"With Arms Wide Open"
Dean AngellOctober 27/28, 2001
Authentic community. What do these 2 words mean to you? Think of words that describe this to you.relationships, caring, loving, trust, integrity, honesty, learning, communication, familiarity.
I grew up in small town Saskatchewan and got a look at significant parts of community. It was the basis for how we lived. There was lots of trust. Handshake deals were normal. You could leave your kids in the car or with the clerk while you shopped for groceries. People knew your name. People would just drop in for super - it wasn't not at all formal. Familiarity - that was a given. Communication was very good and very fast - not always clear - but fast. New families were welcomed with open arms. Meals were brought to them and people dropped in to say hi. When I was 10 years old there was a snow storm that was so bad that the buses couldn't take us home. So we just got billeted out. There was no fear of inconvenience or safety or where or who or how.
Today I want to talk about community. We've got three doors up on stage today, and each one of them will lead us into a different aspect of community.
Door #1 leads to
1. A Maturing Community
Acts 2:42 says that this new first century faith community "devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." (Again, this being the model for how a healthy, vibrant and growing faith community functions.) Let me separate a couple things out and we'll get to the others in a moment..They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to prayer. Now - if you have been in the church more than a year or two, those words will be triggers for you..and may even cause some guilt in your life. They are words..that as Christ followers - they kinda mess with us..because we have been taught over and over again that when it comes to teaching and prayer, more is better with God..and if we just got up one hour earlier and prayed and if we just got one more class done and checked off we'd be fine spiritually...and if you don't - then comes guilt...Folks, that's not correct, and I don't think that's where this description of the early church is going. To me, these verses from Acts 2:42-47 talk about a desire - a hunger....and that hunger is what created this amazing community.
The key word of this whole passage is not focused on what they did - it's focused on what their hearts were like - devoted....They devoted themselves...to teaching and prayer. Well...let's dig in a little deeper..
This was primarily a Jewish community that had found Jesus...and their lives had been changed....by the power of God...But they were of Jewish background...So there was a few common characteristics among them - they were used to meeting together - good Jews did that. They were also used to sitting under teaching from a few Rabbis who knew their stuff...and they were used to prayer - alone and as a community. Good Jews did that too...But what they weren't used to as good Jews in that day was the power of the Holy Spirit of God in their lives. They hadn't ever felt a sense of God's presence like this...in the teaching and in the prayer times....and what it created was a sense of awe and a desire for more.....
See folks, once you've had a taste of the power of God - spoken into your life....then a desire for more will follow. "Taste and see that the Lord is good." (Psalm 34:8).
So they devoted themselves to prayer and teaching. But how did that build that faith community? Well, I think it's kinda simple - I mean, you gotta look at the outcome of that - what happens when a group of people devote themselves to teaching. See, when people like you and me come to learn about God through someone else (which is all spiritual teaching is....not necessarily a classroom setting - small group, coffee, church) a couple things are going on.....Our hearts are humble and we desire to apply the Word of God to our lives.....I'm convinced that when these 2 things line up....When we really have a humble, teachable spirit - before we go to learn - and then when we ask God to open up our minds to what He would say to us....to help us not only learn but be able to apply what we learn - that God would help us change our lives (our actions) - to live in line with the teaching of His Word.....
Example - me in L.A. Jack H. - great teacher. But first night I struggled. I left thinking that this trip - Jack - worship - was all pretty lame (guy that kept hugging me) - shouldn't have come....But you know what? My inability to learn and worship and apply had nothing to do with my circumstances.....it had to do with me. I had an attitude or two that held me back....I wanted a certain style of worship music or I couldn't worship. I wanted a certain type of person to learn with or I couldn't learn..and I wanted a certain style of teaching.....and then I could learn. Well - I needed to be more humble,... and you know....God has a way of doing that in our lives right when we need it....and He did that to me...that first night. And guess what. The next day I soaked up more worship and teaching and life change than I could handle.....Went from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and I wanted more...AMAZING what God can do with a humble heart and a desire to conform our lives to the Truth of His Word.
