What's It Going to Take? (Acts 2:42-47) | Let Down Your Nets | Nathan Reed

Well, good morning, Well, good morning, church family. I church family. I church family. I want you to turn want you to turn want you to turn with me to with me to with me to Acts chapter 2. Acts chapter 2. Acts chapter 2. Acts chapter Acts chapter Acts chapter 2, that's where we'll be 2, that's where we'll be 2, that's where we'll be in the Word today. That's in the Word today. That's in the Word today. That's about 3/4 of the way through about 3/4 of the way through about 3/4 of the way through the Bible, and while you're at it the Bible, and while you're at it the Bible, and while you're at it , I want to add , I want to add , I want to add my greeting this my greeting this my greeting this morning to those here in the morning to those here in the morning to those here in the room and those room and those room and those listening to us online. listening to us online. listening to us online. My name is Nate, I'm My name is Nate, I'm My name is Nate, I'm one of the pastors here one of the pastors here one of the pastors here at Tysons, and I'm just at Tysons, and I'm just at Tysons, and I'm just overwhelmed with overwhelmed with overwhelmed with gratitude for the gratitude for the gratitude for the opportunity to wrap up opportunity to wrap up opportunity to wrap up our series on our series on our series on vision this vision this vision this morning. And as you morning. And as you morning. And as you open open open Acts chapter 2, I have to Acts chapter 2, I have to Acts chapter 2, I have to confess something confess something confess something a little embarrassing. a little embarrassing. A few weeks ago I A few weeks ago I realized that I'm realized that I'm realized that I'm not 20 anymore. You see, not 20 anymore. You see, not 20 anymore. You see, soccer is one of soccer is one of soccer is one of those sports that those sports that those sports that I've always I've always I've always loved playing, loved playing, loved playing, even as an adult even as an adult even as an adult , and I don't know if , and I don't know if , and I don't know if it was leftover it was leftover it was leftover excitement from the excitement from the excitement from the World Cup or something else, World Cup or something else, World Cup or something else, but early this but early this but early this fall I just had the fall I just had the fall I just had the urge to urge to urge to get back on the field. get back on the field. So I literally So I literally dusted off my dusted off my dusted off my boots, signed up for the boots, signed up for the boots, signed up for the league, and came to the league, and came to the league, and came to the first game, and I'm a pretty first game, and I'm a pretty first game, and I'm a pretty active guy. But active guy. But active guy. But I didn't do any I didn't do any I didn't do any training or strength training or strength training or strength training to training to training to prepare for the prepare for the prepare for the season, and I season, and I season, and I mean, I've played mean, I've played mean, I've played before. It had only been a before. It had only been a before. It had only been a few years since my few years since my few years since my last game, so I last game, so I last game, so I figured everything would figured everything would figured everything would come back naturally come back naturally . You know. And I have to . You know. And I have to . You know. And I have to say, when the season say, when the season say, when the season started, I felt started, I felt started, I felt pretty good. I pretty good. I pretty good. I thought, "Okay, thought, "Okay, thought, "Okay, maybe I'm still capable of something.

maybe I'm still capable of something. maybe I'm still capable of something. " Until the " Until the " Until the second game. So, I'm second game. So, I'm second game. So, I'm tall and skinny, so tall and skinny, so tall and skinny, so in soccer I usually in soccer I usually in soccer I usually play up front, and play up front, and play up front, and early in the second early in the second early in the second half of that second game half of that second game half of that second game I found myself alone I found myself alone I found myself alone with the ball, and there with the ball, and there with the ball, and there was only the goalkeeper in front of me was only the goalkeeper in front of me . I'm running and thinking to . I'm running and thinking to . I'm running and thinking to myself, "This is it, my myself, "This is it, my myself, "This is it, my World Cup moment." World Cup moment." I'm telling you, all I I'm telling you, all I had to do had to do was let the ball was let the ball was let the ball fly over fly over fly over the goalkeeper, and it would have been a the goalkeeper, and it would have been a the goalkeeper, and it would have been a goal. And two people goal. And two people goal. And two people watching from the sidelines would go watching from the sidelines would go watching from the sidelines would go crazy with crazy with crazy with delight. But as I delight. But as I delight. But as I swung to swung to swung to hit the ball, my hit the ball, my hit the ball, my right ankle...And right ankle...And right ankle...And before I knew before I knew before I knew what happened, I was lying what happened, I was lying what happened, I was lying on the ground, the goalkeeper on the ground, the goalkeeper on the ground, the goalkeeper holding the ball, and my holding the ball, and my holding the ball, and my World Cup moment was World Cup moment was World Cup moment was gone. And all I could gone. And all I could gone. And all I could do was do was do was limp to the edge of the limp to the edge of the limp to the edge of the field. The next day field. The next day field. The next day I found out it was I found out it was I found out it was just a severe just a severe just a severe sprain, but the sprain, but the sprain, but the season was over for me season was over for me season was over for me . So . So . So I'm okay now. I'm I'm okay now. I'm I'm okay now. I'm not telling you this to make not telling you this to make not telling you this to make you feel you feel you feel sorry for me. It's like I'm fine, I'm fine sorry for me. It's like I'm fine, I'm fine sorry for me. It's like I'm fine, I'm fine . But I . But I . But I say this because, say this because, say this because, frankly, it frankly, it frankly, it illustrates how we illustrates how we illustrates how we tend to view tend to view tend to view achievement. If achievement. If achievement. If you think about it, we want you think about it, we want you think about it, we want quick results quick results quick results without putting in any effort.

