Faith Baptist Church

                                   Spiritual Pediatrics
                                                        Acts 2:42

”Spiritual Pediatrics” is today’s subject.  Acts chapter 2.

In the 1950s, Art Linkletter hosted a TV program called, “House Party,” in which he interviewed young children.  On one show…

*He had a three-year-old on a stool with a microphone in her hand, sitting
 there swinging her little legs.

    “What do you do in the morning?” the host asked.
    “I help mommy fix brekfast (breakfast).”
    “Really, what do you do to fix breakfast?”
    “Well, she always lets me put the toast in the toaster,
       but she never lets me flush it.”

*In another classic moment, a ten year old grabbed the mic and said:

     “My dad’s a cop. He catches crooks and burglars and spread-eagles
      them, puts cuffs on them, takes them down to the station, throws them in
      the slammer.”

      “Wow,” Linkletter said.  “I’ll bet your mother gets worried about his work,
       doesn’t she?  “Heck, no,” the boys responded, “He brings her lots of
       watches, rings and jewelry.”

A mother writes:

    “My son, Zachary, came screaming out of the bathroom to tell me he had
     dropped his toothbrush in the toilet. So I fished it out and threw it in the
     garbage.  Zachary stood there thinking for a moment, ran to my bathroom
     and came running out with my toothbrush.  He held it up and he said with
     a charming little smile, “We’d better throw this one out too since it fell
     into the toilet a few days ago.’”

There is one sentence you will hear parents of young children—especially first-time parents—say, “Now What Do We Do?”

As the Apostles surveyed the thousands of baby believers who trusted Christ on the Day of Pentecost, they must have ask that same question.

Verse 41 says, “Then those who gladly received his (Peter’s) word were
          baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to
          them.”

This chart is from a significant book called “The Rise of Christianity,” written by Rodney Stark, a professor of Sociology at the University of Washington.  He calculated that beginning at this moment, Christianity spread in the Roman Empire at the rate of about 40% per decade.

In the year 40 AD, a few years after Jesus died, there were roughly 5000 Christians in the world. That looks pretty insignificant and negligible. That was .0075% of the population of the Roman Empire.

Then it starts to spread and keeps going until by 350 AD (just after the time of Constantine), there are about 33,000,000, or 56% of the Roman Empire, who named the name of Jesus. How did that happen? The Roman Empire was collapsing, yet this movement of Jesus just kept spreading.

Verse 42 is the answer.  There are many things a church can give emphasis to in our busy, sophisticated age.  A pastor gets a steady stream of mail and email touting, “If you will do what we are doing, your church will grow too.”  Of course, what they are talking about is numbers, as if warm bodies in pews is the NT mandate; as if people and disciples are the same thing.

The church, born at Pentecost, had none of what experts tell us you need to be “successful” in our culture.

In this summary (characteristic of Luke in Acts), the Holy Spirit is very careful to tell us what they did have…what they did do…

There are four areas in spiritual pediatrics. If we will take these seriously, the Holy Spirit will work mightily in and through us too.

The first item in a recipe for baking a possum said, “Catch a possum.”  You can’t get in more basic, more focused than this.  I pray that if some one cut us, we at Faith would bleed these four pillars of NT ministry.  They are the first word; they are the last word of what we have been called to do and be.

As one studies the celebrity craze, and a culture that will rush to pay a 21 year old athlete $80 million dollars over five years (that $16 million a year, or $1.3 million a month), one explanation is that most people would say,

      “Just once in my life, I’d like to be involved in something that’s
       exciting and a cut above the routine; to be a part of something that’s
        bigger than me. To be identified  with five men on a court and thousands
        of fans in the seats, who are struggling, sacrificing in a pursuit that will
        give pulverize the routine and give my life purpose and significance.”

I had the opportunity to attend an NBA game in Philadelphia when Shaquille O’Neal was a newcomer in the league.  That evening a long-standing question was answered to me, “Why would people

….pay significant bucks (we didn’t, we were in the nose bleed section)
…get home very late on a work night,

when they could watch the whole thing on TV. 

The answer: Atmosphere.

It’s important that you understand the atmosphere of spiritual pediatrics.

1. First, whatever they did, they did together.

    …In verse 41, they were baptized together.  
    …Verse 42, “They (all) continued steadfastly…”

        The Greek word connotes a “steadfast, single-minded fidelity to a course
         of action; a constant, steadfast, persistence.”

         You are living your life either on the basis of rights or responsibilities.
          “Rights” is based on a life philosophy called, “Individualism;”
          “Responsibility” is based on community.

           Any thought of individualism, deciding and acting apart from the group,
           would not emerge for centuries and when it did, the effects were like a
           stroke in the physical body. 

     …Verse 44— “Now all who believed were together, and had all things in
           common.”  That is, there were no needs among them; The “haves”
           shared with the “have nots.”

