They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favour with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Acts 2:42-47
I am going to depart from my usual in-depth approach to the Bible this morning. I am going to write this Gem from a personal Christmas viewpoint. Did you catch the importance of this segment in Acts? It’s an amazing statement of what that early embryo church was like. It was what set them apart from others. I am writing this on the morning of Christmas Eve. Just stop and ask yourself what everyone is looking for. At Christmas time we want PEACE and love. But peace is so hard to find at Christmas time. We have substituted peace and love, the peace and love of the Prince of Peace and the God of Love, for busyness, consumerism and almost everything else but peace. We sing songs like:
- What the world needs now is love, sweet love
- It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of
- What the world needs now is love, sweet love
- No, not just for some but for everyone.
And we sing that while we are stepping on all those around us, or it is playing in the store while we fight with the lady next to us for the last Doraemon Doll or the only iPhone 6 left in the store. It’s crazy isn’t it? That the very thing we so desperately want is the very thing which eludes us? Even when we get what we want, so soon afterwards it is the thing that makes us mad and we end up breaking it. Or worse yet someone else breaks it and our world crumbles to chaos again. Is that what Paul was talking about through his words in Romans 7? That very thing I want to do is the thing I can’t do. James sums it up when he told us that we don’t get what we desire because our desires come from that sinful part of us which only seeks for my good, not the good of others and so I am led astray by my own evil desires. That sums it up. I will take the words from an Elvis Christmas song. (Those who know me know I love Elvis songs).
- I hear the bells
- Saying Christmas is near
- They ring out to tell the world
- That this is the season of cheer
- I hear a choir
- Singing sweetly somewhere
- And a glow fills my heart, I’m at peace with the world
- As the sound of their singing fills the air
- Oh, why can’t every day be like Christmas
- Why can’t that feeling go on endlessly
- For if everyday could be just like Christmas
- What a wonderful world this would be
- I hear a child
- Telling Santa what to bring
- And the smile upon his tiny face
- Is worth more to me than anything
- Oh, why can’t everyday be like Christmas
- Why can’t that feeling go on endlessly
- For if everyday could be just like Christmas
- What a wonderful world this would be
Oh, indeed every day could be like Christmas. No, not the Christmas we all know, the Christmas we all seek. The early church had found the secret “of being content whether in plenty or in lack”. With a Doraemon Doll or without, with an iPhone 6 or without. Sorry all sold out, “Not arrived yet in country”, “Sorry there are none left in Jakarta. We have to wait for a new shipment.” These are the kinds of words that are heard around us at this time of the year. There are books, stories and films made of this aspect of Christmas. But few press into the Prince of Peace to find the answer. If we go back to Acts 2:42-47, there it is, captured for us by the words of Luke post Pentecost. The early church got it. They learned the secret. Just meditate on the words of Luke in Acts 2:42-47 and measure your life, your situation, your church, your cell group against those words.
- Is there anything you think you might need to change?
- Is there anything your cell group might need to change?
- Is there anything your church might need to change?
I wrote recently in our church bulletin related to love. We wear necklaces with “LOVE” written on them or a heart or other symbols which characterise love. Or we get tattoos on our body of our latest special friend, only to realize later there was no commitment with the love we thought we had found. With all of these modern day examples there is a sentimentality about them that does not equate with how Jesus or Paul meant for us to love one another. Love is not a light fluffy feeling with little birds flying around. It is not a Disneyland concept or an idealistic Hollywood take on love. Jesus’ love / New Testament Love is gutsy self-sacrificial love that sets a Christian apart. It is epitomised in the willingness of someone to lay down their life (or belongings) for their friends.
Love those who love you. Do to others as you would have them do to you.
Luke 6:31
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 13:34-35
Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone–especially to those in the family of faith.
Galatians 6:10
‘Love your neighbour as yourself.
Mark 12:31
Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
Luke 6:27-28
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
John 15:13
- Did you notice there is a progression to these verses?
- Love those who love you
- Love one another (fellow disciples, fellow Deeper Biblers, fellow church members)
- Love those in the household of faith (fellow Christians)
- Love your neighbor
- Love your enemies
This is not some elusive thing that humans can never find. Some “pie in the sky by and by” concept but rather it is real, touchable, tangible CHRISTianity. It is found when the Holy Spirit of the Christ child is present. The early church didn’t just know about it. They KNEW it experientially.
It’s individuals who make a difference. Go BE Christmas for someone this Christmas season.
Anon
The essence of Christmas in eight words: “The Word became flesh and tabernacled among us.”
John ben Zebedee
If the Christmas story is true, bow down. If it isn’t, bow out. Anything in between is dishonest.
Rick Atchley
He who has no Christmas in his heart will never find Christmas under a tree.
Anon
Without Christ: Christmas is the time of the year you sit in front of a dead tree and eat candy out of your socks.
Anon
Take time this Christmas to find the Christ, full of Grace and Peace.
Anon
Put Christ back in CHRISTmas! Jesus is still the Reason for the Season.
Anon
May your Christmas be pregnant with Jesus, the Christ Child.
Ian Vail
Merry Christmas. From Berean Insights, Deeper Bible, Bible Gems and Ian and Tania.