We are busy people. We are consumed with our daily activities. Some activities are necessary for us to us to provide financially for our families. But others we willingly add to our busy schedule. For some of you, it is your children's music lessons or soccer practices. For others of you, it is your music group or hobby. Perhaps you fill your time with exercise or fishing or flying. These are all wonderful activities which God has given to us to enjoy (1 Tim. 4:4). And we ought to enjoy them and thank our God for allowing us such earthly pleasure.

However, there is a danger in all of our busyness. We can begin to view our involvement in the church as just another activity, which contributes to our busy schedule. But the church of Jesus Christ is far more than an activity. First and foremost, the church is a community of believers who lovingly serve each other. The early church viewed themselves as a community rather than an activity. We can learn much from their example.

We get our first picture of the early church in Acts 2, when 3,000 people were added to the church. We read that "all those who (1) had believed were together, and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions, and (2) were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. And day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals (3) together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved" (Acts 2:44-47).

When we read these words, we encounter a group of people who had a natural love for each other, because they (1) had believed in the saving gospel of Jesus Christ. Many of these people had conspired together against Jesus to have Him crucified. But now, through the preaching of Peter, they had repented of their sin and believed in Jesus, who was both Lord and Messiah, to forgive them of all of their transgressions (verse 38). Their faith produced a natural (2) sharing of their possessions. So great was their common bond, that when there was a need within their community, others were willing to sell what they owned to meet the need (verse 45). They had "all things in common" (verse 44), their faith as well as their possessions. They were (3) together with one another in various settings: in the temple as well as in their homes (verse 46). They were attracted simply because of their common faith: "day by day continuing with one mind" (verse 46). Notice that there were no programs or activities which brought them together or filled their time once they were together.

This gives us a great picture of the church. They were together and shared all they had with each other because they considered themselves to be a community. For the early church, their involvement in church wasn't simply another activity, it was an expression of their understanding of community.

So, how do you view your involvement in Rock Valley Bible Church? Do you view our church as a community or as an activity? Do you attend our Sunday services or midweek gatherings merely to get something out of it? Or, do you come to serve others in the community? Throughout the week, do you pray for each other in accordance with the prayer sheet we publish each Sunday? Are you with other members of the community during the week? A community transcends a once-a-week activity. A community will be characterized by sacrificially sharing with one another and being together.

The Bible instructs us to ...

· love one another (John 13:34; 15:17).
· be devoted to one another (Rom. 12:10).
· give preference to one another in honor (Rom. 12:10).
· be of the same mind toward one another (Rom. 12:16).
· serve one another (Gal. 5:13).
· bear one another' burdens (Gal. 6:2).
· regard one another as more important (Phil. 2:3).
· comfort one another (1 Thess. 4:18).
· encourage one another (1 Thess. 5:11).
· confess your sins to one another (James 5:16)
· pray for one another" (James 5:16).
· keep fervent in your love for one another (1 Pet. 4:8).

Do you obey these commands? Mere attendance at church activities will leave many of these exhortations undone. It is only within the context of a loving community where the Biblical instructions to the church will be carried out. At Rock Valley Bible Church, we need to keep in mind that our "programs" exist not as an end to themselves, but as a means to facilitate the community, by building up each other up in love (Eph. 4:16).

I rejoice that God has given us such a community at Rock Valley Bible Church, where these things naturally happen at our main Sunday gathering and throughout the week in many of our homes. May we "excel still more" (1 Thess. 4:10).