           The plural pronoun “they” appears 11 times in the chapter. 
           The singular pronoun “he” appears 8 times, 7 of those appearances it
                 refers to a member of the Trinity (God)! Only once to a single
                person (David, verse 29)

2.  The Early Church gave careful attention to Spiritual Authority.

      Verse 42, “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine…”

      Sociologists—Christian and non-Christian—point out for you to have an
      cohesion in a family, a club, a group, a neighbor, a nation, several
      things must be present.  If they cease to exist the group will disintegrate.
      The leader finds himself herding cats.

       Listen:

         “In a community united around a common purpose there is a clear
         understanding of and respect for the authority structure. Someone is
         responsible to lead the community in such a way that it upholds and
         advances the common purpose. If is this authority structure that blesses
         and reinforces positive behavior, and holds community members
         accountable for negative or destructive behavior…

         In the Amish community, there is a head leader, who is respected and
         who has authority to watch over and administer the values and beliefs
         of the community. 
         
          In the tight knit community of a monastery, the abbot (meaning “father”)
          guides the monks toward their ultimate purpose of achieving union
          with God. Even gangs, which have emerged in large part because of a
          lack of healthy public places where community can be experienced,
          have a clearly established leader.”  (Frazee, pp. 58-59.)

When you hear that the average pastor is moving every two years, this is a major (perhaps the number one) reason why; disillusionment with “followers” who, in reality, are not followers at all.  They are consumers; independent people, who ignore the spiritual leader at best, and resist him at worse. Some, at around 40-45, stay put but stop leading all, biding their time until retirement.

The PatternThe Principles:  Four Principles of Spiritual Pediatrics.

None is exempt; you never out grow these disciplines.None is exempt; you never out grow these disciplines.A.  Teaching—  (Verse 42)-  “They continued steadfastly in the apostles’
              doctrine.”
Doctrine is H.O.T.—Hands On Truth.

None is exempt; you never out grow these disciplines.Doctrine is H.O.T.—ands n ruth.Experts tell us that any effective group demands: 

(1) A respect for authority.
(2) A common creed—A shared understanding of the beliefs and practices
             that guide the group.

Doctrine addresses both.

A national survey exposed (Quote): This to this assessment by a cutting-edge church leader:

     “…many people assume that the churched Christian has a firm handle on
      the biblical theology that fuels the Christian life.  An extensive Barna
      Research Group study shows that ‘Americans’ Bible knowledge ins in the
      ball park, but often is off base.’  More specifically, the survey found that
      American have strongly held theological positions, but that these positions
      often conflict with biblical views.  The greatest challenges to churches
      may be dealing with the fact that most adults think they have both
      extensive and accurate Bible knowledge.”

Recently, I referenced one survey that tested church-going adults in 14 areas.  One of the most striking responses was that a high percentage of them agreed with these two statements:

    “The Bible teaches God helps those who help themselves.’

Barna found that 82 percent of Americans believe that is from the bible.

 The second statement: “The Holy Spirit is not a living entity but a symbol
                                         of  God’s presence or power.”12 percent of Christian choice a church on the basis of what is preached from the pulpit.

One writer says:12 percent of Christian choice a church on the basis of what is preached from the pulpit.One writer says:   “The post-modern people do not have any residual understanding of the
    triune God and his story.  To assume that they do is deadly to anyone who
    wants to communicate with them. But anyone who will drop the assumption
    and tell the story of the God who searches out the lost will find a curious
    audience waiting.”  (Frazee, 77)
Make no mistake about it: Our commitment to preach, passionately learn and life, the doctrine of Scripture will define us.

12 percent of Christian choice a church on the basis of what is preached from the pulpit.One writer says:   “The post-modern people do not have any residual understanding of the    triune God and his story.  To assume that they do is deadly to anyone who    wants to communicate with them. But anyone who will drop the assumption    and tell the story of the God who searches out the lost will find a curious    audience waiting.”  (Frazee, 77)Make no mistake about it: Our commitment to preach, passionately learn and life, the doctrine of Scripture will define us.In C.S. Lewis’ classic book, “The Screw Tape Letters,” (written in 1941), an older, experienced demon is counseling his young nephew, Wormwood, on how trip people up, to be a good demon. He says,

   “Keep his mind off the plan antithesis between True and False; and keep
    him in a state of mind I call ‘Christianity and…’ You know—…Christianity
    and the New Psychology, Christianity and the New Order.”

According to George Gallup, two-thirds of the people surveyed in this country could not name who delivered the Sermon on the Mount.

The Teaching

B. The Tie—  (Verse 42)— “They continued steadfastly in…doctrine and
                    fellowship.”

If you were a believer through the ‘80s, you are well aware of the Greek word “koinonia,” meaning, “having in common, partnership, sharing.”

This is the first occurrence of the word in the NT; you never find it in the Gospels.  It’s a church term.  Every time it’s used in the NT, it’s a believer sharing his time, his resources, himself with someone else.

Their fellowship was an expression of vibrant, authentic Christianity in action.  Jesus said, “They (outsiders) will know you belong to me by the love you show to each other.”

Question:  When individualism runs rampant in the church, when do non-believers get to see Christians loving each other in such a way that it compels them to run to Jesus?”

