| For many years I thought that the highlight of the | | | | - "devoted" to the teachings in the Scriptures, reading |
| Christian week was the main sermon preached on a | | | | them daily to grow closer in their relationship with |
| Sunday to the assembled faithful. The problem is that | | | | their God and Maker (Act 2:42). |
| to most people it probably is because it is the only | | | | - Focused on "fellowship" and spending a lot of time |
| slice of spiritual information and teaching that they will | | | | with each other (Act 2:42). |
| experience that week. This is where the crunch | | | | - Participating in the death, burial and resurrection of |
| comes. What do we do with that sermon? It has | | | | Jesus as we remember Him during regular communion |
| been carefully prepared over a period of time, usually | | | | when we all take part in the "breaking of bread" (Act |
| by a member of staff and delivered in a professional | | | | 2:42). |
| way for the greatest impact. Then what? Can it be | | | | - Having daily "prayer" time as we reconnect with the |
| considered like having a bath? A quick Sunday | | | | spiritual, worshiping, thanking, pleading and focusing |
| morning shower with water and soap in preparation | | | | our daily attention on what is really important in life |
| for a dirty week. This however implies that while the | | | | (Act 2:42). |
| water is coming out that there is some type of | | | | - Eager to help each other to the point where they |
| action on our part as we remove our clothes, apply | | | | are "selling their possessions and goods" because their |
| soap, scrub, wash it off and so on. For many of us I | | | | focus is less on the material (Act 2:45). |
| fear that all that happens is that we stand under the | | | | - Getting together "every day" because each one |
| shower head, get wet and then go home. By the | | | | knew that without constant contact their faith would |
| time we reach the house, we are almost dry and we | | | | wane and their focus would wander off (Act 2:46). |
| just keep going about our normal rituals, AS IF | | | | - Their spiritual eyes were clear because they were |
| NOTHING HAPPENED. | | | | "praising God" and their way of life and attitude |
| So what should have happened? Well, truthfully, | | | | towards each other was attracting the unconverted |
| physically not much more. We should all get together, | | | | and so "the Lord added to their numbers daily" (Act |
| sing together, worship together, fellowship together | | | | 2:47). |
| and be generally super encouraged by the vibe, the | | | | - "Devoted" to one another, desiring to "honour" one |
| people, the message and just knowing that we are | | | | another (Rom 12:10). |
| all part of a great big family. The difference is in the | | | | - Living in "harmony with one another" we go out of |
| heart. Christianity has never been a once a week | | | | our way to sort out issues in ways that honour and |
| ritual yet in many denominations it has become just | | | | glorify God. |
| that. Christianity is a 24/7 way of life. You are aware | | | | The list is infinitely long but the point is that as |
| of God and His saving grace every moment of every | | | | Christians, the weekly sermon is just a fraction of |
| day and His powerful Presence is what helps us | | | | our spiritual week. It is exciting because we get to |
| through the "narrow gate" of the hundreds of | | | | worship together but for the rest of the time we |
| decisions that we need to make ever day that | | | | worship God apart. The point is that God worship |
| defines who we are. So who are we? | | | | never stops. |
| Christians are: | | | | |