[The disciples and those after Pentecost] devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
Acts 2:42-47
Awe came upon everyone because many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
My sermon from the 4th Sunday of Easter (April 26, 2026) on Acts 2:42-47.
So last Sunday, while you gathered for a worship led by Rev. Elaine Burkert, my family and I were driving back from Boston. We actually woke up earlier than we usually do on a Sunday to grab a little breakfast and then wait in line for over an hour to exit a giant cruise ship. For the prior five days, we traveled through the Atlantic Ocean and spent 24 hours in Bermuda. This was the first time we had, as a family, taken a cruise together and if I had to sum up the entire experience in one word – the word I’d use would be “abundant.” Cruises are meant to be an all inclusive experience full of everything. There was, for example, all kinds of food with a buffet that included multiple omelet, crepe, carving, and ice cream stations. In the evening we could visit an Irish pub, a French Bistro, a Noodle Shop, and still have time to get a third dessert back at the buffet if we wanted to. Since it was April, walking around in flip flops, a hoodie, and holding an adult beverage was everyone’s default attire. And kids could, if they wanted, participate in all kinds of age appropriate clubs filled with activities and their own exclusive events. For those who were a bit competitive, a variety of game shows and trivia competitions took place all day long. And every night was filled with hours of karaoke, Broadway-like shows, and DJ’s who did everything they could to keep you on the dance floor. After spending all day eating, playing, and eating some more, we came back to a room with a made bed, scrubbed toilet, and towels hung neatly in the bathroom. Cruises are an experience where abundance is at the heart of everything we do. And yet the freedom to eat, drink, dance, laugh, and shop whenever we wanted was held together by hundreds of other people who did all the cooking, housekeeping, and entertaining that allowed us to thrive.
Now today’s reading from the Acts of the Apostles is a passage that can surprise us. The book of Acts was crafted by the same person who wrote the gospel according to Luke. And where Luke focused on Jesus’ ministry to the Cross, Acts gave theological language and deep spiritual meaning to what happened after that first Easter morning. At this point in the story, the early church had already watched Jesus ascend to the right hand of God; had replaced Judas with another disciple to be an apostle; and then experienced Pentecost – when the Holy Spirit empowered the disciples to share God’s inclusive story. It had only been mere days or weeks since Jesus’ death and resurrection. Yet the community itself had begun to change as folks who never experienced Jesus face-to-face were now becoming part of the church. We might assume the early disciples would have been a little hesitant to fully integrate these new people into the community. So it would make sense to us to be a little cautious around those who had never heard Jesus utter one of his stories for his own lips. But what the church did instead was to do something that feels a little strange. These old disciples of Jesus as well as those who were brand new sold everything they owned and then, as a community, shared with each other whatever money, food, and resources they might need.
We might assume the community at this time wasn’t very large or were pretty poor so it would take much to keep everyone fed and housed. Or maybe these early followers of Jesus were way more faithful and a little holier than us so they should be totally cool sharing their money and resources. If we were there, these first believers would be the people we’d be fine sharing our stuff with. But we can also choose to spiritualize these words, treating them as a kind of legend that shouldn’t impact our faith and our life. We, in our own ways, try to mimic this behavior by donating money to the church as well as bringing all our stuff to the Trash and Treasure rummage sale. Yet I’m sure none of us contacted a real estate broker or our financial advisor on our way to church today to see what kind of check we could bring if we sold our home, books, jewelry, cars, investments, and more. The early disciples didn’t only sell what they already owned; they also assumed they’d have all they needed to face the future that was on its way. They trusted their needs would be met but there would be a debate about what was a need and want. And letting someone else – either a community, or a committee, or even me be the one who decides what you need – and what you don’t – is a little nerve wracking. The longer we sit wondering what this moment in Acts might have been like, the more anxious, worried, and concerned we get. It wouldn’t take much to assume the newer folks to the community hadn’t earned access to these resources since they didn’t see the Romans nail Jesus to the Cross. And those who showed up after the resurrection with a check in their hands could easily discover as if they were only there to cater to whatever wants and needs the older crew had. Selling and combining their assets together would have felt like a constraint on who good their life could be. And yet what the community made up of older and newer followers of Jesus experienced instead was an abundance full of grace, hope, and love.
And what that abundance looked like was lived out by spending time together with their God and with one another. We’re told they worshipped in the Holy Temple and then shared meals in their homes. Acts doesn’t say they immediately went back to work or school or immediately left to tell others who Jsus is. Rather, they did the hard work of being a community – together. They had to take the time to discover what gifts and resources they had and ponder what their needs actually were. They had to become a place where people regardless of their health, abilities, intelligence, age, or background could really worship their God. Their personal stories – full of hurt and joy – would shape what the gospel really meant to them. And everyone would need to choose to change how they communicated, interacted, and lived with one another so conflict, jealousy, fear, and anxiety wouldn’t tear them apart. They would need to pay attention to what they would need to give up so they could really be for one another. The pooling of resources wouldn’t constrain what their life could be. It would, rather, be their way of making sure their fears, worries, concerns, and biases wouldn’t be the only thing that defined them. Their experience of Jesus – if it was in-person or through faith – would be the abundant gift that changed them. And as much as we imagine the good life being like a cruise that lasts forever, the life Jesus actually brings us into is bound by a holy connection that doesn’t end. It’s a life that trusts you are fully known and believes the ways we let anxiety, fear, and scarcity limit the love we share won’t limit who we can be. We get to be a community who doesn’t let others do the hard work needed to help us live together. We get to use our own gifts of time, talent, attention, and energy to show others they are not alone. We get to care; to serve; to show up; to listen; to pray; to offer help to those who need it; and to do the harder thing of asking for help when we need it too. And when we feel the urge to keep this life only to ourselves, that’s when the Cross-shaped life of Jesus pushes us to live out God’s inclusive love in all we say and do.
Amen.