Francis Schaeffer has left with us a golden nugget:

           “Our relationship with each other is the criterion the world uses to
             judge whether our message is truthful—Christian community is the
             final apologetic.”

Pastor’s wife, Anne Ortlund writes:

     “Every congregation has a choice to be one of two things. You can choose
      to be a bag of marbles, single units that don’t effect each other except in
      collision. On Sunday morning you can choose to go to church or to sleep
      in: who really cares whether there are 192 or 193 marbles in a bag?

      Or you can choose to be a bag of grapes.  The juices begin to mingle,
      and there is no way to extricate yourself if you tried. Each is part of all.”

The Third pillar always rouses thunderous ‘Amens’ in a Baptist church,

The Teaching
The Tie

C. The Table— Verse 42, “They continued steadfastly…in the breaking
    of bread…”

This is a reference to eating together and to the celebration of the Lord’s supper at the end of a meal (as was done for centuries).  I want us to do this when we are all seated together at a meal in the new worship center.

A Public school kindergarten teacher gave her class a Show & Tell assignment:  To bring something to represent their religion.

     …The first little boy stood before the call and said, “My name is Benjamin.
             I’m Jewish and this is the Star of David.”

     …The second boy stood and said, “My name is Thomas. I’m Catholic and
             this is the Crucifix.”

     …The third boy said:  “My name is Bobby. I’m a Baptist and this is a
            casserole dish.”

Believers sharing a meal together has a long (and significant) history. It’s much more than just a social event.  I’m reading a fascinating book titled, “Whitebread Protestants: Food and Religion in American Culture”It started right here.  I encourageIt started right here.  I encourage…small groups to have a meal (at least a dessert) at every opportunity.
…you to invite people to your home
…invite new people out (Dutch treat is fine!)

It started right here.  I encourage…small groups to have a meal (at least a dessert) at every opportunity.…you to invite people to your home…invite new people out (Dutch treat is fine!)Take every opportunity to eat together.  And let me express my appreciation to each of you who amid vacation and ten other things are giving priority to be a part of a summer small group.  What you are doing is biblical (and very significant!)  These early believers structured their schedules to allow for time together—

Verse 46— “The continued daily…from house to house…”

You know when deep community is growing when it is spontaneous. 

“Spontaneity” is defined as “acting or taking place without any outside force or cause.” It’s …
…when people spend time together away from church. 
…when you look for opportunities (sometimes spur-of-the-moment)
       times to be together…  “Hey, what are you guys doing this
       evening?”
…when you feel comfortable just dropping by unannounced

I ran across an assessment of the wild popularity TV programs  Seinfeld and Friends.”

     “What both shows have in common is a small group of friends who
      go in and out of each other’s lives and apartments spontaneously
      more times in a half hour than most ‘real’ Americans experience in
      a year.  Seinfeld even promoted itself as a show ‘about nothing.’
      Why would busy Americans watch a show about nothing? Because
      it wasn’t about nothing—it was about a great group of friends
      spending a lot of spontaneous time together, talking about everyday
      stuff and loving every minute of it. Apparently so did the people who
      watched the shows.”  (Frazee, 122)

Community demands..

…Common authority
….A Common Creed

…Common Traditions

       There is no event, more blessed, more signifance than when we sit
        together at the Lord’s Table!  It is the Mount Everest of Community
        and oneness.

The teaching
The tie
The table

D. The Throne— “and in prayers…”

These baby believers cultivates the discipline of prayer.  Every meeting wasn’t a prayer meeting, but there is a definite article in the text, “and in the prayers.”  It was their regular practice when they got together.

It’s a mystery to me that people who profess Jesus Christ can go month after month, year after year, and never be drawn to a place, a time, an occasion when believers are bowed together before the Father in prayer.

When I was saved in a country church at age 12, my pastor, my mother, and my teachers taught me there were three non-essentials if I hoped to grow in my faith:

*To witness for Christ
*To testify in the church meetings,
*and to pray aloud among the believers. 

When these folks prayed…they shook the Throne in heaven, and the Throne at Rome.

They devoted themselves to prayer because they wanted more than anything to partner with God in what he was doing in their lives, their church; the empire!
This is the community that God formed, but people devoted themselves—this is not casual participation. It is not showing up at a service once in awhile This is people who devoted themselves to pray,

…How did they pray?
…Where did they learn such praying?

That’s the next series.

When I think of pediatrics and childrearing, there is a father-son duo that often comes to mind; a relationship that riveted the attention of millions.  Here they are, father and son— Earl and Tiger Woods.

Mr. Woods passed way, May 3, (2006) of prostate cancer, at age 74.  He said this:

    “Golf is secondary.  The most important thing is to make a kid a better
     person, the parent a better person, the parent a better parent and the
     relationship between them better.”

Mr. Woods never lost sight of what was… …essential (and what was)
…non-essential

Among the good things he and his son enjoyed together, what were the
priorities.

”Now, what do we do?”—   Now we know!