Acts of the Hamiltonians (1/5) - Introduction

It’s a funny video, and those who’ve ever visited different churches, especially in the states would eerily realize that’s exactly how church is supposed to look like to a lot of people. But what causes me to chuckle every time I see this video is that we used to want to be like that here. That’s what we wanted to be like two years ago, but ever since then God’s been revealing so much to this community about what it means to be church has been constantly transforming us and revealing to us His kingdom.

So I guess it’s no surprise that a brother once remarked that this church always seems like a moving target, that it’s changing all the time and doesn’t have any stability. In my heart I giggle a little bit and realize wow, isn’t that wonderful thing! God never stops shaping us and transforming us to be His people, His church, that dynamic picture that we see in the New Testament (NT).

So today, and next week as well, we’ll be walking through the quintessential piece of scripture that has now come to shape and define this community here at Westside Hamilton:

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 

There’s such a vivid picture of God’s kingdom, of His body, His church, of a people who lived beyond the pew. I’m certainly not going to say that we have all of these pieces that are described here, but this week we’ll take a look at some of the things that God has done here up till this point, and next week look at the pieces that God has just begun to open up here as we chronicle our journey of being the NT church.