Follow-up On Order

Order works.  Divine order works divinely.

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Acts 2:46-47 – And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

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It would seem to me that if order works, then divine order would work divinely, or as it might be said, supernatural order works supernaturally.  And the order we are examining in our Text for Today is a result of following a supernatural order established in the early church, and revealed in Acts 2:42-43.  That same order is revealed again in our Text for Today.  Let’s look at it once again. 

First, “they, continued daily with one accord.”  Once again, their steadfast continuity of coming together in accordance with God’s Word began the process.  Second, they were, as before, breaking bread to- gether, and they ate together “with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God.”  Third, in that place of unity and agreement, they found themselves “having favour with all the people.”  This is a manifestation of the Deuteronomy 28 promise that “the world shall fear you because they see you are called by the name of the Lord,” and the Isaiah promise that “the Spirit of the fear of the Lord shall rest upon them.”  And fourth, when the hand of God is truly seen resting upon a person, a work, a church, or a ministry, it draws people.  While many may run from light, many are also drawn to light, especially when in that light is freedom, deliverance, healing, and more; what Acts 2:42-43 called “wonders and signs.”

Once again, we see that same divine order set forth, and the same fruitfulness being brought forth.  To that observation I bring this query.  What are we doing in the church today?  Are we continuing daily with one accord, or are we generally going about in our individual paths, only coming together for what is now a once-a-week social or party gathering?  Are we breaking bread together, enjoying the richness of unity and demonstrating the joy and power that arises from it?  Or are we more concerned with outings and events where we focus on ourselves?  Things like outings and events are not wrong, but not to the exclusion of “breaking bread together.” (The Bread of Life must be kept the centerpiece of our fellowship.)  The breaking of bread is more than eating natural food; it includes that joyous sharing together in the Word of God that attracts the attention of onlookers.  Are we finding favor with all people because of our character, testimony, blessing, and joy, or are we merely viewed as another group of clients that add to the profit margin?  Are we that carriers of the supernatural power of God, drawing people to Christ AND to His Church, or are we simply another novelty created by current social standards and interactions?  Just some thoughts for your consideration.

Manna for Today – Acts 2:13-47; Mark 4:26-29; Ephesians 6:10-18; 2 Corinthians 10:3-6

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