SERMON: “The Space Between”   D. Karl Thomas

SERMON: “The Space Between”   D. Karl Thomas

Eugene Peterson  (The Message).  

“There can be no maturity in the spiritual life, no obedience in following Jesus, no wholeness in the Christian life, apart from an immersion in, and embrace of, community. I am not myself by myself.”

God  “And the Lord God said, ‘It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.’”    Genesis 2:18

According to the National Institute on Ageing the health risks of prolonged isolation are equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Social isolation and loneliness have even been estimated to shorten a person’s life span by as many as 15 years. (https://extension.unh.edu/blog/2022/05/prolonged-social-isolation-loneliness-are-equivalent-smoking-15-cigarettes-day

Acts 20:20 “You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house.”

Acts 2:46 “So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house,”

The Space Between Matters!!!

The corporate celebration is important.

The midweek connect is an essential part of advancing the purpose of God.

Habakkuk 2:14 “… earth will be filled With the knowledge of the glory of the Lord,…”.  

Fellowship Function Formation

Giligan’s Island —  Hogans Heros — Friends — Real Housewives of New Jersey

Johann Hari  “The opposite of addiction isn’t sobriety – it’s connection”

Professor of Psychology Bruce Alexander  “For too long, we have talked exclusively about individual recovery from addiction. We need now to talk about social recovery—how we all recover, together, from the sickness of isolation that is sinking on us like a thick fog.”

Experiment:  “What happened is—again—striking. The rats seemed to have a few twitches of withdrawal, but they soon stopped their heavy use, and went back to having a normal life. The good cage saved them.”

In the book of Acts we see the working strategy for fulfilling the mission of God.

Jesus left behind a loving community that would manifest His glory to the ends of the earth.

Equipped

Acts 1:3   “He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.”

Empowered

Acts 1:8  “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Exponential

In a matter of years the church went from conception to a number that could not be counted. A church with significant influence on the community.

Exponential Growth   They grew from 120 people to 3,120 in one day, and the Lord added people daily.

Acts 2:41 “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.”

Acts 2:47   “And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”

Acts 4:4   “However, many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.”

Acts 5:13-14  “Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly. And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women,”

Acts 5:28   “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!”

Church in Jerusalem grew to 100,000 in twenty years. Population of 250,000.

Acts 6:1  “Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying,…”

Acts 6:7  “Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly.”

Acts 21:20 “And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord. And they said to him, ‘You see, brother, how many myriads of Jews there are who have believed,…’”.  myrias:— an innumerable company

How did they handles all these people coming into the Kingdom? How were they discipled and cared for? 59 One another NT Commands.

Acts 2:41-47  “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.  And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.”  

Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common,  and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.

So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,  praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”

Four Needs That Are Met:

1. Spiritual

Word Of God — Study question.  Prayer — Engaging God together.

Fellowship — intimate vulnerable application and accountability

2. Physical

Had things in common. Peoples needs were met.  Can you help me with some stuff.

Example. Sharing of skills.

3. Emotional 

Gladness.   Praising God.   Favour.   People in community are happier than those in isolation.

4. Missional 

Favour with all people.   Daily people were added.   Together serving locally and beyond.

Others impacted by your life.

The Space Between Matters!!!