The COVID-19 Church

Pericope: Acts 2:42-47 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 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, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Sermon Text: Acts 2:46 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

The COVID-19 Church

vs. 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

Point 1: There is a Shift in the COVID-19 Church vs. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common.

The Greek for everything in common means to share all things equally.

Point 2: There is a Shaking in the COVID-19 Church vs. 5:41, 42; 8:1; 12:1-3

5:41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.

5:42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.

5:42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.

8:1 On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.

12:1-3  It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. 2 He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. 3 When he saw that this met with approval among the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Festival of Unleavened Bread. The church was told to go

·       The church settled

·       The church has settled in beautiful sanctuaries

·       The church must go COVID-19 changed the game.

Point 3: There is a Sharpening in the COVID-19 church – vs. 9:1, 4, 15, 31

9:1 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 

4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 

31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.

·       New emergent leadership

·       New leadership style

·       New leadership focus

·       New leadership vision

Point 4: There is a Shaping of the COVID-19 Church vs 44, 46-47 

44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 46 Every day they continued to meet together.... They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. They were together (and so will we)

·       They were powerful (and so will we)

·       They were influential (and so will we)

·       COVID-19 Distraction or Traction

·       COVID-19 choices make us…crisis reveal us

Life Application:

1.  Register for LifeGroup – become a COVID-19 church

2.  Pick up communion kit and invite another family to have communion next Sunday

3.  Invite a person for Easter service to view or in person TBD