I am amazed at the early church. I love the rich community that they had, the passion of their shared cause, the miraculous things that happened, and they way that they kept growing and growing. My hope is that the community I am a part of and lead would be like this:
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:42-47)
"breaking bread" after church one night
What does it take to see a group of Christians become a community like this? While there is no set formula, I believe it takes these few elements:
The Holy Spirit
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8)
The Holy Spirit is the backbone to any community like this. When we allow the power of the Holy Spirit to invade our life, we are empowered to able to do more that we could ever imagine!
Prayer
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6)
We have a God who doesn’t just listen, but cares. We are instructed in Philippians to pray “in every situation”. In our broken world there is so much to pray for, thinking specially about the QLD floods today. There is power in prayer when believers are in agreement.
Accountability
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. (James 5:16)
Its never easy to be vulnerable with someone and share your failings and fallings. Though when we are, and its centred around Christ, we allow Him to work in the situation and bring answers. God works through community.
Fasting
When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (Matthew 6:16-18)
Fasting is the act of abstaining from food, and for Christians represents the sacrifice of a vital human activity to seek God. As the body reminds us of its need for food, we are reminded of our need to seek God. Fasting can be done in many ways, sacrificing any aspect of life.
I am encouraging my connect group to join in fasting for the next 16 days leading up to our annual Powerhouse Summer Retreat. We all have something that we are believing for, or would like to see happen. Powerhouse Summer Retreat is one of those places where God answers many of these.
My amazing community at the 2010 Powerhouse Summer Retreat
Powerhouse Summer Retreat is undoubtably one the most amazing experiences. Getting away with a few thousand young adults to seek God in one accord sets you up for the year like nothing else. I personally can testify to some amazing moments at Retreat’s where God has spoken to me or done something in my life that has changed the course of my year, my season and often my life.
For more information on Powerhouse Summer Retreat check out http://hillsongyouth.com and to register online click here
