And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity— all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

Acts 2:44-47

The holiday season always reminds me to think more about my community than about myself. I try to do this all the time, as I’m sure you do too, but there’s just something about this time of year that really makes it clear how important community is to us and for us.

As we explored in last week’s posts, Christmas reminds us that God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit worked in perfect unity to bring God’s gift of salvation to everyone in the world. The upcoming new year reminds us each new day holds promise because of God’s great and many promises to us.

As we read Acts 2:44-47, what a beautiful example of Christian community is portrayed. The early believers invested in one another and shared all things. They met daily in God’s house and invited each other to their homes for meals filled with gladness from sincere hearts. They praised the Lord their God for all things.

The people around them noticed that they were living differently and wanted that difference, and the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

The scene described in Acts 2 may have occurred roughly 2,000 years ago, but that doesn’t mean it can’t occur today as well. Our God is El Olam, the Everlasting God! He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow!

Brothers and Sisters, if we take the proper steps in faith and love, God will bring the peace and gladness and joy we read about in Acts 2.

Those around us will see the difference He brings through the testimony of our lives and more will come to know Him daily just as they did back then.

As we approach a new year, what better time to pull together in community under the authority of Almighty God?

What better time to give the “me, me, me” and “mine, mine, mine” mentality of the world the boot and focus more fully on sharing with others and helping others succeed?

What better time to become the community-building, disciple-making believers God calls us to be?