Scripture Focus: Acts 2:42-47 – “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. [43] And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. [44] And all who believed were together and had all things in common. [45] And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. [46] And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, [47] praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”
Also: Acts 5:42 – “ And every day, in the temple and from house to house [oikos], they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.”
Oikos – house, family, household. Your oikos can be understood as your people and/or the place of your people
Each one of us lives at the intersection of four worlds:
1. Your biological oikos (family)
2. Your vocational oikos (work)
3. Your geographical oikos (immediate community, neighborhood)
4. your volitional oikos (where we spend our discretionary time)
We are to intentionally consider these four worlds and view them as the places where God desires the Kingdom to manifest through us.
I. The Organic Flow of Oikos (41-45)
A. Activities in the homes (41-42)
1. Learning – “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching…”
2. Belonging – “…and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread…”
3. Praying – “…and the prayers.”
B. Experiencing God’s power (43) And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.
C. Communal sharing (44) – “And all who believed were together and had all things in common. [45] And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.
II. The Continued Practice of Temple Participation (2:46 & 5:42)
“And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes [oikos], they received their food with glad and generous hearts…(Acts 5:42) “ And every day, in the temple and from house to house [oikos], they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.”
III. The Powerful Outflow of Temple & Oikos (2:47)
“…praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”
1. Worshipful hearts – they enjoyed God!
2. Favor of God – His presence and pleasure
3. Positive testimony in the community with people
4. Salvations and growth = KINGDOM FRUITFULNESS