Acts 4:32-37 One Heart and Mind

Acts 4:32-37 NIV
"All the believers were one in heart and mind." Wow! That would be awesome! United in the Body of Christ, they shared everything they had and there was no one needy among them. Just amazing that people should share and give so freely.  There was no need for government programs there. Neighbors took care of neighbors who could not take care of themselves. It worked, not because some gave to those who had nothing; but, because everyone worked with one mind in Christ for the Good of all, for the glory of God.

Everyone had something to give and everyone had something to contribute; whether it be in time, talents, gifts of the spirit, or material things. There could no sloths in this group of Christians; there could be no hold-outs. Everyone freely shared what they had with one another for the glory of God.

I'm not sure when all this total sharing ended. But, I imagine it ended because the human hearts have such a difficult time doing good for our neighbors if it means that we might have to live with a little less "stuff." This kind of communal living can only work when we are of one heart and mind in Christ.

May God help us to live reconciled to God in Christ Jesus and with one another; living and serving with one heart and mind.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Psalm 1 - Blessed Is He Who Meditates on God's Word

We begin a new book this morning - the book of Psalms. Psalms is a book of poems or songs, as many congregations, including my own chant/sing a different one every Sunday morning. 

Today we begin by being reminded that those who meditate on the law of the LORD will be blessed.  As we study the Word of God to know His will for us, we will be blessed with the knowledge of His great love and mercy given to us through the precious gift of Jesus the Christ.

In this month of October, we spend time focusing on stewardship at Zion.  Last week we had a "Table Talk" concerning stewardship of creation by one of our council members.  Next Sunday, we will hear a testimony on stewardship of finances by one of our "counters." This morning, I am still going over what I will discuss in regards to stewardship of Word and Sacraments. 

Oh, you've never heard of the concept of being a steward of God's Word and Sacraments.  It is simply this.  God gives you the precious gift of life - eternal life in His presence.  We receive that gift by faith through the means of grace - namely the gifts of Word and Sacraments.  We receive life, who is Jesus Christ, when we hear His word.  We receive life, who is Jesus Christ, when we are baptized into His Body.  We receive life, who is Jesus Christ, when we receive His body and His blood into our very own bodies through the Sacrament of Holy Communion.  By the power of the Spirit of Christ, we receive Him through these means of grace.  If God gives us these precious gifts freely, why would we neglect these gifts to the detriment of our own lives? To be good stewards of the Word and Sacraments is to hear the word and the Word and to receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion often, that Christ may abide in you and you in Him. In that we are truly blessed!

Well, I hope I do better than that at the "Table Talk" this morning.  I hope you get the gist, though!

God's Peace - Pr. J