Acts: The Characteristics of Christianity

1/27/2019

Today we’re talking about shattering the myth of comfort. What does that mean?
Perhaps it’s best to first talk about what it is that makes us comfortable. In your life (personal, familial, vocational, spiritual, experiential) what things have you put in place to ensure comfort? Maybe a better way to explore this is to ask, what are the discomforts you actively, consciously avoid in your life?

Read Acts 11:19-30 together.
Pastor Jeremy listed 3 characteristics which these first Christians in the city of Antioch displayed. He noted;
- The gospel was preached by ordinary people.
- They displayed a heart of humility and sacrificial generosity.
- And they quickly developed a mercy ministry.
For each of these points, discuss what the cost would have been for the disciples involved in Antioch. Think of social, financial, and personal issues. How did Barnabas model these 3 characteristics?
What do you think it was that made these Christians willing to live like this?
Now for each point, consider your own Christian life. Are you living a life of personal sacrifice or have you unintentionally built a life based on self preservation or comfort?
Consider the words of Jesus in Luke 18:29-30
How does the gospel fill the gap we surely see between the lives of the Christians and our own? This past Saturday at the Men’s Morning we said that actions are based on decisions, decisions are based on beliefs, and beliefs are based on loves. If this is true, what do our actions then say about our true loves?

Looking at the personal cost of the early Christian mercy ministries, Pastor Jeremy pointed to Rodney Stark’s excellent book The Rise of Christianity. We’ve ordered this for the church library if you’re interested in taking a look. (This book also comes with Pastor Brennan’s personal thumbs up!)