Acts 2:42 says they also devoted themselves to prayer. How come? Why was this such a big priority and how did prayer together help to create this amazing faith community? A couple thoughts...
When followers of Jesus Christ pray together there is a spiritual authenticity and clarity that is created that cannot be duplicated...Let me describe this with 2 words..1) unity and 2) direction.
This past weekend at Leadership Retreat in Waskesiu several wonderful and significant things happened within the leadership of this church...By far the biggest was unity.....People, God desires unity for His church and very simply put - these have been hard days to be unified...Our church has significant challenges to overcome because of the numerical growth we have experienced in these past years.....And it hasn't been real clear how we together, will solve facility or financial or personnel or administrative challenges that put stress on a growing congregation....
So this weekend - mostly through humility and prayer - God brought the leadership of this church to a place of unity (not a place where they know all the answers) but to a place of relational accord and oneness - to a place where humility and love are the focal points...and that mostly happened - because of prayer.
See, when you pray together you can't help but let down your guard - you can't help but see God in one another instead of whatever else you saw before. And you can't help but love one another because God is there with you and God is love....Unity is clearly an outcome of prayer.
Here's the second word prayer brings - Direction - the other thing God does when we pray is provide answers...to our needs...and when the church comes to Him in unity asking for His direction - He will give it! Psalm 16:11 says this "You have made known to me the paths of life.." Proverbs 3:6 - "In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight." ...and that's what God has begun to do this past weekend in our leadership - He has begun to show us His pathway...and through prayer and faith He will lead us on...and give us victory and success as a church - there's no question about it.
Folks, very simply put - prayer changes everything - Individually - if you've got challenges - got a problem that needs solving - got an emotional, physical, or spiritual need - pray - and call others to pray for you and with you....and that need will be met. And as a church, prayer must become a greater focus. If you've been feeling off course with this church/God/others in the church...prayer is the answer. Been feeling unexcited about your involvement here? Pray.
Here's what Jesus said...My house (temple - the church) shall be called a house of prayer..Jesus knew.
Prayer changes everything.
Now, I'm a practical guy. How do I make this practical? Work with me - Huge step for us as a church...I'm taking a risk and I need you to risk with me - uncomfortable as a church - OK? We're gonna pray together and for one another....real simple - gather in groups of 4 or 5 - share a simple request or pass. Hold hands. Pray - out loud or silently. No pressure. Pray for one another together - as the community. People - God brings unity and direction when we pray together. Leaders - this would be a great time to lead..step out into other groups.
Pray
God - help us to become a community that hungers for Your leading and unity and the teaching of Your Word.
Door #2 leads into
2. A Caring Community
Listen to Acts 2 again...
"They devoted themselves to fellowship...All the believers were together and had everything in common - selling their possessions and goods - they gave to anyone as he had need - Every day they met together and ate together with glad and sincere hearts."
Folks, these people really loved each other - and they liked each other too...They enjoyed doing church stuff together - but also they enjoyed doing life stuff together...The were devoted...devoted to fellowship - to sharing life together following God.....
They were intentional about it - they opened up their homes one to another - they invited people in for meals.....They cared for the poor....and they treated everyone as equals..all brothers and sisters - those who happened to have some money and possessions gave to those that didn't - no hierarchy - no classes - There was rich and poor for sure - but riches were used to help others...not hoarded for personal gain - (amazing shift in a culture that only God can bring - but it would change the world.if we saw our money as an ability to help others).
Now, we've talked a lot about our care ministry this fall and that will not stop....Reaching out to the poor is what will drive us as a church in years to come....But Acts 2 is also about simply caring for one another in the church as well - meaning whoever is already here...whoever is now part of this faith community.....and we at Lakeview have significant challenges here....
