Acts 2:42

 

In Acts 2 we see the Holy Spirit moved in powerful ways. The verse we are focusing on today shows us what that resulted in as well as practices that sustained this movement. The Holy Spirit inspires these devotions, but we also must dedicate ourselves to them. 

 

  1. Devoted to learning … Early Christians couldn’t wait to learn more about Jesus. There was an eagerness to know more. We are all called to be devoted students of Jesus and His teachings. We don’t do just the bare minimum. Rather, we commit ourselves to learning about Jesus and His teachings for our entire lives. However, we don’t learn just to learn. We learn so we can be more like Jesus. We learn so that when we face challenges we can respond with how Jesus would. 
  2. Devoted to gathering … Early Christians also gathered together regularly to fellowship. Why, though? Why should we gather together? 
    1. God commands it.… There’s something special about gathering together. We can use the livestream occasionally, when needed, but coming together in person is different and necessary. 
    2. It keeps our priorities straight. … Going to church and worshiping to start the week helps us put God first. 
    3. It increases our joy. … There have been studies that show regularly attending church helps us live happier lives. 
    4. It reorients us to what truly matters … It gets us away from social media for a while and helps us remember what is actually important.
    5. It’s a visible sign of the victory of Jesus. … When we gather in church, it is a reminder to us, to others, and to the Devil himself that Jesus died and rose again. 
  3. Devoted to remembering … Early Christians broke bread together. Biblical scholars believe that this isn’t just eating together, but observing the Lord’s Supper. Taking the Lord’s Supper helps us remember who we are in Christ so we can live that out in the world. We are new creations, chosen and redeemed as citizens of Heaven, saved from sin. 
  4. Devoted to praying … Early Christians prayed regularly. Sometimes we get into slumps where we only pray when we’ve hit a wall or encountered a problem we can’t solve on our own. Instead, we should pray continuously. Here are four tips for improving your prayer life: 
    1. Use your own language. … You don’t need to pray in KJV Elizabethan English. Pray in your own words. Keep it real instead of trying to impress. 
    2. Keep a prayer list. … Sometimes we take a detour when we pray and forget what we were really praying for. A list helps to keep us on track. 
    3. Be silent. … This can be really difficult. It’s important to be intentionally silent for periods of prayer so the Spirit can speak to us. 
    4. Pray with others. …This is one of the best ways to learn to pray. 

 

We will never see change with just casual Christianity. If we want to see positive change, then devotion is required. 

 

For Further Study/Resources the Pastor Used to Prepare This Message

  • Exalting Jesus in Acts by Tony Merida
  • NIV Commentary (Acts) by Ajith Fernando
  • Acts: The Church Afire by Kent Hughes
  • Acts: The Christian Standard Commentary by Patrick Schreiner
  • The Gospel-Driven Church by Jared C. Wilson
  • The Mission of God by Christopher Wright