So what does it mean to do the will of our father in heaven, as a family of followers of Jesus? How do our values impact our routines and traditions as we develop into a church family?
One example that will guide us for the rest of this series comes from this description in the book of Acts, which tells the story of the first followers of Jesus organizing their extended family after Jesus died, rose and left the earth.
42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe[e] came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Five main elements devoted to:
- Growth in Discipleship – They shared some teaching and belief in common with each other, and those who knew Jesus, the apostles.
- Groups in Community –They were together regularly.
- Grace in Lifestyle – They gained favour with all the people through their changed hearts
- Generosity of Resources – They were selling and sharing their possessions to ensure no one was in need.
- God in Worship – They regularly attended temple worship, and were breaking bread in homes in keeping with Jesus’ instructions from the night before he died
We’ll explore each of these things in depth these next few weeks, because these are the same things our church community will be devoted to. We will try to keep it well rounded, and not just focus on one thing or another.
Challenge: Rank these from easiest to hardest for you.
Loading Content...
Share a Link to this Message
The link has been copied to your clipboard; paste it anywhere you would like to share it.
CloseRyan Sim - October 15, 2013
Tuesday - Study It - Friends To Family
After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. Carry no moneybag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house!’ And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you. And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you. Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ (Luke 10:1-9 ESV) Here we see Jesus in delegation mode. He’s spent loads of time with his disciples, teaching them with his words and way of life. Now, it’s time for them to learn by doing. They have been in gathered mode, now is time to scatter. So he sends them out with little…no moneybag, knapsack, sandals. He sends them with so little they will need to have refrigerator rights in other people’s homes to survive. He wants them to rely on others. Full dependence on others, will teach them full dependence on him. He asks them to find these people of peace by saying “peace on this house”. It almost sounds like a code word, but this was more about who the people are, and what God has already been doing in their lives to prepare them for the missionary’s arrival, and less about their response to a code word! If God has been making these people seek the peace of the kingdom of God, a travelling preaching proclaiming that message will be welcomed. Look how deeply he wants these relationships to go. He wants them to stay with one family, and not go from house to house. He wants them to become family, to be vulnerable, completely known and trusted by others. Question: Describe what you think a person of peace would be like. How would the disciples’ travels be different if they had more supplies?
Related Topics: Family, Friends | More Messages from Ryan Sim | Download Audio
From Series: "Won't You Be My Neighbour?"
More Messages From Ryan Sim...
Day 32 - CLUES to your calling | Ryan Sim | October 27, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Day 31 - Discovering our Gifts | Ryan Sim | October 26, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Day 30 - Work in the Christian Community | Ryan Sim | October 25, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Day 29 - Making a difference for God | Ryan Sim | October 24, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Day 28 - How much should I give? | Ryan Sim | October 20, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Day 27 - Is there a right amount? | Ryan Sim | October 19, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Day 26 - 4 Principles of Stewardship II | Ryan Sim | October 18, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Day 25 - 4 Principles of Stewardship | Ryan Sim | October 17, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Day 24 - Money: A matter of Stewardship | Ryan Sim | October 14, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Day 23 - Money: A matter of Security & Satisfaction | Ryan Sim | October 13, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Day 22 - Money: A matter of identity | Ryan Sim | October 12, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Day 21 - A New Way of Living | Ryan Sim | October 11, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Day 20 - Why join a Church? | Ryan Sim | October 6, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Day 19 - What do Churches Do? | Ryan Sim | October 5, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Day 18 - How do Churches Gather? | Ryan Sim | October 4, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Day 17 - What is the Church? - Part 2 | Ryan Sim | October 3, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Day 16 - What is the Church? Part 1 | Ryan Sim | September 29, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Day 15 - What words should we pray? Others' Words | Ryan Sim | September 28, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Day 14 - What words should we pray? Part 1 - Your Words | Ryan Sim | September 27, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Day 13 - When should we pray? | Ryan Sim | September 26, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Day 12 - What can we pray about? | Ryan Sim | September 22, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Day 11 - How does God Answer Prayer? No and Maybe | Ryan Sim | September 21, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Day 10 - How does God Answer Prayer? Yes | Ryan Sim | September 20, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Day 9 - To whom should we pray? | Ryan Sim | September 19, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Day 8 - What is Prayer? | Ryan Sim | September 15, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Day 7 - How the Read the Bible - Part 2 | Ryan Sim | September 14, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Day 6 - How the Read the Bible - Part 1 | Ryan Sim | September 13, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Day 5 - What is the Bible? Part 5 - Varied Literature | Ryan Sim | September 12, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Day 4 - What is the Bible? Part 4 - A Library | Ryan Sim | September 9, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Day 3 - What is the Bible? Part 3 - Authentic | Ryan Sim | September 8, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Day 2 - What is the Bible? Part 2 - Light and Owners Manual | Ryan Sim | September 7, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Day 1 - What is the Bible? Part 1 - A Letter | Ryan Sim | September 6, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Money: Basic Budgeting - Conclusion | Ryan Sim | September 1, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Money: Basic Budgeting - How Much to Give? | Ryan Sim | August 31, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Money: Basic Budgeting - Giving Levels | Ryan Sim | August 30, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Money: Basic Budgeting - Attitudes | Ryan Sim | August 29, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Money: Basic Budgeting - Everything is God's, Giving is a Need | Ryan Sim | August 25, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Money: Basic