A Not So Perfect Church

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A Not So Perfect Church

Acts 2:41-47

Speaker: Pastor
Series:

Unleashing the Power of Devotion: How Simple Steps Can Transform Your Church and Community

Have you ever wondered what makes a church truly impactful? What separates a thriving, vibrant congregation from one that’s barely hanging on? As I stood before the beautiful new building of Community Baptist Church, I was reminded that while aesthetics may draw people in, it’s the people themselves who truly make a church.

You see, a church isn’t just a place to go on Sundays. It’s not an address or a property. As the Apostle Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 12:27, “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” The church is a living, breathing organism made up of individual believers working together for God’s purpose.

So, what makes a church thrive? Let’s look at the early church in Acts 2 for some powerful insights.

The Power of Devotion

After Peter’s powerful sermon at Pentecost, 3,000 people came to faith in Christ. But what happened next is truly remarkable. Acts 2:42 tells us, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”

Notice the word “devoted.” This wasn’t a casual commitment or a one-time decision. The Greek word used here implies continuous action. These new believers were all in, consistently dedicating themselves to four key areas:

  1. The Apostles’ Teaching: They were hungry for God’s Word, eager to hear and apply it to their lives.
  2. Fellowship: They actively participated in the life of the local church, sharing their lives with one another.
  3. Breaking of Bread: This included both shared meals and remembering Christ’s sacrifice through communion.
  4. Prayer: They maintained an ongoing conversation with God, not just quick prayers before meals or bed.

The Impact of Devotion

What happened as a result of this devotion? Acts 2:43 says, “Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.” There was a palpable sense of God’s presence among them. Their devotion created an atmosphere where God chose to work in powerful ways.

But it didn’t stop there. Their commitment to each other and to spiritual growth had a ripple effect on the entire community. Acts 2:47 tells us they were “enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

This church wasn’t perfect – no church is. But their devotion to these spiritual disciplines made them incredibly attractive to those around them. People wanted what they had.

Applying This to Our Lives Today

So, what does this mean for us? How can we become a church that impacts our city and the world for eternity? It starts with simple devotion to spiritual next steps. Here are some practical ways to apply this:

  1. Commit to regular Bible study, both personally and in community with others.
  2. Prioritize fellowship with other believers, not just on Sundays but throughout the week.
  3. Remember Christ’s sacrifice regularly through communion and shared meals with other believers.
  4. Develop a consistent prayer life, maintaining ongoing conversation with God.

Remember, these aren’t just activities to check off a list. They’re opportunities to grow closer to God and to each other. As we devote ourselves to these practices, we create an environment where God can work in powerful ways.

A Challenge for You

I want to leave you with a challenging question: What kind of church would your church be if every member were just like you? Are you devoted to the teaching, to fellowship, to remembering Christ’s sacrifice, and to prayer? If not, what’s your next step?

Whether you’re a long-time believer or just exploring faith, I encourage you to take your next step today. Talk to someone about what that might look like for you. Remember, God uses our simple devotion to spiritual next steps to become a church that impacts our city and the world for eternity.

Let’s be a church that’s known for our devotion, our love for each other, and our impact on the world around us. As we do, we may just find ourselves living out the amazing reality described in Acts 2 – a church filled with awe, enjoying favor with all people, and seeing lives transformed by the power of God.

We hope you enjoyed the sermon and would love to see you in person. Plan your visit to Community Baptist Church in Spring Hill, Tennessee today!

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