Sermon Discussion Guide TOGETHERNESS (From the ACTING OUT sermon series - pt. 5 of 8) Rev. Mark Scarr February 2nd, 2014 Key Scriptures: John 13:35, 17:20-23; Ephesians 1:15-16, 4:1-3; Colossians 3:12-13; Psalm 133 Growth of the Early Church: Acts 1:15; 2:41,47; 4:4; 5:14; 5:28; 6:1,7; 21:20 Aunified church is an unstoppable church. The key scriptures above focus on togetherness; read the scriptures and share your thoughts. The word together is defined as in one accord (NIV) or (KJV) homothumadon (Greek). homo means: same, one or like; thumos means: desire, passion, longing or mind Today s sermon notes examine the 12 occurrences of the Greek word homothumadon that are found in the New Testament. Eleven of those occurrences are found in the book of Acts, and one in the book of Romans. Open your group up with a prayer. This is only a guide. Select the points that you want to discuss. 1. Praising God together (Romans 15:5-6) 5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 15:5-6, NIV) This is the only time that homothumadon is used outside of the book of Acts, and it is a call to praise God together. This verse represented a call for the Roman believers to worship God with one mind and one voice. 1
2. Praying together (Acts 1:14) They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. (Acts 1:14, NIV) The first time that homothumadon (togetherness) is mentioned in Acts is linked with prayer. What message does this convey about the importance of prayer in the church? 3. Waiting on God together (Acts 2:1) When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. (Acts 2:1, NIV) Do you recall the definition of homothumadon? homo: same, one or like; thumos: desire, passion, longing or mind If you take the definition of homothumadon and then re-examine this verse you will notice that it s not talking about a location, but rather a unity (togetherness) of spirit. What differences do you think that the believers of Pentecost had to overcome while waiting on God? Can you imagine being locked up in a room with 120 people for 10 days? What differences would you have to overcome to stay united? 4. Worshiping and fellowshipping together (Acts 2:46-47) Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:46-47, NIV) Read the above verses. The early church enjoyed worshiping and fellowshipping together. Do you fellowship with other believers throughout the week? What are the benefits of fellowshipping with other believers outside of the church? 5. Audibly praying together (Acts 4:24) 24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. "Sovereign Lord, they said, you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. 31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. (Acts 4:24, 31 NIV) Read the above verses. When the early church audibly prayed together, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Share an occasion of experiencing God s presence during a prayer meeting and how it affected you. 2
6. Meeting together (Acts 5:12) 12 The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon s Colonnade. 13 No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. 14 Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. 15 As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. 16 Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed. (Acts 5:12-16, NIV) Read the above verses. What impact did the early church have on the unsaved? What lesson can today s church learn from this example? 7. Working together (Acts 7:57) At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, (Acts 7:57, NIV) 57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, 58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul. (Acts 7:57, KJV) The word homothumadon used in this scripture is not in reference to the church. The members of the Sanhedrin were angry over the message that Steven had preached so they covered their ears and ran up to him with one accord and stoned him. In this world, there is a real enemy; Satan is out to destroy the church, but Jesus is greater than the enemy. A united church can do much more for the kingdom of God than the attacks of the enemy. A united church is an unstoppable church. Meditate on the following verses: 4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. (1 John 4:4, KJV) 18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18, KJV) 8. Growing together (Acts 8:6) When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. (Acts 8:6, NIV) And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. (Acts 8:6, KJV) The early church grew together as Philip spoke. Have you been part of a service where you and the congregation were so hungry for the word of God that you lost track of time, and just wanted to learn more? 3
9. Petitioning together (Acts 12:20) He had been quarreling with the people of Tyre and Sidon; they now joined together and sought an audience with him. After securing the support of Blastus, a trusted personal servant of the king, they asked for peace, because they depended on the king s country for their food supply. (Acts 12:20, NIV) This illustration is not about the church in homothumadon, it s about the people of Tyre and Sidon bringing a petition of peace before Herod. There is power in unity when the church gathers together and brings their petitions to God. Can you share an example of this? 10. Deciding together (Acts 15:25) 24 We have heard that some went out from us without our authorization and disturbed you, troubling your minds by what they said. 25 So we all agreed to choose some men and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul (Acts 15:24-25, NIV) Read Acts 15. At this time the church was growing, and faced a difficult challenge, and decided on a solution together. At times it is necessary for people within the church to make difficult decisions. However, this can be difficult due to the various opinions held by different believers. What would happen if the early church in Acts 15 were divided on a solution? How can the church protect itself against disunity during difficult decisions? 11. Attacking together (Acts 18:12) While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews of Corinth made a united attack on Paul and brought him to the place of judgment. (Acts 18:12, NIV) 12. Attacking together (Acts 19:29) 29 And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre. (Acts 19:29, KJV) The word homothumadon used in the two scriptures above (Acts 18:12) (Acts 19:29) are not in reference to the church; it refers to the persecution that came to the church, and Paul. 4
Diving Deeper (optional) Many people in the church come from different cultures, are different age groups, and have different interests, but the good news is that God has brought us all together in Christ. One of the keys that brought growth to the early church is that they worked out their differences and were united in spirit. Do you have unforgiveness in your heart towards another believer? Ask God to help you to forgive, and walk in love. When we get a hold of God s vision as a church, and learn to pray together in unity and in love we are going to see great things happen for the kingdom of God. Remember, the more unified that we get, the more unstoppable we will be. REVIEW ANY ASSIGNMENTS OR COMMITMENTS MADE DURING YOUR PREVIOUS MEETING. 5