Often folks will ask about our church. One question that comes up repeatedly is how large is our congregation. It seems that many folks tend to evaluate a ministry on the basis of size. Size is a measure of comparison, but it should never be used to determine effectiveness. In our text this evening, we will find a group of believers (v15 tells us that there were about 120). Not a huge number of people. But they made an impact upon their world that was nothing short of amazing.
Read: v12-14
After 3 ½ years of ministry, Jesus Christ had touched multitudes of people, but there were only 120 people assembled together in the upper room. Only 120, but God was going to do something so spectacular with this group of people that the world would never be the same! Will God do this again? Perhaps, we know that His desire is still to see this world reached with the Gospel. Could He use this group of about 120 (Grace Baptist Temple) to do something spectacular? To impact this world once again, for the cause of Christ? Why not? Perhaps there is something that we can learn from revisiting the upper room. Let's go back and see if there is a pattern that exists that will point us in the right direction. Let's get back to 2nd Floor Christianity!
"These all continued with one accord…"
I. One Accord in Prayer
(Acts 1:14) These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
A. We cannot separate prayer from power.
1. Lack of prayer results in lack of power.
2. In verse 8 the Lord promised power to His disciples.
3. This group of disciples was committed to prayer.
B. We need to be committed to prayer.
1. Pray for the spread of the gospel.
2. Pray for each other.
3. Pray for others who have needs.
C. Continued corporate (i.e. church wide) prayer defined this early church.
"And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying." (Acts 12:12)
II. One Accord in Place
A. They were together
(Acts 2:1) And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
1. In one accord in prayer…but also in location.
2. I often give Thomas a hard time because he missed coming to Sunday night church and missed seeing the resurrected Jesus.
3. But really, the N.T. emphasizes the importance of coming together with one another.
B. Warning against forsaking the assembly.
1. One of the clearest passages against not coming together is found in Hebrews 10.
2. There the writer challenges the believers not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together.
(Hebrews 10:25) Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
C. God's blessings upon His people.
1. Note the phrase, "they were all with one accord in one place."
2. Then the power of God fell upon them.
3. What if they hadn't been there?
4. It seems that we take such a casual approach to the 'place'.
5. Yes, I said the church isn't the bricks and mortar…it is the flesh and blood, but…
6. Only when we assemble together!
7. A severed hand is not able to function like one that continues to be connected to the body.
8. The believer who does not maintain a connection to the local body of Christ, will also cease to function.
III. One Accord in Priority
(Acts 4:32) And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
A. Consider the value of the individual contribution.
1. From this passage it is clear that this early church cared for each other.
2. It wasn't every man for himself.
3. They understood the acrostic for J.O.Y.
B. Two are better than one
1. Solomon made this observation many years ago.
(Ecclesiastes 4:9) Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
2. We are not geared to go it alone in life or in ministry.
3. We need each other!
4. This early church recognized the importance of caring for one another and doing whatever was needed to provide for all…not communism…Christianity!
C. If we can regain this principle…to be in one accord with our priorities…we can make a difference in our community.
IV. One Accord in Purpose.
(1 Corinthians 1:10) Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
A. While there is diversity of individuals, there should be unity of purpose.
1. We should say the same thing…
2. We should have the same judgment…
3. This requires that we have the same vision…
B. What is your vision for GBT?
1. Is it to be a religious retreat facility or a training ground for the army of God?
2. We are limited by what we see…
3. We often sing the chorus, "Open my eyes Lord" or "Open the eyes of my heart"
4. These and others like them draw our attention to the importance of vision!
5. Elisha and his servant.
(2 Kings 6:15-17) And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.
6. We need to pray that God will give us all a vision of what He can do through this church!
One Accord in Prayer
One Accord in Place
One Accord in Priority One Accord in Purpose.
2nd floor Christianity will make a difference in this church. It will make a difference in our lives individually. And it will make a difference in our community. And it is available to us if we will be in one accord.