A Devoted Church

My sermon yesterday dealt with "A Devoted Church." No matter where a church is; no matter what ostacles a church faces; a devoted church is a church God will bless. From Acts note what practices the church must be devoted to.

• A Devoted Church Is Devoted to Prayer--Prayer brought unity [1:14]; boldness in bearing witness [4:24-31]; God's miraculous work [12:5]; and confirmation of His will [13:3].
• A Devoted Church Is Devoted to Preaching--Other than the Day of Pentecost, you see preaching at the forefront at critical times in Acts [8:4; 11:20; 21:28]. There are two words for preaching that are primarily used in Acts. The first means "to herald." The church is to spread the message of the King far and wide. The second means "to tell good news." The message that Jesus died, rose again, and is exalted is good news. Also, the church must without apology call people to repentance.
• A Devoted Church Is Devoted to Discipleship--"Nothing builds up the church like truth" [John Stott]. You see discipleship throughout Acts [2:42; 4:2; 5:25; 14:22; 15:41; 18:23]. The church must teach theology [what am I to believe?] and ethics [how am I to live?]
• A Devoted Church Is Devoted to Missions--Acts 1:8. Missions must begin at home but also must reach to the end of the earth. When the church is truly on mission, it is closer to the heart of God than at any other time.

The church is to be devoted to the same things God is devoted to. When it is, the gates of hell will not prevail against it!