FIREPROOFING YOUR BRETHREN

FIREPROOFING OUR CONGREGATION
“NEVER LEAVE YOUR BRETHREN BEHIND”
(ACTS 2: 42-47)

Intro:
A minister by the name of James Thompson once stated, “I’m not afraid of anything that the world can do to us. What I’m more fearful of is what we can do to ourselves.” If we are strong inside, then nothing that the world can do will hold us back from accomplishing the task which God has given us.
However, how many times do we see it? A faithful church, a loving church, a working church divided by the problems which they are experiencing on the inside. We frequently speak of the laws and regulations which are impeding upon our worship, but seldom do we mention the strife which exists among our number. Instead, we bury our heads in the sand, and wait until our fellowship is broken to acknowledge the pink elephant in the room which our problems have become.
This morning, we come to the third lesson in our homecoming series. You will recall that our over-all theme is, “Fireproofing our Congregation.” Along those lines, Brother John and I have suggested to you that we need to remember to never leave behind our marriage or our children if we are to be successful in this attempt to withstand the issues which we face. Today, I want to continue in this same vain by encouraging you to, “Never Leave Your Brethren Behind.”
I want to begin this lesson with a little honesty. I’m afraid that we have missed the true meaning of the word which our Bibles translate as fellowship. The Greek word “koinwonia” means more than a party, or dinner, or 10 to 15 minutes of talking before or after services. Literally, this word carries with it the idea of intimacy, or a collection, or a group working together.
Folks, I want to stress to you like never before the need to continue in fellowship. I want to encourage you to follow the word of the Lord when it instructs us in Hebrews 13: 1 to: “Let brotherly love continue.”
I want to invite you to join me as we consider what it is that we need to do if we are to avoid leaving our brethren behind. In order to reach our goal, I want us to consider the First Century Church. Let’s look at that Church found in Acts 2: 42-47. Let’s examine what they did to fireproof the Church in its early days.

I. NEVER LEAVE YOUR BRETHREN BEHIND IN FAITH

1. Notice carefully what it says in Acts 2: 42.
A. Acts 2: 42 “And they continued steadfastly in the Apostles Doctrine.”
B. The recorder of these early days wants us to see the commitment which the church had to following the words which the apostles had given to them.
C. Understand that this was not the doctrine designed by the apostles, rather it was the doctrine reported by the apostles.
2. There are two things which we want to see if we are to remain united with our brethren in respect to the word of the Lord.
A. Acts 2: 42 we see the procedure for staying together.
B. Acts 2: 43 we see what is produced by staying together.
3. First, notice what procedure they followed in order to stay together.
A. Acts 2: 42 “And they continued steadfastly.”
B. This indicates to me that they took an active roll in the work and word of the Lord.
C. Phil 2: 1 as Paul stated, they were of the same mind in the fellowship of the Spirit.
D. Now, the only way that you can follow this procedure is by continuing to show up and observe and participate in this “apostle’s doctrine.”
4. However, if we are to learn to never leave our brethren behind in faith, then we should also see what is produced when we remain together.
A. Acts 2: 43 “And fear came upon every soul.”
B. Please, once and for all, let’s make sure we understand what it is that this phrase is telling us.
C. They were not afraid because of the signs and wonders done by the apostles, rather they developed a healthy fear of the Lord because of their growth in the Church.
D. Psalms 19: 9 as David told us, fear of the Lord isn’t a dark and gloomy process, but it is clean and ever enduring!

II. NEVER LEAVE YOUR BRETHREN BEHIND IN FELLOWSHIP

1. As stated in the introduction, we have lost touch with the true meaning of this word.
A. Folks, it doesn’t just mean that you come to know these men and women setting around you in a surface manor.
B. This word carries with it the idea of deep, intimate, connecting relationships.
2. Look at the early Church, and the fellowship they enjoyed.
A. Acts 2: 44 they were together and had all things common.
B. Acts 2: 45 they reached out and met the needs of the brethren, even if it meant personal sacrifice.
C. Acts 2: 46 this togetherness, this sharing, this sacrifice produced not anger, but gladness!
3. What about you and me?
A. Phil 2: 5 Paul encourages us by the inspiration of God to, “Have this mind in you which was also in Christ Jesus.”
B. Mark 4: 1 even when it meant more work for him, Christ sought fellowship!
C. Mark 3: 31-35 even when it meant personal sacrifice, Christ sought fellowship!
D. 1Thess 4: 9 let us follow the teachings of God, and love one another in true fellowship.

III. NEVER LEAVE YOUR BRETHREN BEHIND IN FOCUS

1. Again, notice carefully what it was that they continued steadfastly in.
A. Acts 2: 42 “in breaking of bread.”
B. They did just what Christ had commanded on the night he was arrested, and continued to remember his death by partaking of the Lord’s Supper.
2. What does this have to do with focus?
A. 1Cor 11: 24 Christ himself said: “Do this in remembrance of me.”
B. Christ is to be the focus of the Lord’s Supper, in fact he is to be the focus of all that we do and say!
C. That early Church reminded themselves of this central fact through their continuing efforts.
3. The message remains for us today.
A. Yes, we partake of the Lord’s Supper each Lord’s day.
B. However, we should not lose sight of the fact that Christ is to be at the center of everything.
C. Phil 2: 2 let us be of one love, and one accord, and of one mind when it comes to serving God!
D. Acts 2: 46 if we too have this singleness of heart, we will not leave our brethren behind!

IV. NEVER LEAVE YOUR BRETHREN BEHIND IN FORBEARANCE

1. Finally, we are told that those first century Christians continued steadfastly in prayer.
A. Acts 2: 45 it is very apparent from this passage that they cared about the needs of their brothers and sisters.
B. They met the physical needs of the brethren, but they also took time to pray for one another.
2. Often this is one of the things which we overlook.
A. Gal 6: 2 Paul says that we are to bear one another’s burdens, and we automatically assume that this means that we need to “DO” something.
B. If marriage has taught me anything, it is that sometimes there isn’t anything you can do, and that by not trying, but simply praying or listening, you are doing the best thing anyway.
C. The most beautiful thing that you can tell a brother or sister in Christ is, “I’m praying for you.”