Can the church really be called a family, when the first story about brothers in the Bible ends in murder, and brothers are quite capable of locking each other in the bathroom? This sermon from the fourth chapter of Acts (Acts 4) shows a community whose unity no one manufactured; the Holy Spirit gave it, like a field of sunflowers all turning together toward one sun. We also hear of the Christians of Carthage who stayed in the plague-stricken city to help even their enemies. Listen if you find yourself torn between longing for closeness and keeping people at arm’s length.
Devoted to Community
Ekklesia
The Church was not invented by humans, but was Jesus’ own idea. He knew perfectly well that one cannot be a Christian alone, because we all need relationships. Therefore, as we read the story of the Church’s beginnings, we want to remind ourselves anew of what our mission in this world is and take a look at some of the practices of the early Christians that help build true community.
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12 sermons
