“A Spirit-filled Church” Acts 2:42-47

Are these verses just an historical account of what the church did? Were they intended to inspire the
church for all the years of mission and ministry ahead? I believe the latter.

Luke is by no means conveying this is the model of a perfect church. He is describing what a church
looks like and how it functions when it is fully committed to Christ and full of the Spirit. These verses don’t
just describe church on Sunday. They describe a way of life in the Holy Spirit, in its totality. A way of life
that encompassed all of life for early Christians. And if we note verse 47, it is a church the Lord would
want to “add to their number daily those who are being saved”. A church whose constant expression is
love and grace toward each other and others. A church burning hot for God.

What it looks like to be a Spirit-filled Church –

Devoted

Devoted to teaching, to fellowship, to breaking of bread and to prayer. This church loved each other.
But they loved each other because they loved Jesus first. They loved him! There “devotion” was natural.
Think for a moment about who or what you are “devoted” to? Probably a lot of things, but is your primary “devotion”
to Jesus, to God’s word, to each other, like your life depends on it?

Sharing

These first Christians experienced such security and trust in God’s promises and provision that they
literally let go of all they had to help one another. God gifts each of us, not for self-fulfilment, but for the
purposes of supplying what is lacking in someone else by meeting their needs. Grace is not to be stored
but shared.

Worshipping

They worshipped because they loved the Lord and did so with glad and sincere hearts. Why did they?
God had visited with them. He was present with them. These guys didn’t have Hillsong, with digital desks
and data projection; they had a profound love of Jesus! Here’s a reason why we worship with sincerity
and gladness. Jesus died for us. If we need more reason than that then we need to get before God
and get a fresh revelation of that truth and let it sink into our spirits. When we cease to be awed by the
wonder and majesty of God something else is stealing away that worship. Remember when you first
loved Jesus? Get that love back again!

Mission

Why would Luke write such a statement if there were no connection between the devotion of the
church and those coming to faith in Christ? God is the builder of the church but doesn’t suggest our
efforts are not required or are by any means insignificant. Reaching others with the good news of Jesus
and being ready to disciple new believers is what a Spirit-filled church does.

We’ve talked about a lot through this series: filling, baptism, what being a Spirit-filled church looks like.
There is a clear scriptural case for our need of the Holy Spirit. For all that’s been said, God the Holy Spirit
wants us to live our lives in him, immersed in him, full of him and in step with him.