Monday, November 14, 2011

Extravagant Love in Community


42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. 43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders.44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had.45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need.46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosityActs 2 v 42 – 46

On Sunday I had the privilege of continuing the teaching series UPGRADE at MKCC. My topic Loved People Love People.

In my studies I was fascinated by the expression of community that is described in the early church following their encounter with the gospel.

What an incredible picture of explosive love. The NLT has a heading over those verses that says “The New Believers Formed a community”. Now the headings are not inspired by God. But what I do know is that the natural expression of salvation by Jesus is community.

Luke chooses to mention leadership, teaching, prayer & even miracles but what he repeats over and over again are expressions of community.

Often we seem to elevate miracles to the zenith of christian life and experience but they are easy for God. What I think excites God is that one of his creation is so in love with Him that he would choose community over selfishness. That they would choose to sell up EVERYTHING they had and because of a love for Jesus give it all to the poor.

It would seem that the queue for the miraculous is always popular but the line for extravagant, unselfish, radical even crazy acts of love for the community does not have a long wait time.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi, I have just visited your site and the info you have covered has been of great interest to me.

life just saying said...

Your blog title is captivating. Do you still live in Scotland? Wasn't Milton Keynes an economic figure/teacher/leader? Will be checking out more of your posts.

Billy Ritchie said...

No live in Milton Keynes England now. Here is a link to the background of Milton Keynes http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middleton_%28Milton_Keynes_Village%29

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