Sermon One
Sermon Two

On Sunday morning 15 August Michael Lazarus preached  at a combined service at the parish of the Ascension.

Taking as his text Acts chapter 2 verses 37 to 47, he noted that, as you read through the book of Acts, it is interesting that when you look at the characteristics of the early church they are reflected in the factors or quality characteristics that Natural Church Development has identified as representing a healthy church:

Empowering Leadership, Gift-Oriented Ministries, Passionate Spirituality, Effective Structures, Inspiring Worship, Holistic Small Groups, Need-Oriented Evangelism and Loving Relationships.

He then read from Acts chapter 6 verses 1 to 4 where he noted very strong evidence for both Empowering Leadership, Gift Oriented Ministry and Effective or Functional Structures in the way that they ordered their priorities..

Looking also again at Acts chapter 2 verses 42 to 47 he noted the presence in the early church of Passionate Spirituality, Inspiring Worship,  Holistic Small Groups, Need-Oriented Evangelism and Loving Relationships.

This was very much an evangelistic church. They knew exactly how to help someone become a Christian; they looked for ways of telling others about Jesus and challenging them to become Christians. They knew that Jesus wanted them to make disciples and they did it!

It was also a learning church (verse 42). The people knew that they had to learn about the teachings of Jesus and how they could implement those teachings in their everyday life. Learning wasn't an optional extra but everyone was expected to grow in their faith and that had to make time for their learning.

It was a church or fellowship. The people spent time with each other. It wasn't just a fleeting Hello how are you? They ate meals together; they got to know each other over a table.

It was a praying church. The early Christians knew that they could not meet life in their own strength and that they did not need to. They always went into God before they went out to the world; they were able to meet the problems of life because they had first met with God. Community and individual prayer were an integral part of their life.

It was a reverent church where God was doing things. Awe came upon everyone because many signs and wonders were being done by the apostles. The early Christians saw signs and wonders they saw the power of God at work in their lives. If we expect great things from God and attempt great things for God, as William Carey said, things will happen. More things would happen if we believe that we could work together with God.

It was also a sharing church verses 44 & 45. The early Christians had an intense feeling of responsibility for each other. They didn’t just pray for one another; they actually helped each other.

It was also a worshiping church (v 46). They never forgot to visit God's house. We must remember that “God knows nothing of solitary religion”. Things can happen when we come together. God's Spirit moves upon his worshiping people. Worshiping together was seen as a first priority and not something you did if you had time.

It was also a happy church. They broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts Luke tells us. The early Christians enjoyed life. They were not gloomy or sombre but vibrant and alive. This is the one reason why people were and still are attracted to Christianity. The big lie that is often portrayed in films today is that Christians are boring!

This early church was a blessing to the outside community. Verse 47 of Acts 2 tells us that they praised God and enjoyed the good will of all the people. The Christians were not isolated from the community but lived out their faith in their everyday life. The community recognized the positive effect that the church was having on the wider community. 

It was also a growing church. The last verse of our reading today tells us that “day by day the Lord added to their number of those who were being saved”. This growth came not because of fancy programs but as a result of the Christians being serious about their faith. As a result God was leading people to them and the people were staying and growing in their faith. God is not going to bring people to a church where new Christians cannot grow. Whilst we may want to dismiss this as too idealistic, I believe that it is a pattern that will help us to be the body of Christ here in 2010. We will never be the perfect church (remember what Billy Graham said about the perfect church: if you find one don't join it, because you will spoil it!”)

So this is the challenge for us today in 2010: we need to grow a healthy church, which the Lord will then cause to grow. We need to be asking ourselves: how can I contribute to making the church a healthy church? Unless the Lord brings a revival then the church will die. We are not a religious club but rather a hospital where sick people help other sick people to find wholeness.