Budgeting - Stewardship | Ryan Sim | August 24, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Money: Basic Budgeting - Security and Satisfaction | Ryan Sim | August 23, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Money: Basic Budgeting - Power and Identity | Ryan Sim | August 22, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Money: Basic Budgeting - Getting In and Out of Debt | Ryan Sim | August 18, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Money: Basic Budgeting - Credit Scores | Ryan Sim | August 17, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Money: Basic Budgeting - Payday Loan Rules | Ryan Sim | August 16, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Money: Basic Budgeting - Payday Loan Interest Rates | Ryan Sim | August 15, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Money: Basic Budgeting - Loan Sharks: Don't Get Bitten | Ryan Sim | August 11, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Money: Basic Budgeting - Reading Debt Fine Print | Ryan Sim | August 10, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Money: Basic Budgeting - Calculating Debt APR | Ryan Sim | August 9, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Money: Basic Budgeting - Financial Jargon | Ryan Sim | August 8, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Money: Basic Budgeting - Comparison Shopping | Ryan Sim | August 4, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Money: Basic Budgeting - Smart Shopping | Ryan Sim | August 3, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Money: Basic Budgeting - Your Money Saving Tips | Ryan Sim | August 2, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Money: Basic Budgeting - Budget Surprises | Ryan Sim | August 1, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Money: Basic Budgeting - Start your Budget | Ryan Sim | July 28, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Money: Basic Budgeting - Spending Diary | Ryan Sim | July 27, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Money: Basic Budgeting - Increasing Income | Ryan Sim | July 26, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Money: Basic Budgeting - Reducing Spending | Ryan Sim | July 25, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Money: Basic Budgeting - Overspending | Ryan Sim | July 21, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Money: Basic Budgeting - Savings | Ryan Sim | July 20, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Money: Basic Budgeting - Priority Expenses | Ryan Sim | July 19, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Money: Basic Budgeting - Expenses | Ryan Sim | July 18, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Money: Basic Budgeting - Income Sources | Ryan Sim | July 14, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Money: Basic Budgeting - Budget Basics | Ryan Sim | July 13, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Money: Basic Budgeting - Your Money Type | Ryan Sim | July 12, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
Money: Basic Budgeting - Introduction | Ryan Sim | July 11, 2016 | Watch | Listen | |
We Are...Transformed - Thursday | July 7, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Transformed – Wednesday | July 6, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Transformed - Tuesday | July 5, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Transformed - Monday | July 4, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Made New - Thursday | June 30, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Made New - Wednesday | June 29, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Made New - Tuesday | June 28, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Made New - Monday | June 27, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...One - Thursday | June 23, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...One - Wednesday | June 22, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...One - Tuesday | June 21, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...One - Monday | June 20, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Gifted - Thursday | June 16, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Gifted - Wednesday | June 15, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Gifted - Tuesday | June 14, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Gifted - Monday | June 13, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...At Peace - Thursday | June 9, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...At Peace - Wednesday | June 8, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...At Peace - Tuesday | June 7, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...At Peace - Monday | June 6, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Protected – Thursday | June 2, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Protected - Wednesday | June 1, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Protected - Tuesday | May 31, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Protected - Monday | May 30, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Spirit Led – Thursday | May 26, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Spirit Led – Wednesday | May 25, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Spirit Led - Tuesday | May 24, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Spirit Led - Monday | May 23, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Love - Thursday | May 19, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Love – Wednesday | May 18, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Love - Tuesday | May 17, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Love - Monday | May 16, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Community - Wednesday | May 12, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Community - Wednesday | May 11, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Community - Tuesday | May 10, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Community - Monday | May 9, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Generous - Thursday | May 5, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Generous - Wednesday | May 4, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Generous - Tuesday | May 3, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Generous - Monday | May 2, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Healers - Thursday | April 28, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Healers - Wednesday | April 27, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Healers - Tuesday | April 26, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Healers - Monday | April 25, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Free - Thursday | April 21, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Free - Wednesday | April 20, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Free - Tuesday | April 19, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Free - Monday | April 18, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Messengers - Thursday | April 14, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Messengers - Wednesday | April 13, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Messengers - Tuesday | April 12, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Messengers - Monday | April 11, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Changed People - Thursday | April 7, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Changed People - Wednesday | April 6, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Changed People - Tuesday | April 5, 2016 | Watch | Listen | ||
We Are...Changed People - Monday | April 4, 2016 | Watch | Listen |