Koinonia

00:00:00 Speaker 1: And all that believed were together and had all things in common. Acts two forty four. Thank you, Lord for the unity and love displayed in Acts two forty four, where believers shared everything they had. We come before you asking for hearts like theirs, hearts filled with generosity and compassion. Empower us to be pillars of support for one another, to lift each other up in times of need, and to share our resources freely. Teach us to serve selflessly, reflecting your love in our actions. May we build strong, loving communities where every one feels valued and cared for. Guide us to live out your command to love our neighbors as ourselves, so that through our unity and generosity, others may see your goodness and grace in Jesus name. Amen, Thank you for praying with me today. You're listening to the Jesus Podcast. Remain here for another dramatized story inspired by the Book of Acts and the birth of the Church. If this podcast has blessed you, make sure to follow so you never have to miss an episode. Peter and Andrew sat across from each other in the kitchen. The light that trickled into the quaint home through the window was the only company for the two brothers. They clinked their wooden cups together before taking a sip of wine. They had been preaching all day throughout Jerusalem, as thousands of Jews believed in Jesus receiving a salvation by His grace through their faith, and if that wasn't enough, he was using men like Peter and Andrew to do it. The work was exhausting, but seeing the harvest after Pentecost was the encouragement they needed to press forward in this great mission Jesus gave them. The disciples had spent the morning at the temple teaching and worshiping God. The two brothers decided to find some reprieve at the house while the other disciples went to find food in the markets. Andrew looked around the empty room. He took notice of the stillness, an unfamiliar sight. As of late, they brushed shoulders with the quiet life after jesus Ascension, but ever since Peter's sermon, the pace had resumed to the usual crowds, masses, and gatherings. However, a welcome change was the fact that these gatherings were informed by angry Pharisees and Sadducees seeking to argue or stone. 00:02:52 Speaker 2: The disciples. 00:02:53 Speaker 1: They were assemblies formed from the genuine believers, gathering together to experience the new way of life. 00:03:02 Speaker 2: Jesus offered. 00:03:04 Speaker 3: It's unbelievable. For so long it was always the twelve of Us in Jesus. I mean, sure there were other fatherers, but nothing like this. Philip keeps telling me of new gatherings forming in houses around the city. They're filled not just with curious crowds, Oh, they're gatherings something else, something dare I say? Supernatural. 00:03:26 Speaker 1: Peter knew exactly what Andrew meant, though he couldn't quite describe it himself either. Every day the apostles and fellow believers joined together for worship at the temple and in their homes. The fellowship that ensued went beyond general human kindness. There was a selflessness that none of the apostles had seen before. Worldly pleasures were gladly cast aside for the sake of making much of the name of Jesus. Just like Jesus said, the world would come to know them for the deep and inspiring love they had for one another. 00:04:07 Speaker 2: Supernatural. That's probably the best word for it. 00:04:11 Speaker 1: Peter's brevity was a sign of inner ponderings. He was struggling to comprehend the swiftness with which this new part of Jesus mission was taking place. A few months ago, life was predictable, circuit teachings, miracles, rints, and repeat. But ever since the Spirit had made his abode within them, more people had come to believe in Jesus in a few days than they had in the last three years. Suddenly, the door to the house burst open, crashing against the earthen wall. Peter and Andrew slammed their cups on the table, and alarm they sprung to their feet as Matthew swung in through the threshold. He supported himself on the wooden bracing of the doorway, catching his breath as best he could. 00:05:00 Speaker 3: Is everything all right? 00:05:02 Speaker 4: Yes? 00:05:03 Speaker 5: I think, I mean I would assume, so it's just we'll come and see for yourselves. 00:05:10 Speaker 1: Matthew hurried out the door, leaving a cloud of dust behind him. Peter and Andrew looked at each other inquisitively, and sped after Matthew. He was weaving between carts, braying donkeys, and civilians with alarming ease. Peter and Andrew bumped clumsily through, offering brief apologies along the way, They wondered what could have lured Matthew into such hysterics. As they turned the corner, they saw a sight all too familiar to them. Hundreds of people were pushing their way towards several of the other apostles on the far end of the courtyard. Their robes swayed around their trampling feet, a sea of fabric separating Peter, Andrew and Matthew from the hill. They wondered how they were going to make their way through the crowd. 00:06:04 Speaker 2: Hey, if we could cross the Sea of Galilee through storms, we can make it through this scene. 