Restoring the Attitudes of New Testament Christianity

Larry Pasley

SCRIPTURE - Philippians 2:3-9 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; ⁴ do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. ⁵ Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, ⁶ who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, ⁷ but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. ⁸ And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. ⁹ Therefore also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name,

INTRODUCTION

1. About 200 years ago an effort was put forth by individuals in this country to turn away from denominationalism and manmade creeds and turn to the Bible; to restore New Testament Christianity.
2. They believed that it was possible to just be a Christian, a member of the church we read of in the New Testament.
3. So they sought to do Bible things in Bible ways, To speak where the Bible speaks, and be silent where the Bible is silent.      
4. That is what this church is all about. We strive to follow the pattern for the church and Christian living as set forth in the New Testament.
5. I want us to consider some of the attitudes that were characteristic of New Testament Christians.

I. ZEAL

1. Titus 2:11-14 - Christians, those who have been redeemed, are to be zealous for good works.
2. Zealous - “ardently devoted to a purpose, fervent, enthusiastic.”
3. The Christians in the New Testament were fervent and enthusiastic about their faith
4. Acts 5:42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.
5. Acts 8:4 Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.
6. Zeal alone is not enough - Romans 10:2-3 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. ³ For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. 
7. If we lack the same zeal and enthusiasm they had, can we really say that we have restored New Testament Christianity?

II. JOY

1. Christians are to be people of joy. Philippians 4:4 
2. We are to rejoice always, because in the Lord we have much to rejoice about.
3. Paul wrote this from prison.
4. Christians in the New Testament didn’t mope and complain. And many of them were persecuted for their faith.
5. They rejoiced because their persecution was a sign that they were doing what was right, and that God would reward them.
6. Christians today are to rejoice in trials also:
7. Matthew 5:11-12  "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. ¹² Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
8. 1 Peter 1:6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,
9. 1 Peter 4:12-13 ¹² Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; ¹³ but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
10. If we don’t have the joy that these Christians had, can we really say that we have restored New Testament Christianity?

III. BOLDNESS

1. Acts 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.
2. The book of Acts is a book of courage in the face of incredible opposition. The apostles were opposed by the Jewish counsel, James was killed by Herod, Peter was imprisoned. Paul was persecuted all across the Mediterranean world. But they never quit.
3. All Christians should have this boldness.
4. 2 Corinthians 3:12 Therefore, since we have such hope, we use great boldness of speech--
5. Philippians 1:14 and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
6. Hebrews 13:5b-6 For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." ⁶ So we may boldly say: "The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?"
7. How much opposition are we willing to face before we pack it in? Are we willing to take a stand for the truth, defend and promote it at all costs? If we aren’t, can we really say that we have restored New Testament Christianity?

IV. TRUST

1. Faith is belief and trust. It is one thing to believe in God, but our faith is often put to the test when we have to trust in God.
2. Paul had to learn to trust in God.
3. 2 Corinthians 1:9 Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead,
4. 2 Corinthians 3:4-5  And we have such trust through Christ toward God. ⁵ Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God,
5. By the end of his life he could say - 2 Timothy 1:12 For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.
6. Can we?
7. The Christians in the New Testament didn’t worry. They trusted in God to provide for them, guide them and deliver them.
8. We should trust in God also. 1 Timothy 6:17 Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.
9. Christians today are given to worry despite what the Lord says - Matthew 6:31-33  Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' ³² For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. ³³ But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
10. Worry is a thief, robbing us of our time, mental energy, sleep and health.
11. Instead, we are to seek first God’s kingdom, and His righteousness.
12. If we are not able to trust in God to deliver us, can we really say that we have restored New Testament Christianity?

V. TOGETHERNESS

1. The Christians in the New Testament felt a sense of community. They spent time together.
2. Acts 2:44-47  Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, ⁴⁵ and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. ⁴⁶ So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, ⁴⁷ praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
3. These Christians weren’t satisfied with meeting a few hours a week.
4. They were together often, sometimes on a daily basis.
5. Not out of a sense of duty, but because they wanted to.
6. They shared something special in common.
7. They were of one heart and one soul.
8. One sign of a congregation’s strength is how much time they spend together outside of the assembly.
9. Christians are to spend time together. That is the New Testament pattern.
10. If we are not spending this time together, developing the relationships that will bind us and sustain us as a congregation, can we really say that we have restored New Testament Christianity?

CONCLUSION

1. Restoration is an honorable and scriptural goal.
2. Are we sure we are devoted to restoring New Testament Christianity? All of it?
3. Attitude is just as important as faith and practice.