ACTS 2:42-47 – And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
THEME OF THE DAY: BONDED IN CHRIST’S LOVE. So, how would you describe today’s scripture? Exciting? Full of energy? A happening place to be? Those would all apply as we see the early church alive together. I would add something else describing today’s scripture. It is the practice of the New Commandment – A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another (John 13:34-35). All we envision happening in the early church, the fellowship, prayer, hungering for the Word, meeting each other’s needs, enjoying each other’s togetherness, and seeing the Lord bless such unity of love with real growth through conversion is the clearest model of what it means to love one another and that as a church.
Ever hear of the hymn Blest Be the Tie by John Fawcett, 1740-1817? Maybe sung it a time or two? The first stanza reads Blest be the tie that binds Our hearts in Christian love; The fellowship of kindred minds Is like to that above. The third is equally heart-warming and shows love in action – We share our mutual woes, Our mutual burdens bear; And often for each other flows The sympathizing tear. But what about the history behind the hymn? Its history shows us the power of Christ’s love in a church, its pastor and wife, and the deepening of the bonds in Christ’s love.
In 1765 John Fawcett was called to pastor a very small congregation at Wainsgate, England. He labored there diligently for 7 years, but his salary was so meager that he and his wife could scarcely obtain the necessities of life. Though the people were poor, they compensated for this lack by their faithfulness and warm fellowship. Then Dr. Fawcett received a call from a much larger church in London, and after lengthy consideration decided to accept the invitation. As his few possessions were being placed in a wagon for moving, many of his parishioners came to say good-bye. Once again they pleaded with him to reconsider. Touched by this great outpouring of love, he and his wife began to weep. Finally, Mrs. Fawcett exclaimed, “O John, I just can’t bear this. They need us so badly here.” “God has spoken to my heart, too!” he said. “Tell them to unload the wagon! We cannot break these wonderful ties of fellowship.” This experience inspired Fawcett to write a hymn. “Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love! The fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above.”
May we see the same in our lives and churches!
PRAYER: “Father, help me to love, to love Your people that shows the world the reality of Your Person and Your Son.”
QUOTE: “The greatest of these is love. Remember that in our Christian life. Nothing is more important. Nothing.”
In the affection of Christ Jesus,
Pastor Jim