See, as we have grown in numbers, there's been a sense that we can't get to know everybody - so why try? And that's kinda true...but that can also create a big and pretty cold church...Just ask someone who's new here how hard it is to get to know people...or even meet people - and how lost they sometimes feel in the crowds..The answer you'll get will kinda sting a bit....and it's a ways from the relational warmth described in Acts 2....So what can we do? (Let's start very small).
Action begins with realization....We must first see how we act now and what must then change..See, as the church has grown...our innate human desire is to be in relationship - so we look immediately for someone we know and we engage in conversation...As we do this we exclude others - now we don't mean to - but it happens....And so does isolation and aloneness and lack of community.
We must be intentional about relationship building. For anyone who has been here longer than one month, you're on our welcome team. Look for opportunities to get to know people. Raise your eyes to see people. Help them. Be assertive - go to them and buy them a coffee.
Be intentional about expressing love - relational warmth, physical touch - stretch your comfort zone. I'm a pretty huggy guy - why? Because I get a lot of hugs and I know how good they feel and how they encourage me. Kaden is 4 years old and he runs and hugs me every night. He asks for kisses and hugs. He needs hugs. So do I. So do you.church is all about this....Dean - feeling lost and alone in leadership. A hug made all the difference. I knew it would be OK...
Need your help....idea - might be lame....I don't know if it will work or not. 3 minute rule - for every one who has been here longer than 1 month...For 3 minutes - not allowed to talk to anyone you know.
Take 3 minutes to meet new people. Walk with them to get their kids. Find out their story.....
Door #3 leads into
3. A Finding Community - A community where spiritually seeking people get found by God...
Acts 2:47 - "The Lord added to their community daily those who were being saved...."
So this whole description of what this community was like....ends with those words...
Now...in a bit of a new way this week I saw this with a fresh set of eyes....or I felt it like I hadn't for a long time....
See, last weekend - Waskesiu - was a rich time. We were connected - spiritually. Connected relationally - emotionally. Everyone - from 23 years old to 80 years old. One of the most profound moments of community was when Lloyd Colborne (80 years old) spoke about his reliance on God and about how much He loved the church. Huge connection. No barriers. Love and acceptance and joy and grace and patience and time and relationship building..and God was there with us....and everyone felt that.
And you know what? That is a contagious environment - It's a drawing place... See, I believe that when the church is what it is supposed to be - a loving, caring, spiritually authentic community - that all people will be drawn there - why? Because God is there. As human beings we are created in the image of God - He is our Creator....and when we don't follow His pathway in our life - a void (picture - searching?) gets created in the center of our souls that only He can fill.
And I believe all humans are on a quest to fill that void.....Some know it - some don't. But everyone tries to fill it - with money/sex/power/ or things that cause addictions....but all of those are a search to fill a void that can only be filled by God....So when seeking people are looking for God..The place God has designed for them to come - is the church - His church. And when the church is working - when the people of God are acting like God in the way they live...When they are caring and serving and loving and spiritually passionate and relationally strong....and unified in purpose and vision.....Then it just makes sense for people to be drawn to God...Because God is there in the church - powerfully.
Normal motto - finding, maturing, caring...Sounds good..but in actuality it should be maturing, caring, and then finding.
Listen to this - Jesus said "Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. And now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand - shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven." (Matthew 5 - The Message)
Folks - the call of God on His church is to be a light on a hill - to be a beacon - a lighthouse - that shines hope and love and a chance at authentic community to a world that is desperately seeking to fill the void.
These 3 doors - maturing, caring and finding..lead us into the House of God called Lakeview Church. When we open those doors they lead us into a church set aside as a house of prayer; a church set apart as a resource centre for caring; and a church set apart as a lighthouse for all who are searching.
That's the church God is building here - an authentic community of Christ followers - a prevailing church. A world-changing church. A church that God has brought you to be part of - you are the church. You are here at this time, in this place, for a reason. People, be community to one another. Be Jesus to one another. Listen for His voice and then follow closely and we will sense His presence and glory and power.
