Christianity is a team Sport
Message Summary: “They devoted themselves.” If you had to list what you’re devoted to, what would it be? What you are devoted to is what you really value. What is valued becomes your culture and culture determines everything. You were created to change your world. You have a calling and a place. Jesus lives in you, and you bring Jesus with you to the place that you are. You weren’t designed to just “make it” you were designed to thrive. What culture are you creating? Culture eats strategy for breakfast. Daily you are declaring in your home what you do and what you value. Your kids will be shaped not by what you say but what you do.
The people referencing in the Acts passage valued fellowship. Christianity is a team sport. The odds are against you in today’s culture to be a part of a community. There are fifty-nine “one another’s” in the bible. God did not create you to live your life alone. God wants you to be in connection with other people. In America, people value being independent, but this is in contrary to God’s goal for us. God did not create you simply for friendship with other people, that’s not enough. He wants you to have Level 10 relationships. To have someone to talk to about things that matter to you. They should know the good, bad, and ugly and they love you anyway. The goal in this relationship is to make each other better. You may have to say no to some good things to make room for great people. God created the church to be an outgrowth of Level 10 relationships. You can’t thrive without these kinds of relationships. People will let you down, but you still have to try.
What is the state of your relationships? Do you have someone holding you accountable? Accountability can be a safety net and if you have holes in your net, this can be directly correlated by how honest you are about your struggles. True accountability is about belief that causes behavior. We can only be fully known when others point out those beliefs that we can’t see ourselves. We can’t fully rely and trust ourselves alone. Isolation is the enemy. Nothing good happens in isolation. We all have blind spots, and we don’t have enough to overcome it all on our own, but Jesus makes up the difference. Friends can also make up for it in those places where we are lacking. The gospel says that Jesus provides so that you don’t have to live in hell right now. Not just to survive, but to thrive.
- In this season of renewal, are there things you are devoted to that you should let go of?
- How can you be more involved in the local community?
- What are some ways you can more deeply devote yourself to God’s teaching?
- Do you have people in your life that can help point out your blind spots? How can you find those people, if not?
Acts 2:42-47 – “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”
Jeremiah 17:9 – The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?
