The Devotion Factor [2]

The Devotion Factor [2]

 

We must Become a Church that is an Agency of Compassion

If you go back to Acts 2 you get a glimpse of what the church should be and can be.

Acts 2:42-47 “They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day 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 the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

 Let me break this down:

They were:
Committed
Devoted
Faithful
Loving
Spirit Filled
Community Orientated

This practical application of what the church was can be our biggest factor of success as we love God as a church. My desire for you and our church is that we are successful. That God blesses us and that doesn’t happen magically. It requires each of us and this church “{to Embrace a lifestyle of Devotion to God}” 

That means we are so devoted to God we don’t have to advertise. People will see how we follow and love Christ and just want to be a part of it. We have no reason to believe that Jesus or the early church was involved in compassion to try and draw a crowd. Instead this compassionate response to the culture sprung from a deep well of genuine love for people.

When Jesus was preaching one day he saw the crowd had grown large and it was about time to eat. He had love and compassion on them and asked the disciples what kind of food supplies they have? The disciples said not enough send them home. They disciples had no interest at this point in helping people from Christ's perspective. Jesus looked at them and said let me teach you something valuable. He said give me the food you have, 2 fish and five loaves, he blessed it, and over 4000 people were fed.

What was the lesson?

If you go back to Mat 25:37-40 Jesus is sharing this parable and he says, "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' "The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” 

 

More Tomorrow...

You are Loved!