Scripture Reference: Acts 2:42-47
Revolution Starts with Dissatisfaction
The miracle of Pentecost recorded in Acts 2 was the next salvo in a revolution begun by Jesus. This revolution began with his very coming to us, but became urgent and pointed by this resurrection. The apostles, eyewitnesses of the risen Christ, experienced this linguistic wonder in front of thousands. There was no hiding this act of God.
And just as supernaturally, the normally conflicted Apostle Peter suddenly became filled with the Spirit of God to speak. And speak he did! Tracing the work of God in human history, he told of its climax in the crucifixion and resurrection, and then zeroed in on the individual human heart. “God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified!” Conviction of the crowd was rampant, and three thousand souls believed and were baptized that day.
It didn’t stop there. This crowd was an instant church. The first one! There is no template for this. What do we do?
Form a committee? Start a Sunday School? Build a building? Call a pastor?
None of the above. Here is what the first church did:
· They became apprentices devoted to learning the Word of God
· They changed their lifestyle to that of a close and caring community of faith
· They made worship and prayer their primary common activity
· They saw to it that material needs were met by the members of the community
In short, they determined that they would NOT look like the culture around them. They would be the weird ones; the “different” folks. They would do their best to try and exhibit the heart of God and his priorities for human beings.
No longer would self-aggrandizement be considered a virtue. Power would now go to the one who serves. Popularity, beauty, and riches would be swept off of the altar of cultural idols.
In short, a revolution was beginning. And down through history this revolution called the church has sometimes been amazing in its ability to reflect God’s glory. Other times it has done an abysmal job at it, being more the problem than the solution. SO how do we become the good guys in the fight?
It seems each Christian in each new generation must make their own decision to be a part of the Jesus Revolution.
Have you? Well?
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