00:06:19 Speaker 6: What does it mean to belong? Does it mean everybody thinks the same, dresses the same, and acts the same? Or does belonging run deeper than that? Can someone be exactly who they are, accepted for who they are, while also being challenged to strive for something greater? Welcome to the Jesus Podcast. Gospel inspired stories mean to awaken our imagination and encourage us in our faith. I'm zachfrompray dot Com. We've been taking some time in the Book of Acts to highlight the birth of the Church. Today, we're diving into a story inspired by Acts two forty two through forty seven, a passage that paints a picture of the first Christian community. This is the og Church, the prototype, the model many of us strive for but rarely achieved. So let's explore what made this early church so vibrant, so powerful, and so downright magnetic that people couldn't help but be drawn to it. 00:07:13 Speaker 1: Peter leaned his shoulder on the back of the crowd, doing his best to find the path of least resistance. As he waded through the people, he heard snippets of their energetic chatter. From what I heard, it was instantaneous. 00:07:27 Speaker 7: Maybe he'll do it again. I saw others run off to get relatives. 00:07:31 Speaker 1: Peter did his best to focus on the task at hand. He could piece the story together once he and the other two were safely through the stampede, only a few yards left. Unsure of what kind of scene he would find on the other side, he pushed through the final row of people. There he found Philip, Nathaniel, Thaddeus, and the sons of Zebedee. Philip, punched over on one knee. On the ground in front of him laid a weary man man From what Peter assessed the man hadn't been able to use his legs in years. Philip pressed his hands against the man's legs. With eyes closed, he mumbled a prayer. He opened his eyes and calmly spoke to the man, in the name. 00:08:18 Speaker 2: Of the Lord Jesus, you have been made well, Rise and walk. 00:08:23 Speaker 1: With the help of the woman who had brought him, the man strenuously pulled himself up to his feet. He was afraid to put his full weight on his withering limbs. Philip held his hand and gave it a firm squeeze. 00:08:37 Speaker 2: It's okay. Trust in him who has overcome even death himself. 00:08:42 Speaker 1: The man allowed himself to put more pressure on his feet. Feeling the resistance of the ground, he released his grip from Peter and the woman. For the first time in decades. The man held himself up by his own strength. Began to pour from his eyes. He choked out what could only be interpreted the squeals of gratitude. He wrapped his arms tightly around Peter before turning to the crowds. 00:09:11 Speaker 4: Surely, I tell you, these men must have been sent by God, for I have not had use of my legs for all but twenty five years. But here I stand on my own two feet. 00:09:27 Speaker 1: The crowds cheered in a glorious upcrow. The noise echoed up the walls of the surrounding buildings, lifting the praise up to the throne room of heaven. Peter was stunned than what he had just seen. He turned around just as Matthew and Andrew pressed through the last few onlookers. 00:09:47 Speaker 2: Did he just do what I think he did? 00:09:50 Speaker 5: Yes, yes, that's what I was trying to tell you. 00:09:53 Speaker 2: But wow, I mean, how did Philip know he even could? None of us have performed miracles since Jesus out. 00:10:00 Speaker 5: It wasn't really planned. We were teaching a group of believers when someone asked about healing. It was quite obvious he was talking about himself, as the man was blind. So Philip began explaining how Jesus would perform miracles, and when he repeated the Lord's words commanding the blind to have sight, the man was healed. I mean, Jesus always said it was their faith that made people well. I suppose this man just had enough faith. 00:10:29 Speaker 1: Peter cast his eyes to the ground as he looked to work out what Matthew had just said. Faith. Yes, it was always their faith, but there was always another component an act. Jesus would take a word, a touch, something that connected him with a person being healed. Perhaps that was the key, a connection from person to person, the type of supernatural connection Andrew had mentioned earlier that morning. The spirit was empowering them to carry on all the works of Jesus, from teaching with authority to performing signs and wonders that proved they were ministers of the New Covenant sent by the Lord Ah. 00:11:18 Speaker 2: Do the others know. 00:11:19 Speaker 5: They should by now? We sent Thomas and Simon off to find the others and let them know. We figured that once the word got out that we could heal well, we'll have to be preparing ourselves for the same droves of sick and lame people that would come to Jesus. We've already been taking turns healing those brought before us here. We weren't sure what to do and didn't want to turn anyone away, so I left to find you and Andrew in hopes that you'd have an idea. 00:11:45 Speaker 1: Peter composed himself and allowed himself a minute to think before speaking. 00:11:52 Speaker 2: If the people need healing, then we'll offer them healing We'll do it the same way as when Jesus sent us on. Find the rest of the guys and bring them here. Then have them pair off into groups of two. We'll allow the people to form lines. One of us can control the lines while the other performs the healing. Once the last hour of the day hits, we'll tell the people will be back here tomorrow. 00:12:18 Speaker 1: Matthew nodded his head, taking mental notes of Peter's plan. From the look on his face, he was still processing everything from the morning. Peter put his hands on Matthew's shoulders. 