What if you’ve been missing something when it comes to church? What if you’ve been looking at church as a service and as a result, it just doesn’t seem all that important. But what if God created the church to be so much more. Something so vital to your life that you can’t live without. And what if all that’s missing is this one key piece?

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MESSAGE NOTES

SO Much of the New Testament is dedicated to our interpersonal relationship with each other because it is so important to God.

 

[Romans 12:9]

“Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.”

 

[Romans 12:10-16]

““Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!”

 

How would you summarize this instruction? DEVOTION

That’s what’s missing in a lot of experience with Church

 

  • It’s the difference between a cop and a coach
  • The cop wants me to obey the rules
  • The coach wants me to be a successful athlete

 

  • Is it possible that you have looked at the church as a courtroom filled with prosecutors rather than a locker room of teammates working together toward to win the same game?

 

 

[Acts 2:4]

“Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all.”

 

[Acts 2:42]

All the believers devoted themselves…

 

 

[Acts 2:42b-47]

“…to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.  A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity— all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.”

 

Christians Gather for the Teaching

 

  • That standard for the Christian is the Bible
  • The MOST amazing thing is that the teachings of the apostles do not center around the code of the prophets, which we failed to follow, but around the person of Jesus who never failed

 

Christians Gather for Fellowship

  • You can be alone in a crowd.
  • You can see everyone and not be close to anyone, right?
  • Being devoted to fellowship was more than sharing a service, it was sharing their life

 

Christians Gather for Prayer

  • When God’s people gather in unity and prayer, God shows up and shows off!
  • Prayer is a constant reminder that we can’t fix everything but the one who can, wants to hear from you

 

 

[Romans 12:1]

“Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.”

 

What was the result of their devotion to the teaching, to fellowship and prayer?

  • Tremendous acts of Generosity 
  • Sincere expressions of Worship
  • Spiritual Awakening in the lives of their friends, family and neighbors 

 

WHO DOESN’T WANT THIS????

 

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Application Questions

  1. What stood out to you from this message and why?
  2. What is one thing God is telling you to START doing because of this message?
  3. What is one thing God is telling you to STOP doing because of this message?
  4. How will this message change how you act at home, work and in the your relationships?