We Need Unity To Form CommUNITY
BRD REFLECTIONS
Acts 2:37-47 and Psalm 84 (NIV)
(Alvin Tay, Associate Lay Leader, Missions)
READ:
Acts 2:37-47 (NIV)
OBSERVE:
Most of us are probably familiar with Acts 2:42-47, having done the Acts 2 Church Book Study as a church in 2015.
The church depicted in this passage was one comprising a community of transformed disciples who went on to become witnesses for Christ. Reading the verses again, I am amazed by the ‘togetherness’ of the disciples:
v44-45 – All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.
v46a – Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts.
v46b – They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts….
The early disciples showed their love for God by praising Him and devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching (God’s Word). And they showed love to one another by sharing all that they had with anyone who had need. They obeyed the two Great Commandments – Love God and love one another. In a way, by doing this, they were also fulfilling the Great Commission as they were enjoying the favour of all the people (including pre-believers). And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
It seemed many pre-believers were attracted by their togetherness and their love and compassion for one another. This, to me, was a Great Community.
APPLY:
There was something about the Acts 2 Church that drew people to them like a magnet. It’s Love, Joy and Compassion — a result of their togetherness, their unity, their great community.
It reminds me of Psalm 133:
1 How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! 2 It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe. 3 It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.
DO:
Over the years, the Lord has impressed on me some guiding principles as I serve Him in church. In 2020, it was: “Start small and let God grow it BIG.” Last year, in the Year of Sabbath-Rest, it was: “Just do your Best and let God do the Rest.”
This year, as I tried to discern and obey a calling from God, the constant prompting I received is: “Do not be afraid.” And while reflecting on the Gospel of Matthew during Lent, the final word (or promise) from Jesus caught my attention: “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20b)
Yes, I will never walk alone. God is with me. And today’s BRD passage affirmed the importance of community in church where members are together or united in love, worship and ministry. So my guiding principle going forward: “You will never walk alone. But we must also stay United!”
As Pastor-in-charge Rev Raymond Fong shared recently: “Unity is not uniformity but an agreement to move together out of reverence for our Lord, Jesus Christ.”
May the Lord use me to be His vessel to build communities in my extended family, my small group and my ministry groups. I will remember that Unity is needed to form a Great CommUNITY.
PRAY:
Yes, Lord, it is indeed good and pleasant when your people live together in unity! Help us to be together as a Body of Christ, where all members work for one another, love one another, and care for one another. Help me, Lord, to be your humble vessel to work for unity in the groups you have placed me in, to build spiritual relationships, to listen more, and not always insisting on having the last say. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen!
