..from house to house....

Hold on and lets take a ride with paul and the disciples...

First the disciples: In Acts 20:20 it says,"And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have showed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house,"

There is something supernatural in a relationship that gathers us "from house to house". Paul told the followers that he didn't keep back one single thing that would benefit them, or equip them in their ministry. He was wanting to reproduce himsef (in a sense) in them. Not a clone, just a reproduction as far as ministry goes. He said that he taught them these things in two locations: Publicly and from house to house. The "public" teaching speaks of his example to them in his actions and words as he ministered to the people who were in need. Teaching by demonstration and action!

There was also another method he used which is the more common. He academically taught them. He used the Scriptures and historicity of their race to give them a deeper understanding of why he did what he did. By having an understanding of these things, they would acquire a desire to follow his lead in actions. This 'method' is still used a lot, but the 'atmosphere' of Paul's teaching lends itself to a more realistic grasp of the more effective impact a person could have on the people he/she is attempting to reach with this Truth. The "house-to-house" atmosphere made them realize that this is not a 'sterile' nor 'static' word we have. This word is living, powerful, and sharper than a two-edged sword and it pierces and discerns!

Something about the "house-to-house" that brings the word to life. It suddenly becomes personal and isn't some ethereal, aloof, unreachable concept that makes us above other people because we are special just because we have now understood the theology of it! God's Word is a personal, approachable, understandable, house-to-house reality which is available to set anyone free or to instruct anyone in following the Lord!

Again in Acts 2:46-47 "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, Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."

I want to talk a little about breaking bread from house to house. We need to understand that this isn't just their own homes! They are also eating in the homes of their unsaved friends in order to closer identify personally, and to demonstrate the absence of aloofness by facilitating much sharing and many questions. The are also eating in the homes of saved followers to bring this Gospel to life by demonstrating it in the flesh and teaching them to do the same!

My personal "second pulpit" is whatever table in whichever restaurant or cafe' or coffee shop I am in. One "house" I break bread in is Dino's Pizza and Sub Shop. It is "church" to me when I can encourage someone I see there. My breakfast pulpit is in the Gazebo. I have another on my patio in back of my hoouse. Of course there are no real pulpits there like you would see in church, but there is a spiritual pulpit from which a spiritual word flows!

They were in one accord in the temple! They had singleness of heart! They praised God together! They ate with sinners! This unusual demonstration gave them favor with all the people who observed it, and because of this, God added to the church as people accepted Christ. There is no more powerful witness tool than your very own life and the way you interact with, love, and treat, other people!

Shellie and I met L.A. and Teresa Joiner and Larry and Elaine Millinder to break bread in Tallahassee tonight. It wasn't just the loaf we broke, but our personal "loaf" as we shared and loved and laughed and "became one" as we did so! How beautiful the Body of Christ! Try it!

later... jack