without putting in any effort. without putting in any effort. I wanted to become a great I wanted to become a great I wanted to become a great football player, but I didn't football player, but I didn't football player, but I didn't put in the time and put in the time and put in the time and energy needed energy needed energy needed to make it to make it to make it happen. And we are happen. And we are happen. And we are tempted to do so in tempted to do so in tempted to do so in many areas, not many areas, not many areas, not just fitness, but also just fitness, but also just fitness, but also home improvement, home improvement, home improvement, career, or raising career, or raising career, or raising children. We just children. We just children. We just think that if think that if think that if we watch enough we watch enough we watch enough YouTube videos, or YouTube videos, or YouTube videos, or write the best AI write the best AI queries, or buy queries, or buy queries, or buy the right hardware the right hardware , we can avoid , we can avoid , we can avoid the work and get the the work and get the the work and get the same results, right? same results, right? same results, right? This is what we This is what we This is what we strive for. And to be strive for. And to be strive for. And to be honest, it's very easy honest, it's very easy honest, it's very easy to apply the to apply the to apply the same approach to our same approach to our same approach to our faith. But faith. But faith. But it doesn't work in all these areas. it doesn't work in all these areas. The best results The best results often come from committing to often come from committing to the right things. And I the right things. And I start with this, because start with this, because start with this, because as we as a church as we as a church as we as a church family embark on family embark on family embark on this new five-year this new five-year this new five-year vision to cast our vision to cast our vision to cast our nets and let more nets and let more nets and let more people people people know the know the know the abundant life in Jesus, this abundant life in Jesus, this abundant life in Jesus, this vision will not vision will not vision will not happen by happen by happen by itself. Yes, that's true.

itself. Yes, that's true. itself. Yes, that's true. God does not need God does not need God does not need any of us to any of us to any of us to bring people to bring people to bring people to Himself, but by His Himself, but by His Himself, but by His grace He chooses to grace He chooses to grace He chooses to act when His body, the act when His body, the act when His body, the church, dedicates church, dedicates church, dedicates itself to doing His itself to doing His itself to doing His work His way. And that's what work His way. And that's what work His way. And that's what I I I like so much about this like so much about this like so much about this vision. This is truly a vision. This is truly a vision. This is truly a renewed renewed renewed commitment to do what commitment to do what commitment to do what God commands God commands God commands the churches to do. If you the churches to do. If you the churches to do. If you missed any missed any missed any part, you can go part, you can go part, you can go to our to our to our vision site or vision site or vision site or look at the card look at the card look at the card you received you received you received at the entrance today, at the entrance today, at the entrance today, but this is just a but this is just a but this is just a renewed renewed renewed commitment to what commitment to what commitment to what God God God commands the churches to do. commands the churches to do. commands the churches to do. Think about it. These are Think about it. These are Think about it. These are evangelism, evangelism, evangelism, multiplication, multiplication, multiplication, discipleship, and mission. And discipleship, and mission. And discipleship, and mission. And we have to ask we have to ask we have to ask ourselves, especially here at ourselves, especially here at ourselves, especially here at Tysons: Are we willing Tysons: Are we willing Tysons: Are we willing to commit ourselves to to commit ourselves to to commit ourselves to what this vision will require what this vision will require what this vision will require ? Are we ready ? Are we ready ? Are we ready for this? And I for this? And I for this? And I hope you hope you hope you see here in see here in see here in Acts 2 that such Acts 2 that such Acts 2 that such devotion will not only devotion will not only devotion will not only lead other people lead other people lead other people to a life of abundance to a life of abundance to a life of abundance in Jesus, it will in Jesus, it will in Jesus, it will lead us to lead us to lead us to experience that experience that experience that life ourselves. In fact, this is what life ourselves. In fact, this is what life ourselves. In fact, this is what we were we were we were created for. Now I created for. Now I created for. Now I want to give you a want to give you a want to give you a summary, a sentence that will summary, a sentence that will summary, a sentence that will show you where we are show you where we are show you where we are going today.