00:12:30 Speaker 2: But first, let's take a second to rest. I have a feeling it will be a busy. 00:12:36 Speaker 1: Day for the next couple of hours. People throughout the city carried stretchers, walked with sick loved ones, and fumbled their way blindly toward the massive cues. The disciples healed everyone who came to them, teaching them of the spiritual healing that could be found in Jesus. Miracle after miracle, the apostles kept forming signs and wonders for the sake of the people, and their efforts were not in vain, as thousands came to a saving faith. The numbers never seemed to dwindle down as more men and women caught wind. 00:13:15 Speaker 2: Of the healings. 00:13:16 Speaker 1: Peter looked up at the sky. The sun hung low and threatened to steal away behind the horizon any minute. The moment Peter had dreaded all day was finally here. He knew he had to tell those yet to be healed to go home, even though he knew they would be back tomorrow. He had seen how dejected someone could get being told they needed to wait to be healed. He gestured to the others to stop what they were doing. 00:13:47 Speaker 2: He cleared his throat, Brothers and sisters, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ has allowed many to be healed. To day. Ha ha ha. By the power of his spirit. The lame walk, the blind see the death here, and the sick have been made well. As the sun sets, we must ask you to return to your homes, but please rest assured we will be back here tomorrow. Though ours in the day run out, the well spring of life will never run dry. 00:14:19 Speaker 1: Peter awkwardly wrung his hands together. That was all he had to say. Now he had to just wait and see how the crowd would respond. There were audible groans and sighs, his least favorite part of the ordeal. He turned back to the others and waved them near to him. 00:14:40 Speaker 2: Ha ha ha. You all did marvelous to day. I mean it. I don't think anyone could have predicted our day going like this. People were healed and the saving name of Jesus was preached. What more could you ask for? 00:14:55 Speaker 1: John gestured to some one behind Peter's back. Peter swiveled around a woman hobbling up to him. She was advanced in years and carefully tread the gravelly ground with a weathered walking stick from her lamp. Peter could only assume she hadn't made her way to the front of the line before sunset. 00:15:15 Speaker 2: Shalom, ma'am, we're glad you could be with us today. Like I said, we'll be back tomorrow. 00:15:21 Speaker 1: And the old woman delicately raised her hand, politely pausing the apostle mid thought. 00:15:27 Speaker 7: Shalom, my name is Nikoma. Pardon me, but I can only assume you and your friends here are tired, and since you've been here all day healing, I'd venture to guess you haven't had time to prepare a meal for this evening. If you'd like there are seats at my table. 00:15:45 Speaker 1: Peter was bewildered at the offer. It was the last thing he had expected to hear from anyone gathered there that day. 00:15:52 Speaker 2: So you're not here for healing. 00:15:56 Speaker 7: I would be lying before you and Adonai if I said it wouldn't be nice. But healing will come in his time. As for dinner, that served, according to my sundial, if we hurry it should still be hot. 00:16:08 Speaker 1: Peter turned round to take an official vote. James rubbed his stomach and whimpered. The others laughed and nodded in agreement. The twelve followed Nacomma down a few narrow streets into a secluded part of the city. Lamps were being lit throughout the houses, appearing sporadically like glowing stars in the night sky. Nacomma pushed the door of her house open at the end of the walking stick. It was bigger than the Apostles had anticipated an elderly woman owning on her own. Philip remarked before entering. 00:16:42 Speaker 2: In, what a lovely home you have. We can't thank you enough for your hospitality. 00:16:47 Speaker 7: You're quite welcome, but I must admit this house doesn't belong to me. 00:16:52 Speaker 1: Nakamma smiled at the puzzled look on Peter's face. She gingerly directed him and the others through the door. Worried he was stepping into an unexpected stranger's home, he and the disciples made their way inside. They stepped into a warm living room lined with rugs and furs. A fire crackled in the hearth sat in the back of the kitchen, where the smell of fresh raisin cakes and lentil soup billowed into the rest of the house. They were startled to find that they weren't the only guests in the house. All around the room lay beds, cots, cushions, and chairs with elderly and sick men, women and children. They came from all corners of the world, hoping to start new lives in Jerusalem, before being stricken with the pains of a broken creation. But each one shared another thing in common. They had found the love of Jesus and now shared it with one another here at Nicomma's home. They jovially their hostess. Upon her return, she hobbled up behind Peter. 00:18:05 Speaker 2: Did I hear you tell Philip this doesn't belong to you? 00:18:09 Speaker 7: Well, perhaps I should be more clear. The deed is in my name, but the house belongs to the Lord. He uses it as he sees fit. 00:18:18 Speaker 2: But how do you support everyone here? The physical demands must be excruciating, not to mention the financial. 