In each of the last two weeks, during my sermons I’ve invited you to pick up your bible and read your way through the Acts of the Apostles, allowing it to bear witness to the work of the Holy Spirit. Of course, I’d never ask you to do something that I would not do myself, so I’ve been reading it too. Honestly, I never fail to be amazed, inspired, and challenged by the words contained in The Acts of the Apostles.
One verse that struck me this week is found in Acts 4:32 where we read that “the whole group of those that believed were of one heart and soul…” As I read those words I had a sense of wonder, imagining what it must have been like for a group of believers to be completely aligned with one another. I have no doubt that those gathered together likely held differing views and opinions on many aspects of life in the first century Middle Eastern world, but when it came to their life together in Christ and the mission Christ had called them to these believers were of one heart and mind.
As we read the next verses, we see that not only were they of one heart and mind regarding mission, but they were also “all-in” on that mission – they testified to each other of Christ’s work in their lives, they ensured one another was cared for and that their possessions were shared with those in need. What an excellent image of the church as a body of people united in mission!
At Memorial, our mission is:
to be a grace-filled family, putting our faith into action,
welcoming all people to experience
the love and grace of God, [and who are] journeying to become
deeply rooted disciples of Jesus Christ.
After reading and being a wee bit inspired by Acts 4 this week, I thought this was just the right time to provide a reminder of our mission, around which we are called to be of one heart and mind. I’m in for faith being lived out through action, and for welcoming all people to experience the love and grace of God, and for journeying to become a deeply rooted disciple of Jesus Christ.
How about you?
By the grace of God, and by the power of God’s Spirit we can all give ourselves to living into this calling.
Blessings,
Pastor Charlie
