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The Third Characteristic of a Healthy Church: A Decision to Live in Awe

The Third Characteristic of a Healthy Church A Decision to Live in Awe
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The first community of saints reflected the power and design of God in their lives as a family of believers. The earliest believers followed the Biblical example they found in the Book of Acts as it described the nature and essence of the first community of saints. The observations of those who witnessed the early Church should inspire and guide us. If we were to emulate the earliest energized believers, our churches would transform the culture and inspire a new generation. How can we, as Christians today, become more like the Church that changed the world and transformed the Roman Empire? We must learn the truth, strive for unity, live in awe, serve in love, share with courage and overflow with joy. These six important characteristics were held by the earliest congregations:

Acts 2:42-47
And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. And everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. And all those who had believed were together, and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions, and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. And day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Six simple attributes were observed in the earliest believers. These principles serve as a template and guide for those of us who want to restore the passion and impact of the early Church. If we employ them today, we’ll create healthy, vibrant, transformative churches. As Christ following theists, we should recognize and appreciate the power and righteousness of God:

Principle #3: Live in Awe
The Church should be in awe of God’s handiwork and continuing involvement in our world:

“…and they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. And everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles…”

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We don’t have to look far to be amazed at the power and wisdom of God. Sometimes the only reason we aren’t surrendered in awe of our Creator is because we aren’t looking carefully enough at the world He created (or how He has worked in our own lives). When we examine the natural world around us, carefully using the same scientific approach the secular world cherishes, it won’t take long to marvel at the complexity and specificity of God’s creation. The very fact we are here (in all our complexity and interdependency) is truly miraculous. But sometimes our failure to be in awe of our Creator isn’t a matter of ignorance on our part; it’s a matter of willful and prideful denial. Sometimes we simply don’t want to admit there might be something bigger than us. Sometimes we suppress the truth of God’s power and work in our lives because we simply don’t want Him to exist:

Romans 1:18-21
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.

In addition to this, we often take for granted the supernatural way God has already guided (and provided for) us. It’s easy to forget the events confirming God’s power. It’s easy to develop a faith requiring a repeated emotional experience to be confident God is real. All the while, God has given us evidence of his power we often take for granted. The earliest believers were fortunate enough to have the apostles in their midst, showing them wonders and signs to remind them of God’s incredible power. The Greek word used for wonders (terata) is used to describe things inexplicable through naturalistic mechanisms. The Greek word used for signs (seemeia) describes the meaning we should infer from these wonders. When we encounter something naturally inexplicable, we may be looking at a piece of evidence for God’s existence. The miraculous wonders we see all around us are a sign God exists and is working powerfully in our world.

The Church ought to be looking closely at our environment (and its biological diversity) every time we meet. We ought to be looking for evidence of the supernatural. This careful examination will help us to live in awe of God’s creative and providential power. We should also study God’s work in our own lives as we serve together, recording our adventures of service and revisiting the many ways God has worked through us. As we share the stories of how God continues to use fallen and fragile humans such as ourselves to advance the cause of His Kingdom, we’ll live in awe of ability to transform lives. The Church must be careful to remember who God is and what He has done. If we do this, we’ll share the awe and respect felt by the earliest of believers.

In this short series, we’ve examined the value of six important characteristics of the early Church. A family of God ought to be a family in awe. Church groups have taken every shape and form in the two thousand years since the first community of saints. The current form is not nearly as important as the transcendent purpose of God’s people here on earth. As we look deeply at the nature of the first Church as it was described in the Book of Acts, we see God’s design for us as a family. The Church is not a place to meet; it is a people to be. When we, as a Church, come to properly understand the power and activity of God in our world and in our lives, we’ll share the awe felt by the early Church. The resulting change in our character will bring glory to God. As we look deeply at the nature of the first Church as it was described in the Book of Acts, we see God’s design for us as a family. Click To Tweet

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Written By

J. Warner Wallace is a Dateline featured cold-case homicide detective, popular national speaker and best-selling author. He continues to consult on cold-case investigations while serving as a Senior Fellow at the Colson Center for Christian Worldview. He is also an Adj. Professor of Christian Apologetics at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, and a faculty member at Summit Ministries. He holds a BA in Design (from CSULB), an MA in Architecture (from UCLA), and an MA in Theological Studies (from Gateway Seminary).

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  1. Pingback: The Fourth Characteristic of a Healthy Church: A Desire to Serve in Love | Cold Case Christianity

  2. Pingback: The Second Characteristic of a Healthy Church: A Call to Strive for Unity | Cold Case Christianity

  3. Pingback: The Third Characteristic of a Healthy Church: A Decision to Live in Awe | Cold Case Christianity – Reformed faith salsa style

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