00:18:26 Speaker 7: Tolle Believe me, I don't do it alone. Many of the other believers in the city help out when money runs dry. Everyone pitches in, Some even sell their possessions to make ends meet for the needier ones in our community. And my son stops by every day to help out around the house. The rest well, God gives me supernatural strength to do it. 00:18:49 Speaker 1: There was that word again, supernatural. The Holy Spirit was already moving profoundly through the believers in the city, not just in gatherings for the sake of company, but to demonstrate the selfless and sacrificial love of Jesus Christ. Peter was deeply moved by Nacomma. He and the other disciples had spent the afternoon healing hundreds, yet he felt like their gesture of help paled in comparison to Nicomma's pureeness of heart and unmatched generosity. 00:19:24 Speaker 2: How did all of this start? 00:19:25 Speaker 1: Peter asked the question, but he already knew the answer out of necessity. 00:19:30 Speaker 7: I suppose I took in a family in need, and that family turned into two, then three, then four, After five I stopped counting. 00:19:38 Speaker 1: Nacomma confirmed his suspicions. Peter was quickly learning that great moves of the spirit are birthed from small acts of faith. Good things take time, and those who have experienced the love of Jesus will always find the time to do good things, not out of pressure, but out of the root the Spirit bears in Christ's followers. Peter's heart was being softened, finding himself stirred up to show this kind of love. 00:20:10 Speaker 2: This is also unbelievable. 00:20:14 Speaker 7: Believe it. And it's not just us. There are houses all over the city doing the same kind of things you want unbelievable. Some of us even have non believers who come looking for help. We take them in, of course, but we know it's only a matter of time before the Lord wins them over. 00:20:32 Speaker 1: Nakama winked at Peter and invited the disciples to find seats around the room. She shoveled off to the kitchen and returned with bowls of soup and plates of steaming cakes. For the next few hours, she waited on the believers in her house, always wearing a smile. Andrew and Thaddeus had found instruments and offered to lead the people in hymns and psalms. As the fire died down, watch the room with careful consideration. The scene was beautiful, men and women of all backgrounds united together as one the love of Christ and filtrating every part of their lives. This wasn't a mere home. This was heaven on earth. This was genuine fellowship. 00:21:31 Speaker 6: Imagine this. One day. You have a nice little congregation of about one hundred and twenty people. Everyone knows each other by name. There's plenty of parking, and you can always find a seat in the back row if you're late. And then boom, the Holy Spirit shows up on Pentecost and suddenly you're looking at three thy, one hundred and twenty people. Friends. That's like inviting a few folks over to a backyard barbecue, and then the entire neighborhood shows up. What's remarkable here is not just the numbers, but the transformation that took place. Who were in town for the Feast of Pentecost went back home with more than just souvenirs. They carried with them the good news of Jesus Christ, and just like that, the church became a movement. So how did this group of first believers manage this explosive growth? Was it a killer marketing strategy and social media presence? Did they promise free coffee and donuts? Nope, this was something much more profound and yet simple. At the same time. Acts two forty two tells us that they continued steadfastly in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. This, my friend, is the secret sauce. No fancy programs or flashy worship bands, but these four basic yet powerful elements teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. So let's talk to these one by one. First, it's the Apostles doctrine. Their early church devoted themselves to the Apostles doctrine. They didn't sit around discussing the weather or debating how to set up chairs in the upper room. No, they were hungry for the Word of God. They couldn't get enough of hearing about Jesus who so he was, what he taught, what he did, and how it all tied in together with the Grand narrative of scripture. Today we have the privilege of that same doctrine in the New Testament. So let's keep it simple. If it's good enough for them, it's good enough for us. Let's stick to the Word of God. When we're trying to build up a church and when we're trying to figure out what's going to be transformative for people, we must first ground ourselves, anchor ourselves really in the Word of God. But not just teaching the Bible broadly, but how does it pertain to Jesus, Because that's what the Apostles taught. They taught about how the entirety of scripture was this grand, beautiful narrative that ultimately pointed to the Cross, ultimately pointed to Jesus. So, yeah, we can talk about how these insights from the Bible will help us to live everyday lives. We can talk about relationships, we can talk about these cool things. But really, if we're not anchoring ourselves in the person of Jesus and how the Word points to Jesus, we're really missing the point here. The second thing that the early Church devoted themselves to this fellowship. The Greeks called it Quynania. This isn't just a post church potluck, though I'm not knocking those, keep the castroles coming. This is about life together, sharing the joys and struggles, victories and defeats. It's like a spiritual potluck where everyone brings their whole selves to the table and not just a dish. They were bound