going today. going today. It's a bit long, but It's a bit long, but It's a bit long, but let me narrate let me narrate let me narrate it. You can write it. You can write it. You can write it down. It will be on it down. It will be on it down. It will be on the screen. Here it is. A the screen. Here it is. A church filled with church filled with God's Spirit, committed to God's Spirit, committed to God's Spirit, committed to seeking God seeking God seeking God and and and serving together with God's serving together with God's serving together with God's people, will experience people, will experience people, will experience God's God's God's favor and power. favor and power. I know this is a complicated I know this is a complicated sentence, so sentence, so sentence, so let me read it again let me read it again let me read it again . A church . A church . A church filled with God's Spirit, committed to filled with God's Spirit, committed to filled with God's Spirit, committed to seeking seeking seeking God and God and God and serving together with God's serving together with God's serving together with God's people, will experience people, will experience people, will experience God's God's God's favor and power. favor and power. Note, this is not some Note, this is not some formula. This does not formula. This does not formula. This does not guarantee that God guarantee that God guarantee that God will act exactly as will act exactly as will act exactly as we want or we want or we want or even expect. But even expect. But even expect. But I hope that I hope that I hope that during our during our during our time together today time together today time together today you will understand: if you will understand: if you will understand: if we are willing to commit we are willing to commit we are willing to commit ourselves to the same things ourselves to the same things ourselves to the same things described in described in described in Acts chapter 2, Acts chapter 2, Acts chapter 2, we will see God we will see God we will see God do incredible things in do incredible things in and through our church family. I and through our church family. I also want to say: also want to say: also want to say: if you are here today if you are here today if you are here today and are not a follower of and are not a follower of and are not a follower of Jesus, perhaps you Jesus, perhaps you Jesus, perhaps you are simply interested in are simply interested in are simply interested in the church or have come to visit the church or have come to visit the church or have come to visit us. We're us. We're us. We're going to get into some " going to get into some " family" stuff, but family" stuff, but family" stuff, but I want to encourage you I want to encourage you I want to encourage you to stay with us, because to stay with us, because to stay with us, because what we're going to what we're going to what we're going to talk about next in talk about next in talk about next in Acts is something Acts is something Acts is something you're invited to do as well. I have been you're invited to do as well. I have been you're invited to do as well. I have been praying all week that praying all week that praying all week that you will see the joy you will see the joy you will see the joy that comes from that comes from that comes from being in God's being in God's being in God's family. And we saw that family. And we saw that family. And we saw that you are also invited you are also invited you are also invited to become a part of it.

