As the Spirit gave life and the early church drew its first breaths, we read that the gospel of Jesus Christ was being preached and extraordinary things were occurring.
“So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.” Acts 2:41-47
If you were to enter a Christian bookstore (or visit one online), would you rather choose a book on:
- 3,000 being saved OR the Apostle’s teaching
- Miracles OR Fellowship and Community
- Powerful worship OR Hospitality
- Authority/Influence OR Discipline/Character
- Radical generosity OR Faithful church attendance
We will all lean towards one side or the other of this list. But what if it’s not either/or, but both/and? What if each of these characteristics of the early church is as much equal necessary, important, beautiful and powerful as the other?
A personal principle of mine in both life and ministry is that the highest cannot stand without the lowest. Both must stand together. The height of a man’s gifts cannot stand without the depth of a man’s character. And there’s an aspect of the work of the Spirit that is highly visible and at times extraordinary in the church, yet cannot stand without another aspect that is deeply hidden and decidedly ordinary.
If we look at the list above, to grow big in Christ is to expect and pursue both. To be and do both. To ask for and receive both. The miraculous and the mundane. The Spirit and the Word. The incredible and the simple. The exciting and the boring. The extraordinary and the ordinary. The heavenly blessing and the earthly responsibility.
No garden is fruitful and bursting with life (“the highest”) that is not routinely cultivated, cared for, and pruned (“the lowest”). The very fact that it needs constant care and attention bears witness to glory and life in the garden! But its “glory” and life is not derived from the gardener but from God.
The life and glory of a big people is not derived from the people but from its source, Jesus. He is the Beginning and the End. The Alpha and the Omega. The Highest and the Lowest. In Him, we bear fruit and are pruned. In Him all things are possible. Yes, in Him, all things in Acts 2:41-47 are possible and cannot stand one without the other. So let’s pursue them each and all, Elim Grace. Let’s grow big in Christ.