Ordinary: The ordinary church

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 2:42-47 (ESV)

Rev. Dwight Yoo

God works in extraordinary ways through the ordinary ways of the church. He does great things via normal, everyday church activities. We do not have a high view of the church today. We consider it antiquated, inefficient, and useless. But God works through it, it is His chosen method. He loves the church, even though it is made up of sick people. Jesus is the head; the church is the body. You cannot have one without the other.

Devoted to the word

The church is dedicated to apostle's teachings. They are to work via the word. Even after the original disciples die, the church is given offices to feed, grow, and mature the church via the word.

Fellowship, the intimate sharing of lives

The members of the church look out for each other. They are generous to each others. They share good times, bad times, burdens, sins, and joys. If you are struggling with sexual sin, depression, financial trouble, or marriage issues... But no one in the church knows, then something is wrong. We are failing to fellowship. The church is not working in the ordinary way that God meant.

Sacraments

Communion and baptism are the ways that Jesus commanded us to spiritually feed the church. Not miracles, just everyday actions where God brings about spiritual work.

Devotion to ordinary church life brings growth.

The devotion to the ordinary practices of church grows the church both qualitatively and quantitatively. It is not our personal effort, but God working through it. The wind of His spirit working brings about spiritual change.

Ordinary: The Value of Ordinary Work

Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more, and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.

1 Thesis

Rev Dwight Yoo

This sermon series is trying to address our generation's fear of being ordinary. We are trying to create an image of a sustainable, everyday faith. We want to avoid being lazy in our spiritual walk, but also avoid the over-valuing of radical, world-changing lifestyle.

Your ordinary job is an important way of living others.

Paul writes the church during persecution and tells them to continue doing what they do in regards to brotherly love. This is a very generous church. They were not rich, but they were generous. Paul talks about living quiet lives as well as giving to kingdom work in other regions. Working with your hands is another way of showing love. Aspiring to live quietly and working is a way to show love. Why? Many Christians in this church were not working. They were so obsessed with the return of Jesus that they quit working. They were living off of other Christians and welfare. This was hindering the witness of the church there. They were so caught up in the spectacular that they lost sight of the mundane. God works in the everyday. He doesn't always work in miraculous and spectacular ways. God provides. How? Through work, the everyday ordinary work of a baker and a supermarket worker stocking shelves. Work is more than just for your fulfillment. It is also for those we work with, for those who depend on us... That our jobs are not all about us. Not about us being the most impactful or respected by those around us. It is about being a blessing. Whether it is about freeing people from seed trafficking or baking bread for people. The work is equally valued by God. He loves both workers regardless of what work they do. Don't get caught up in big ideas and crazy schemes. Live quiet and peaceful lives. Quiet faithful lives can make an impact.

The power of valuing ordinary work

Be ambitious about being unambitious. We are driven by selfish ambition. But this is not what we are to do, we are to be ambitious to bless others and give glory to God. Don't trample those in the way of your career path. Don't envy those who work the job you want. We do this as a way to follow Christ. To lay down our personal desires for fame or acclaim, due to yourself, take up our cross and do the will of our Father in heaven just as Christ did.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. - Philippians 2.3-11 ESV