Paster Matt Tyson New Series you are the church devoted Part 1

 You are the Church: Devoted

Today, Pastor Matt Tyson led us through the powerful passage of Acts 2:42-47, focusing on what it truly means to be the church – a community devoted to God and to one another. His message, titled "You are the Church: Devoted," challenged us to reflect on whether our modern understanding of church aligns with the vibrant picture painted in these early verses.

Point 1: Be a Church Devoted to Jesus the King

Pastor Tyson began by reminding us that the church is God's plan, but it has often been shaped into something far from its original intent. It's not meant to be primarily a social club, a business, a financial institution, or a corporation. The early church in Acts 2:42-43 was fundamentally devoted to what Christ taught, centering their lives and community around King Jesus and his ministry. This devotion to the apostles, those who walked directly with Jesus, meant a deep commitment to the teachings He entrusted to them. Being a devoted church starts with an unwavering dedication to Jesus Christ and His Word. This naturally leads to the church coming together because the Lord's Word is good and essential for our growth and unity. The early saints were steadfast in the apostles' teaching, in fellowship, and in prayer – the very foundations of a healthy church. Verse 43 tells us that "everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles," highlighting the power of God at work in a community devoted to Him.

Point 2: Being Dedicated to One Another (Acts 2:44-46)

The devotion of the early church wasn't just vertical (towards God); it was also horizontal (towards each other). Pastor Tyson emphasized that they were dedicated to one another, not just looking inward with selfishness. Instead, they served within the church, fostering deep relationships rooted in Christ. A tangible expression of this devotion was their generosity to those in need. Referencing Luke 6:38, Pastor Tyson reminded us that generosity leads to fulfillment and a return. He also pointed out that in a self-centered world, people are often "dumbfounded" by genuine help, which can be a powerful witness to God's love. We are called to love others as Christ first loved us, without expecting anything in return, motivated by His grace. This devotion fostered encouraging fellowship, with believers being together and praying together (as echoed in Hebrews 10:20-22, urging us to draw near to God with sincere hearts). This active devotion to one another resulted in them eating together "with gladness and simplicity of heart," a joyful and sincere love that flowed from their commitment to each other.

Point 3: Dedicated to the Great Commission (Acts 2:47)

Pastor Tyson then turned to verse 47: "...praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." This illustrates the natural outflow of a church devoted to Jesus and to one another – a dedication to the Great Commission. Their lives of praise and genuine community created an "attractive faith" that garnered favor with outsiders. However, ultimately, it was the Lord who added to their number. This highlights our role: it's those people who we "get to" reach. We are called to actively chase after them, tell them about Jesus, and proclaim Jesus in everything we do.  

The Takeaway: You Are the Church

Pastor Tyson concluded with a powerful and personal challenge: You are the Church. Being devoted to Christ and to one another should lead to an attractive faith for those outside. If we, as individuals, chase after Him daily, consistently come together, help one another, and seek God's presence, the church will be a place where people can genuinely find love. Why would anyone want to join a church perceived as mean or argumentative? Instead, we are called to be like the early church in Acts 2 – devoted to one another, creating a community that reflects the love of Christ and draws others in. The church is supposed to come together for the Lord's Word because it is good.

A Concluding Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we thank you for the powerful example of the early church in Acts 2, a community devoted to your Son, Jesus Christ, and to one another. Lord, we confess that we often fall short of this ideal. We pray for a renewed spirit of devotion within our hearts and within our church. Help us to center our lives on Jesus, to be steadfast in your Word, to cultivate genuine fellowship, and to be fervent in prayer. Empower us to love one another with the same selfless love that Christ showed us, that our unity and generosity may be a compelling witness to those around us. Give us a heart to actively reach out to those who don't know you, to proclaim your name boldly, and to create a church that is truly a place where love abounds and lives are transformed. May we be the church you intend us to be, for your glory. Amen.

Self-Directed Learning Questions:

1. Personal Devotion: Reflect on your own life. In what one specific area – your prayer life, study of Scripture, fellowship with other believers, or acts of service – do you feel God is calling you to greater devotion this week, based on the example of the early church in Acts 2? What practical step can you take in that area?

2. Love in Action: Consider your interactions within your church community. How can you more intentionally demonstrate the "gladness and simplicity of heart" in your relationships with fellow believers, mirroring the spirit of unity described in Acts 2:46?

3. Reaching Out: The early church had "favor with all the people," and the Lord added to their number. Who is one person in your sphere of influence who doesn't yet know Jesus? How can you, through your devoted life and perhaps your words, be a light to them this week?

4. Being the Church: Pastor Tyson emphasized, "You are the Church." What is one practical way you can actively contribute to the health, love, and devotion of your local church body in the coming days?

5. The Word and Prayer: How can you deepen your commitment to studying God's Word and to prayer, both individually and corporately, to fuel a greater devotion to Jesus and to your church community, following the example of the early believers in Acts 2:42?