together by their shared experience of the risen Christ, and they truly lived like it. They shared their resources, they shared their lives with one another. They endured persecution together, they built families together. The modern church can trap us into thinking that we're all on the same page and that we all have coiynania, when we actually don't. Many times, church is more just like a glorified movie theater. We go, we all sit down, and we are pointing ourselves in the same direction, looking at a stage or looking at a screen, and we all listen to the same music, and we hear the same preacher, and then we all turn around and go the same direction out the door. Now, I'm not knocking a Sunday morning service, but we have to understand that the power of the early Church was more than just preaching. It was more than just worship. It was this genuine fellowship where people weren't just pointing all in the same direction, but they were pointing at each other. They were face to face, breaking bread and understanding each other's struggles. And Cooiinnanea takes work. It takes a genuine labor of love. My wife and I when we came to a new city, we were stricken by how little genuine coinanea fellowship there was. We felt a little lonely. To be honest with you, we had just become new parents, and it was confusing, and it was an isolating time. Throw in COVID and the pandemic and all of that, and it's a recipe for disaster. Well, what we found is that Coynanea requires this effort. We could wait around and wait for someone to invite us to things, or we can start picking up people who we see as being lonely and invite them into our lives, share our table, share our experience, share our struggles, and perhaps slowly but surely, we start to have some sort of semblance of coinania fellowship. I can confidently say years later that that labor of love was absolutely worth it. We get to experience Coynanea as the early Church experienced it where we don't just share prayers and hymns and songs, but we share life. We raise our kids together. We do all of these things together with joy and fulfillment. The third element that we see, and perhaps one of my favorite, is the breaking of bread. Now, the breaking of bread serves two purposes here. One, there's beauty in sharing a meal together. Those that we share a meal with and we share our tables with, we are accepting into our lives. Never underestimate the power of inviting somebody over for dinner. Never underestimate the power of sharing a cup of coffee or a good meal with somebody. But it wasn't just about eating meals together, though that was certainly a part of it. It was remembering Jesus's sacrifice through communion. Even then, so close to Jesus's death and resurrection, they were committed to never forgetting what he had done for them. They broke the bread and passed it, remembering the body that was broken. They passed the cup that represented the blood that was spilled for them. And even more than two thousand years later, we ought to embody these same qualities, never neglecting communion. When we gather together. The last pillar that we see of an effective early church was prayer, not just prayer meetings, but the prayers, suggesting both formal times of prayer and an ongoing daily rhythm of calling out to God. They understood that without prayer, all their efforts would be in vain. And I mean think about it. If the Early Church needed to pray this much, how much more do we in this distracted, fast paced world. We need to stay grounded in prayer. We need to stay grounded in the character of God. And because the Early Church was rooted in these four pillars, God showed up in powerful ways. Acts two forty three tells us that fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. There was a tangible sense of God's presence and power among them. And what did that lead to? Well, it led to generosity. These new believers didn't just nod politely to each other on Sunday and call it a day. No, they shared their lives and their possessions with each other too. They held everything in common. Now, before you panic, I'm not suggesting that we start a commune. This wasn't some forced experimental socialism. It was an overflow of love. They cared more about each other than they did their own stuff. Radical, absolutely, but it was also incredibly attractive to the world around them. Acts two forty six through forty seven tells us that they worshiped together in the temple and broke bread in each other's homes with glad and sincere hearts. They praised God and enjoyed the favor of all people. And you know what happened next. The Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. This wasn't about a slick evangelism strategy or five step church growth plan. It was about living out the Gospel in such a compelling way that others couldn't help but want in Their love for God and each other was their greatest witness. So what about us, do we as a church embody this kind of community conanea? Are we devoted to the Word, committed to each other the cross, and rooted in prayer? Because if we are, I believe God will do amazing things among us, not necessarily adding three thousand people in one day, although hey, why not, but transforming us into a community that looks a whole lot like Jesus. Let's be a church where together isn't just a word we throw around, but a reality we live out every day. Let's break bread, Let's pray, share, and see what God does as a result.