COMMUNITY | PASTOR MATT ERIKSON

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Building True Community: Lessons from the Early Church
In Acts chapter 2, we witness something remarkable - the formation of the local church. This wasn't just a random gathering of people; it was God's divine plan from the beginning. The chapter shows us a powerful sequence: the Holy Spirit is released, a crowd gathers, and then community forms.


When the Holy Spirit moves, things happen organically at first - it's beautiful and exciting. But for sustainable growth, there must be a shift from organic to organized. This is how the early church developed, and it's how healthy churches still grow today.


What Does Biblical Community Really Mean?
Community can be defined as "a group of people having a particular characteristic in common." For Christians, our common characteristic is our love for Jesus and our response to the gospel. While the world pushes for division and highlights differences, the kingdom of God emphasizes what we have in common.


Community is also "a feeling of unity with others as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals." This is why relationships naturally form around shared values and purposes. When we separate ourselves from those common interests, relationships inevitably change.


What Did the Early Believers Commit To?
Acts 2:42 tells us: "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."


Notice it says "all the believers" - not just some, not just when they felt like it. When we exclude ourselves from this "all," we set ourselves up for disappointment and spiritual stagnation.


The word "devoted" is crucial here. It means being:



Steadfast

Consistent

Intentional


Many claim devotion but lack consistency. If your time away from the community of believers is more consistent than your time together, you're not as devoted as you might think.


Why Don't We See God's Power Like in the Bible?
It's not because God has changed. He's the same God. What's different is our level of commitment to connection and community. Our lack of devotion limits what God wants to do among us.


The early church demonstrated two types of devotion:



Personal devotion - unity within yourself and with Jesus

Public devotion - unity with the body of believers


There will be no community without personal unity, and no community without corporate unity. God commands His blessing where there is unity (Psalm 133:1-3).


Four Commitments the Devoted Make to Community
1. The Apostles' Teaching
The early believers learned from those who walked with Jesus and were set in places of authority. In today's world of "TikTok theology" and "YouTube prophecy," we must remember that where God plants you is where you grow.


When you're planted in a local church, that's where you receive your primary spiritual nourishment. Other resources can supplement, but supplements alone won't sustain you. Some believers aren't growing because they're consuming content from everywhere except where they're planted.


2. Fellowship
The early believers shared life with one another, offering mutual support both naturally and spiritually. This wasn't just sharing the good times but supporting each other through difficulties.


When you say yes to Jesus, you don't board a cruise ship - you board a battleship. Life may become more challenging because the enemy now sees you as a threat. That's why we need fellowship - to strengthen each other in Christ as we move in the same direction together.


3. Sharing in Meals
The early church practiced uncommon hospitality and unity, always with the remembrance of Christ. When they gathered - whether for meals or other activities - they did so in ways that honored God.


This goes beyond just eating together; it's about sharing life in a way that reflects Christ. Would people know you follow Christ by how you interact with others, speak to your family, or behave when no one is watching?


The goal isn't perfection but progression - looking more like Jesus today than we did last week.


4. Prayer
Prayer was central to the early church - not an afterthought. Both private and public prayer were essential parts of their lives.


Many Christians today lack confidence in prayer because they don't know how to pray. That's why learning to pray together is so important. As we become more confident in prayer, we become more consistent.


The Results of True Community
Acts 2:43-47 shows us what happened when the early church committed to these four practices:



A deep sense of awe came over them all

The apostles performed many signs and wonders

They shared their possessions with those in need

They worshiped together in the temple and in homes

They enjoyed the goodwill of all people

The Lord added to their fellowship daily


This last point is crucial. When a church is healthy, people are being saved, lives are being transformed, and the community grows naturally.


Life Application
This week, evaluate your commitment to biblical community by asking yourself:



Am I devoted (steadfast, consistent, intentional) to learning from the teaching where God has planted me?

Am I genuinely sharing life with other believers, both in good times and difficult ones?

Do my social gatherings and daily interactions reflect Christ's presence in my life?

Is prayer central to my life, or merely an afterthought?


The challenge is to identify one area where you can strengthen your commitment to community this week. Perhaps it's joining a small group, establishing a consistent prayer routine, or inviting someone from church into your home for a meal.


Remember, we don't pursue community for its own sake, but because it's through authentic biblical community that God's power is most fully displayed and experienced. As we commit to these four practices like the early church did, we create the environment where God can work in extraordinary ways.