Central Christian

As we have been in this series called This is The Way, about the early believers in Acts 1-9, I’ve been moved by the BOLDNESS of these ordinary people and been challenged by the POWER they showed to the people of Jerusalem! (We will finish this series this weekend with Franklin preaching from Acts 8!) They just SPOKE about Jesus! In reading over these chapters, I’ve noticed several OTHER ways that the Early Church affected those around them. Here are 5 Marks of the EARLY CHURCH!

1-They lived out their devotion to Christ for all to see.
The lives of those believers varied significantly from the rest of the society around them. Their dissimilarity with their culture was a new experience for the church, for the Jerusalem believers practiced a lifestyle somewhat like the society they lived in, one steeped in Judaism. Judaism and Christianity overlap in moral matters often, so the Church stood out mostly for its belief in Jesus as the Messiah (Christ).
2-They were a multiethnic, diverse community.
In those days, religion and race were tied together in a tangled knot. Your race determined your religion. As Christianity spread, through mission trips and gospel preaching, true conversions occurred. Since they preached anywhere and everywhere, the respondents were of every race and culture, which led to a multiethnic and diverse church. The gospel does not demand people walk and talk like a particular culture; this was evident in the Early Church.
3-Women were given honor and equality and children were cherished.
The attitude the early church had towards women did not exist elsewhere in the ancient world. Marriages were often a sham. Women were considered property. Men ran amok. But the believers in Antioch began to behave differently towards women. And if a child displeased or inconvenienced their parents, they could be eliminated. But believers began treating children with the dignity they deserve. Christ honored children, and so did his early followers.
4-They had a new work ethic.
Rather than live to acquire wealth, believers began to work with the goal of bringing honor to God. They wanted their work to reflect well on God, and they started to see their work as a way to worship him. The lazy among them set aside their laziness and took up a strong work ethic.
5-They loved one another.
The love these believers showed one another stood out most of all. They were known by their love. As they lived with one another day in, day out, the rest of the community took note of the way they treated each other, but also those outside their group. They would not live like the world around them, but they loved the world around them.

The Early Church was an enigma to the rest of the world! They didn’t LOOK like the rest; they didn’t ACT like the rest…and they certainly didn’t LIVE like the rest of their neighbors! I pray that as we have looked at their example, we have been challenged to be Followers of Jesus, not just people that attend a church! THAT is the Way…and we can learn a LOT from that Way!

Shalom Alachiem-Peace Upon Your Household
Don
AMP Costume Party! 
5-7 pm, Sunday, Oct 29 
There will be a prize for best costume!  
Games * Snacks * Fun Times
If you would like to provide extra snacks, please contact Caitlin.

**November 5th will be our packing party for the Christmas boxes!  

Operation Christmas boxes

It’s time for our Annual Operation Christmas Shoebox Event!

We will be taking donations now through Nov 5th, which is when we will have our packing party with our Youth!  It’s a wonderful opportunity to help our kiddos be the hands and feet of Jesus!  If you have any questions or would like to help, please contact Jennifer.

Let Me Be Frank –
¹¹ The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”
Acts 23:11

Autumn brings a pumpkin spice version of everything, cooler temps, and the “boys of fall.”  Our boy, Caden, plays six-man football for Dora.  Now six-man football is a different animal.  Hard-hitting, fast-paced, and speed matters as much as size.  There were always more players on the other sideline as the game got started, but it didn’t matter.  These Coyotes were going to match up against the next team they had to play, no matter who it was.  When I think of “take courage,” I think of these boys.  They would not quit.  Every battle would be uphill, but they would take the challenge.

How did the Early Church make such an impact?  Courage played a huge part… obedience to the Holy Spirit is key when we are asked to move outside our comfort zone.  The Early Church did not shy away conflict.  They came together under the banner of Jesus Christ and made a difference.  They knew the battle would be uphill, the persecution would be fierce, and the odds would be stacked against them.  The opposition was coming.

Acts 23:10 says, “the dispute became so violent that the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them.”  His life was threatened, but Paul was obedient.  I believe verse 23:11 shines light on his current state.

“Take courage!”  The Lord speaks to Paul the following night after the chaos of the day and leads with this statement.  There’s no reason to say “take courage” if Paul isn’t the least bit afraid.

Have you ever been afraid?  How you ever been frozen in fear thinking about what could come next?  You’re on the field about to hike the ball and a really big defender is breathing down your neck.

Caden knows my voice.  I know him too.  I see his body language from the stands.  I know when he’s tired.  I know when he’s angry.  I know when he’s ready to give up.  So, I shout.  I can be loud when I want to be.  I yell, “You’ve got this.  Keep going.  Finish strong.”

The image of Acts 23:11 hit me like a ton of bricks today.  “The Lord stood near…”  He was in the thick of it.  He could have sent an angel.  He could have revealed His intentions in a dream.  He didn’t do either of those things… He stood near.

The Lord knows your voice.  He knows when you’re tired.  He knows when you’re angry.  He knows when you’re ready to give up.  The Lord stands near.  “You’ve got this.  Keep going.  Finish strong.”

What are you facing today?  Do you need encouragement from the Lord?  He is calling you to take courage and get ready.

Can’t wait to share with you this weekend as we finish this sermon series!
Soli Deo Gloria!
F –

We continue to stand with Israel.  Please pray for peace, security, courage, and strength.

¹I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
² My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

Our mailing address is:

Central Christian Church

1528 South Main

Portales, New Mexico 88130