to become a part of it. to become a part of it. So, the 2nd chapter of the Book of So, the 2nd chapter of the Book of So, the 2nd chapter of the Book of Acts, let's start with the 42nd Acts, let's start with the 42nd Acts, let's start with the 42nd verse. I need to verse. I need to verse. I need to give you a little give you a little give you a little context, as context, as context, as our passage our passage our passage summarizes what has already summarizes what has already summarizes what has already happened in the first happened in the first happened in the first two chapters of this two chapters of this two chapters of this book. In chapter 1, book. In chapter 1, book. In chapter 1, Jesus gave His Jesus gave His Jesus gave His followers their followers their followers their mission. It was about mission. It was about mission. It was about going and going and going and doing...Well, that's it. Go and doing...Well, that's it. Go and doing...Well, that's it. Go and make disciples. And then make disciples. And then make disciples. And then He commanded them to wait He commanded them to wait He commanded them to wait in Jerusalem until He in Jerusalem until He in Jerusalem until He sent the Holy Spirit sent the Holy Spirit , who would give them power , who would give them power , who would give them power to be His witnesses. And to be His witnesses. And to be His witnesses. And then Jesus ascended then Jesus ascended then Jesus ascended into heaven right before into heaven right before into heaven right before their eyes. So these their eyes. So these their eyes. So these Christians Christians Christians all gathered together. They all gathered together. They all gathered together. They wait and pray. wait and pray. Meanwhile, thousands of Meanwhile, thousands of people flock to people flock to people flock to Jerusalem from all over Jerusalem from all over Jerusalem from all over the Mediterranean to the Mediterranean to the Mediterranean to celebrate what celebrate what celebrate what was called the Feast of was called the Feast of was called the Feast of Weeks, or Weeks, or Weeks, or Pentecost. It Pentecost. It Pentecost. It was a holiday that was a holiday that was a holiday that marked the beginning of the marked the beginning of the marked the beginning of the wheat harvest with a wheat harvest with a wheat harvest with a grand grand grand feast. And exactly feast. And exactly feast. And exactly 10 days after 10 days after 10 days after Jesus Jesus Jesus ascended to heaven, on ascended to heaven, on ascended to heaven, on the day of the great feast at the day of the great feast at the day of the great feast at 9 o'clock in the morning, 9 o'clock in the morning, 9 o'clock in the morning, the Holy Spirit descended on the Holy Spirit descended on the Holy Spirit descended on these believers, and they these believers, and they these believers, and they began to speak about began to speak about began to speak about Jesus in languages ​​they had Jesus in languages ​​they had Jesus in languages ​​they had not known before. It not known before. It not known before. It was an incredible was an incredible was an incredible picture. And people from picture. And people from picture. And people from all over the region hear all over the region hear all over the region hear these individuals these individuals these individuals speaking their speaking their speaking their native languages, and it native languages, and it native languages, and it just amazes them. It just amazes them. It just amazes them. It draws a crowd, and draws a crowd, and draws a crowd, and most people most people most people look at it and look at it and look at it and think, "These guys think, "These guys think, "These guys must be drunk." This is must be drunk." This is must be drunk." This is literally what the literally what the literally what the text says. And text says. And text says. And then Peter, the same one then Peter, the same one then Peter, the same one whom Jesus

whom Jesus told to told to told to cast his nets into cast his nets into cast his nets into the deep in Luke 5, stands up the deep in Luke 5, stands up the deep in Luke 5, stands up and preaches the first and preaches the first and preaches the first Christian Christian Christian sermon. He sermon. He sermon. He proclaims the Gospel proclaims the Gospel . He calls on the crowd . He calls on the crowd . He calls on the crowd to repent of their to repent of their to repent of their sins, receive sins, receive sins, receive forgiveness from Jesus, and forgiveness from Jesus, and forgiveness from Jesus, and be baptized. And then be baptized. And then verse 41 tells us verse 41 tells us verse 41 tells us about the reaction. It about the reaction. It about the reaction. It says: “Then those who gladly says: “Then those who gladly says: “Then those who gladly accepted his word accepted his word accepted his word were baptized, and that were baptized, and that were baptized, and that day day day about three thousand about three thousand about three thousand souls were added.” You souls were added.” You souls were added.” You heard everything correctly. 3,000 heard everything correctly. 3,000 heard everything correctly. 3,000 souls. Let me tell you, it's a souls. Let me tell you, it's a souls. Let me tell you, it's a good day for good day for good day for service, isn't it? And this is service, isn't it? And this is service, isn't it? And this is truly the moment when truly the moment when truly the moment when everything falls into everything falls into everything falls into place. After all, Jesus place. After all, Jesus place. After all, Jesus told Peter back in told Peter back in Luke chapter 5 that Luke chapter 5 that Luke chapter 5 that from now on he would from now on he would from now on he would catch men catch men catch men instead of fish, and now instead of fish, and now instead of fish, and now he sees it he sees it he sees it happening right before happening right before happening right before his eyes. When he his eyes. When he his eyes. When he proclaims God's proclaims God's proclaims God's word, God converts word, God converts word, God converts thousands of people to faith. thousands of people to faith. And then our And then our passage describes the passage describes the passage describes the transformation that transformation that transformation that takes place in the lives of takes place in the lives of takes place in the lives of these new believers.

