Where God's Blessing Lives
This is our calling... to love one another. Christianity is first and foremost a relational faith. Our relationship with God is made right by faith in Christ, and the implications of which lead to right relationships with one another.
What does God want for His family? He wants us to get along!
Psalm 133:1–3 (ESV) Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! 2 It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! 3 It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.
We are in the midst of the ascent Psalms, the songs sung by Israel as they came to Jerusalem to celebrate one of the national feasts. This Psalm would have been sung when they finally met together in the Temple. It was a reminder that though they came from different tribes and walks of life - they all had a bond of brotherhood in their blood.
This is the picture of unity is represented by the oil of anointing on the high priest, ready for service. The picture of unity is that of a lush mountain blooming and flourishing. If you want to be part of a flourishing church, love one another!
The world is not going to be attracted by our restrictions or piety. The world will not be attracted by our self-denial for self-denial's sake. The world will be attracted to a people who genuinely love and care for each other.
What does it say about the Early Church?
Acts 2:44–47 (ESV) And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
There's a lot of argument in the church about the beginning of Acts 2. Do we speak in tongues today or not? Is this a once for all time event or does it repeat? Is there a secondary baptism in the Spirit subsequent to salvation? All arguments that divide the Church and make us think we're smarter than others.
But why don't we examine the end of Acts 2? What about having all THINGS in common? What about sharing possessions with those in need? What about coming together in spite of our differences to worship Christ and share in communion? What about praising God because of Who He is instead of how we feel?
Perhaps if we focused on that, we'd receive the promise of Verse 47 - the Lord adding daily.
When we come together, God blesses.
What else could we want?
What does God want for His family? He wants us to get along!
Psalm 133:1–3 (ESV) Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! 2 It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! 3 It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.
We are in the midst of the ascent Psalms, the songs sung by Israel as they came to Jerusalem to celebrate one of the national feasts. This Psalm would have been sung when they finally met together in the Temple. It was a reminder that though they came from different tribes and walks of life - they all had a bond of brotherhood in their blood.
This is the picture of unity is represented by the oil of anointing on the high priest, ready for service. The picture of unity is that of a lush mountain blooming and flourishing. If you want to be part of a flourishing church, love one another!
The world is not going to be attracted by our restrictions or piety. The world will not be attracted by our self-denial for self-denial's sake. The world will be attracted to a people who genuinely love and care for each other.
What does it say about the Early Church?
Acts 2:44–47 (ESV) And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
There's a lot of argument in the church about the beginning of Acts 2. Do we speak in tongues today or not? Is this a once for all time event or does it repeat? Is there a secondary baptism in the Spirit subsequent to salvation? All arguments that divide the Church and make us think we're smarter than others.
But why don't we examine the end of Acts 2? What about having all THINGS in common? What about sharing possessions with those in need? What about coming together in spite of our differences to worship Christ and share in communion? What about praising God because of Who He is instead of how we feel?
Perhaps if we focused on that, we'd receive the promise of Verse 47 - the Lord adding daily.
When we come together, God blesses.
What else could we want?
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