From The Building, To The Porch, To The Streets ('We don't need a building to praise')

Matt Richards

Acts 5:12-15 Through the work of the apostles, many God-signs were set up among the people, many wonderful things done. They all met regularly and in remarkable harmony on the Temple porch named after Solomon. But even though people admired them a lot, outsiders were wary about joining them. On the other hand, those who put their trust in the Master were added right and left, men and women both. They even carried the sick out into the streets and laid them on stretchers and bedrolls, hoping they would be touched by Peter's shadow when he walked by. They came from the villages surrounding Jerusalem, throngs of them, bringing the sick and bedeviled. And they all were healed.

Here is a picture from last night. We did church under Great Yarmouth pier. Never noticed this before, but the disciples in Acts met in homes, the temple, and here in the porch of the church building. At this time many were too frightened to join them, but they came to the porch. You know many people have been apprehensive to come to a building called church. But there is a place between the altar and the people. Between the Glory and the street, called the porch. In doing Church on the street and on the beach we have seen many come who would not otherwise step into the presence of Jesus. You know here in this passage, it went from the building, the temple to the porch, it then went to the streets. There can be such a move of God that people bring the sick out of their houses to be touched by God. Where those fearful, but inquisitive become spectators at the porch, to those that say, "what must I do"? To those that can't wait for the building to open again, but bring their sick out into the street. Maybe they got a revelation. You know if it can happen in the church, and if it can happen in the porch, then you know what it can happen in the street. There's a move of God coming from the church building to the porch, to the streets. You know we had a spontaneous Holy Ghost song last night, "we don't need a building to praise". Those that are waiting for church buildings to re-open are missing it. Prayer:

Thank You Father that we don't need a building to praise. I am the building. Thank You that it can go from the church, to the porch, to the streets. Let Your kingdom come, Your will be done. Help me to see things the way You see things and praise You today in Jesus' name amen.