more thing: love others.
Friend, hear me now.
To be a Christ follower or a Christian, you do not have to go to church.
Sure, Scripture says 'don't give up meeting together, but rather encourage one another'4, but you can still have a relationship with God without gathering with others to worship him. But why would you deprive yourself? Why, that is tantamount to walking right by a healthy meal while you are suffering from hunger pangs!
If you live in a place where you are free to go to church, gather with other believers and worship God, you are missing out if you don't do it. To use the other analogy, you do not even know how hungry you are or how satisfying the meal that you are neglecting.
Second to worshipping God together is participating in a smaller community of like-minded people with whom you meet and talk and pray. Paul said 'encourage one another, build each other up.'5 Again, you are not punished by God if you do not gather with such a group, but you rather deprive yourself of one of life's greatest joys.
Those early believers kept coming back because they encountered the love of God, and that love birthed love for one another and caring about each others' needs, which gave life to generosity and growth.
The community of God, okay call it 'The Church', where the people of God gather . . .
Find one, show up regularly, participate, give of yourself and you too will know love like you've never known--you'll keep going back.
Just found this song! Let the Church Sing:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKCUNHWamnQ&list=RDdKCUNHWamnQ&start_radio=1
Find your people.
Christine - PastorWoman.net
Acts, no.17
1 - Acts 2.42-47
2 - Acts 4.32-33
3 - John 19.39-42
4 - Hebrews 10.25
5 - 1 Thessalonians 5.11