The Vision of Thriving in the Community of Faith
Acts 2:42-47 (NKJV)
42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.
44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common,
45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.
46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,
47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.
44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common,
45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.
46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,
47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
One can acquire everything in
solitude except character.
“
One
of Australia’s greatest natural attractions is the Great Barrier Reef. Colorful
corals stretch hundreds of kilometers along the northern coastline.At points you’ll notice that the coral in close to the coastline is nowhere near as vibrant and colorful as the coral on the ocean side of the reef. There’s a very simple reason for this. The coral on the coastline side is in still water. With no challenge for its survival it dies early. The coral on the ocean side is constantly being tested by wind, waves, storms – surges of power. It has to fight for survival every day of it’s life. As it is challenged and tested it changes and adapts. It grows healthy. It grows strong. And it reproduces.
Creatures of a coral reef are designed to live
in a certain environment where they flourish. Paradoxically, coral reefs flourish even though they are surrounded by
ocean waters that provide few nutrients. Reefs grow best in warm, shallow,
clear, sunny and agitated waters. Remove
them and they perish. Like them, God designed us to live in a certain
environment~an atmosphere of community. However, coral reefs are fragile
ecosystems, partly because they are very sensitive to water temperature.
“I have a vision
for the church. And it begins with creating an
atmosphere, an environment
where supernatural living is encouraged.” (Jim Kallam-Risking Church)
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