these new believers. these new believers. That brings us to That brings us to That brings us to Acts 2, so let me Acts 2, so let me Acts 2, so let me ask you to stand ask you to stand ask you to stand while we read this while we read this while we read this passage. Reading passage. Reading passage. Reading God's word is God's word is God's word is truly the main truly the main truly the main event during a event during a event during a sermon. So sermon. So sermon. So let me ask let me ask let me ask you to stand, and while I you to stand, and while I you to stand, and while I read this passage, read this passage, read this passage, just imagine what it would be like just imagine what it would be like just imagine what it would be like to be part of to be part of to be part of this believing family. this believing family. this believing family. I will read it for I will read it for I will read it for you. The poems you. The poems you. The poems will also be on screen. It will also be on screen. It will also be on screen. It says: “And they continued says: “And they continued says: “And they continued steadfastly steadfastly steadfastly in the apostles’ in the apostles’ in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, teaching and fellowship, teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and in in the breaking of bread and in in the breaking of bread and in prayers.” And fear prayers.” And fear prayers.” And fear came upon every soul, and came upon every soul, and came upon every soul, and many wonders and many wonders and many wonders and signs were done signs were done signs were done through the apostles. And through the apostles. And through the apostles. And all who believed all who believed all who believed were together and had everything in were together and had everything in were together and had everything in common. They common. They common. They sold their sold their sold their property and possessions and property and possessions and property and possessions and distributed the proceeds to anyone in distributed the proceeds to anyone in need. And every day, need. And every day, continuing with one accord continuing with one accord continuing with one accord in the temple, they broke bread in the temple, they broke bread in the temple, they broke bread from house to house, and ate their from house to house, and ate their from house to house, and ate their food with gladness and food with gladness and food with gladness and sincerity of heart, sincerity of heart, sincerity of heart, praising God and having praising God and having praising God and having favor with all the favor with all the favor with all the people. And the Lord people. And the Lord people. And the Lord added to added to added to their number daily those their number daily those their number daily those who were being saved. Wow.

who were being saved. Wow. who were being saved. Wow. Will you pray with me? Will you pray with me? My God, what an incredible My God, what an incredible picture appears before picture appears before picture appears before us in these verses. And us in these verses. And us in these verses. And as we take as we take as we take time to explore time to explore time to explore why these why these why these new believers were committed, God, will new believers were committed, God, will new believers were committed, God, will You give us open You give us open You give us open hands and open hands and open hands and open hearts so that we can hearts so that we can hearts so that we can respond to Your respond to Your respond to Your word today, word today, word today, Lord? We love Lord? We love Lord? We love You. We pray You. We pray You. We pray this in Jesus' name, and we this in Jesus' name, and we this in Jesus' name, and we all said together, all said together, all said together, Amen. You can sit down. Amen. You can sit down. It was a devoted It was a devoted church. This is truly an church. This is truly an church. This is truly an image of the church at its image of the church at its image of the church at its best, and best, and best, and it is an example that we it is an example that we it is an example that we should truly strive to should truly strive to should truly strive to emulate emulate . And what I want to do— . And what I want to do— I want to focus I want to focus I want to focus on two things that on two things that on two things that they were committed to as a they were committed to as a they were committed to as a church. And in doing so, church. And in doing so, church. And in doing so, I want us to I want us to I want us to consider some consider some consider some specific implications specific implications specific implications for us here, particularly in for us here, particularly in for us here, particularly in Tysons. So, why Tysons. So, why Tysons. So, why were they loyal? were they loyal? First, they were First, they were First, they were committed to seeking God. committed to seeking God. They were dedicated They were dedicated to seeking God. The word “ to seeking God. The word “ dedicated” is a wonderful dedicated” is a wonderful dedicated” is a wonderful word. It comes word. It comes word. It comes right from the beginning of right from the beginning of right from the beginning of verse 42. It means verse 42. It means verse 42. It means to hold on tightly to to hold on tightly to to hold on tightly to something. It is a something. It is a something. It is a persistent, persistent, persistent, single-minded single-minded single-minded commitment to something commitment to something commitment to something valuable. And when you are valuable. And when you are valuable. And when you are committed to something, you committed to something, you committed to something, you willingly invest your willingly invest your willingly invest your time, your resources, and time, your resources, and time, your resources, and your energy into that thing your energy into that thing your energy into that thing or that relationship. You don't or that relationship. You don't or that relationship. You don't have to be forced have to be forced , you just want , you just want , you just want it. For example, I it. For example, I it. For example, I think about my think about my think about my wife and children. You wife and children. You wife and children. You don't need to don't need to don't need to force me to be

