"All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all. There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need. "
Acts 4:32-35
One of my favorite places to eat is Chik-fila. I eat there at least once a week. Not only do they have great waffle fries and unlimited Diet Dr. Pepper (yes I'm over 30 now) ...but no matter what Chik-fila I go to...no matter what city it's in... one thing's for sure... they always have an Ashley that works there and you will always here one phrase..."My pleasure." Everytime you say thank you or I appreciate it...they have to say "My pleasure." It's great ... try it. The reason I bring this up is because they have a reputation. They've made a name for themselves. They've marked their "business lives" in such a way that it sets them apart from the crowd. And I read this verses today in Acts and wonder shouldn't that be the same for the Church today? Shouldn't the Church, the bride of Christ, that which HE died for be so set apart that nothing in this world could even come close to it? Shouldn't the church here in Austin, Texas bear the same "marks" of the church in China, or Uzbekistan or even in rural Alabama?
What a different world it would be if that was the reality of the American church today? But it is not and unfortunately I have to say that it embarrasses me and breaks my heart that I have to qualify "the Church" today by saying the "American church." If you look at the identifiable markers of the early church in Acts and try and find them in our experience today ... we do not even come close! We look nothing like the original! We aren't even a very good imitation of the real thing in scripture! And yet... the Church is what Christ has entrusted with his mission and his message.
Here in Acts 4 what absolutely jumps out to me is this...here was a community of believers who shared all things IN CHRIST and who shared all things BECAUSE of CHRIST! They got it! The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ changed everything about them. Who they were and more importantly it changed how they lived! There lives were lived as living sacrifices ...they were spent for the Glory of our God.
What God would not do if his church were truly united in one heart and one mind & lived to give itself away to those inside and outside the church. What an amazing message for a world that is looking for the words of our mouths to be authenticated with the life that we live. May we as a faith family here at Great Hills rediscover "the Church" in Austin, Texas for the Glory of our God.
Not Ashamed...Bill
One of my favorite places to eat is Chik-fila. I eat there at least once a week. Not only do they have great waffle fries and unlimited Diet Dr. Pepper (yes I'm over 30 now) ...but no matter what Chik-fila I go to...no matter what city it's in... one thing's for sure... they always have an Ashley that works there and you will always here one phrase..."My pleasure." Everytime you say thank you or I appreciate it...they have to say "My pleasure." It's great ... try it. The reason I bring this up is because they have a reputation. They've made a name for themselves. They've marked their "business lives" in such a way that it sets them apart from the crowd. And I read this verses today in Acts and wonder shouldn't that be the same for the Church today? Shouldn't the Church, the bride of Christ, that which HE died for be so set apart that nothing in this world could even come close to it? Shouldn't the church here in Austin, Texas bear the same "marks" of the church in China, or Uzbekistan or even in rural Alabama?
What a different world it would be if that was the reality of the American church today? But it is not and unfortunately I have to say that it embarrasses me and breaks my heart that I have to qualify "the Church" today by saying the "American church." If you look at the identifiable markers of the early church in Acts and try and find them in our experience today ... we do not even come close! We look nothing like the original! We aren't even a very good imitation of the real thing in scripture! And yet... the Church is what Christ has entrusted with his mission and his message.
Here in Acts 4 what absolutely jumps out to me is this...here was a community of believers who shared all things IN CHRIST and who shared all things BECAUSE of CHRIST! They got it! The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ changed everything about them. Who they were and more importantly it changed how they lived! There lives were lived as living sacrifices ...they were spent for the Glory of our God.
What God would not do if his church were truly united in one heart and one mind & lived to give itself away to those inside and outside the church. What an amazing message for a world that is looking for the words of our mouths to be authenticated with the life that we live. May we as a faith family here at Great Hills rediscover "the Church" in Austin, Texas for the Glory of our God.
Not Ashamed...Bill
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