Road Tripping with the Chorus

To make a short story long, the church at Stuart, FL has supported Georgia Christian School for many years.  Several months ago, Deland decided the chorus needed to go down there and tell them thanks.  A date was set; a date was changed; but finally, the date arrived.  On Saturday morning, 22 members of the chorus, Deland, Bonnie, and Jim set off in the bus, with Stacy, Emma Jean, and me following (we were transporting the risers).  It was a beautiful day and a beautiful drive, and we arrived in Stuart about 5:00 that afternoon.  The reason that I had been tagged to go along was because I had gone to Stuart and spoken last summer for their Vacation Bible School, and the preacher there, Terry Frizzell, is one of my lifelong friends.  The chorus did a wonderful job, but more importantly, they represented the school very well.  Afterwards, we had a time of fellowship (meaning food) and fun.  I am sure that the first impression of Randall Hunter, the youth minister there ("this guy is a complete idiot" -- ha ha) was changed in retrospect ("this guy is brilliant"), for he did a magnificent job of bringing the many cultures present together, both young and old alike.  Yes, his games were corny, but everyone not only participated, they all had a good time.

When I was in Stuart last summer, I came home and told everyone who would listen that if you want to see a church which knows the meaning of the word "hospitality," Stuart is the place to go.  They did not let me down.

On Sunday morning, Deland spoke about Georgia Christian during the Bible class hour.  A lot of Deland's passion for the school comes from literally generations of association.  I am afraid that many take the school for granted, and it is even possible that sometimes the word "Christian" in its name is added as an afterthought as people get wrapped up in the daily grind.  But Deland's presentation served as a vivid reminder that while "school" can be found almost anywhere, "Christian" is a rare commodity, indeed.

As plans were being made for the trip, we kept looking at the map and looking at the clock, and we realized that the possibility of making it back to Dasher in time for worship services was going to be marginal at best.  So, we called upon our friends at the Lake City Church of Christ.  They were not only agreeable to us stopping there for worship, they presented the opportunity for the chorus to sing there, as well.  Again, the chorus members did an excellent job of representing the school.  We thank Lake City for their hospitality and for the wonderful meal they threw together for us, as well.  (I say "threw together" because the congregation was not aware of our coming until Sunday morning.)

It was a special weekend for me, because I had the opportunity to spend time with two of my dearest friends, Terry Frizzell and Ryan Tuten, who preaches at Lake City.  But really, that almost became a side note to the weekend, for I spent considerably more time renewing the acquaintances of Christian friends I have made over the years within those two cities.  I was reminded of the deep bond that is shared in the blood of Christ, and I believe we all need such a reminder from time to time.

"Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God" (1 John 4:7).

With One Accord

From the Preacher's Desk:

In the earliest picture of the church, the Christians are described as such: "And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart" (Acts 2:46). It is important to us to have this image of the church, for it gives us an intimation of what the church was feeling, what the church was doing, and what the church was expecting. With that in mind, we can see what the church today should be feeling, doing, and expecting.

The key not only to this verse, but to the complete aura surrounding the early church, is the phrase "with one accord." If there should be a common goal of the church in this or any age, it should be to conduct ourselves about the Lord's business "with one accord." It is very sad indeed that much of the division within the church today is a direct result of failing to ask, "What does God desire?" and "What is best for God's kingdom?" When one examines the early church, it becomes evident that Paul was not alone in expressing the sentiment of Galatians 2:20: "I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live…." Being a Christian in any age requires an emptying of one's self, setting aside one's own desires to the accomplishing of the will of God. When you look around at the turmoil of our present day, it might seem an impossible task. However, if we will but do as the early church did, it can be done. "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul…" (Acts 2:42-43). There is our recipe for success.

To me, this is a rather curious verse, because there are two phrases within this one passage that have to do with eating. Why is this so, and to what was Luke referring?

The first phrase, "and breaking bread from house to house," uses words similar to that of the Lord's Supper. To the Hebrews, "breaking bread" was an hospitable gesture of intimacy and friendship. (Their bread was commonly thin, hard, and brittle, making it difficult to cut.) I realize this is not a perfect example, but think having an old friend come to town to visit, and taking them to a nice restaurant to eat. But this is the intimacy behind the idea.

It should be evident from this how great is the symbolic important of the unleavened bread in the Lord Supper. This intimacy and friendship is shared between Christians and the Lord every first day of the week in this breaking of bread.

However, in Acts 2:46, Luke does not seem to be referring to the Lord's Supper. He carries this picture of closeness and familiarity into every home of every Christian. This was being done "from house to house."

The second phrase, "did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart," implies to us even more than that. This was not a special hospitality being shown, but a common meal! The word translated as "meat" means provisions or rations and refers to their sustenance. The implication is that such wonderful feelings of hospitality and unity did not stop at the temple; they did not stop with the obvious situations of fellowship; they extended to the day-to-day activities of these Christians, even to the most basic requirements of living. But let us notice one more aspect of this: they were doing so together with gladness and singleness of heart. They were happy to do such and happy because they were doing such. Their unity in purpose, love, and hope allowed them to be one in all things.

Do you remember the phrase that was touted about a couple of years ago? "The family that prays together stays together." Could not, should not this principle be applied to the church? Where do our feelings of oneness with the church cease? Do they stop at the "temple"? (Sadly, with some, it would seem that those feelings never even make it into the place of worship.) Do those feelings stop with our obvious exhibitions of communion and fellowship with one another? Or do they extend to our day-to-day lives as common servants of the Most High God?

Let us awaken each new day with the desire and intent of being "with one accord." The blueprint for unity is before us. Do we really desire to build?

I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

(Ephesians 4:1-3)

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