force me to be force me to be loyal to them. I loyal to them. I loyal to them. I want this myself. I love want this myself. I love want this myself. I love being devoted to my being devoted to my being devoted to my family. And in this family. And in this family. And in this passage, these believers were passage, these believers were passage, these believers were committed to seeking God committed to seeking God committed to seeking God above all else. In fact, above all else. In fact, above all else. In fact, the tense of the word "dedicated" the tense of the word "dedicated" the tense of the word "dedicated" indicates a long indicates a long indicates a long process, which means process, which means process, which means it could be it could be it could be read as: they were read as: they were read as: they were continually continually continually dedicating themselves to dedicating themselves to dedicating themselves to these things. They were these things. They were these things. They were constantly devoted constantly devoted constantly devoted to seeking God with all to seeking God with all to seeking God with all their time, their their time, their their time, their energy, and their energy, and their energy, and their love. In particular, love. In particular, love. In particular, through the ministry of the word through the ministry of the word through the ministry of the word and the ministry of prayer. and the ministry of prayer. and the ministry of prayer. And you see this in And you see this in And you see this in the context of verse 42 the context of verse 42 . The passage . The passage . The passage opens opens opens with the words: “And they continued with the words: “And they continued with the words: “And they continued steadfastly steadfastly steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching.” in the apostles’ teaching.” in the apostles’ teaching.” The apostles were The apostles were Jesus' closest disciples. These were 12 Jesus' closest disciples. These were 12 men who men who men who had spent all of their time had spent all of their time had spent all of their time during the previous 3 during the previous 3 during the previous 3 years learning from years learning from years learning from Jesus and serving Jesus and serving Jesus and serving alongside him. And these alongside him. And these alongside him. And these new Christians in new Christians in new Christians in Jerusalem wanted Jerusalem wanted Jerusalem wanted to know everything they could to know everything they could to know everything they could about Jesus because He had about Jesus because He had about Jesus because He had changed their lives. And changed their lives. And changed their lives. And so the apostles so the apostles so the apostles share with these share with these share with these new disciples everything new disciples everything new disciples everything they have learned they have learned they have learned from Jesus. And they don't from Jesus. And they don't from Jesus. And they don't just share just share just share the teachings of Jesus, they the teachings of Jesus, they the teachings of Jesus, they help them help them help them understand who Jesus is, understand who Jesus is, understand who Jesus is, that He is the Son of God, the that He is the Son of God, the that He is the Son of God, the promised Messiah, the One to promised Messiah, the One to promised Messiah, the One to whom the whom the whom the entire Old Testament pointed.

entire Old Testament pointed. Peter actually Peter actually makes this connection makes this connection makes this connection in his sermon in his sermon in his sermon earlier in earlier in earlier in chapter two. We chapter two. We chapter two. We don't have time to don't have time to don't have time to read it read it read it together today. Perhaps you together today. Perhaps you together today. Perhaps you will find time this will find time this will find time this week to read week to read week to read his sermon in his sermon in Acts 2. In explaining Acts 2. In explaining who Jesus is and what who Jesus is and what who Jesus is and what He did, Peter He did, Peter He did, Peter quotes from the Book of Joel and quotes from the Book of Joel and quotes from the Book of Joel and two Psalms, both from the two Psalms, both from the two Psalms, both from the Old Testament. This Old Testament. This Old Testament. This was appropriate for his was appropriate for his was appropriate for his audience, as audience, as audience, as most of the people who most of the people who most of the people who believed probably believed probably believed probably had a similar had a similar had a similar background. This background. This background. This means that they likely means that they likely memorized memorized most of the most of the most of the Old Testament as Old Testament as Old Testament as children. And just children. And just children. And just as Jesus opened the eyes as Jesus opened the eyes as Jesus opened the eyes of the apostles to of the apostles to of the apostles to see that the entire see that the entire see that the entire Old Testament Old Testament Old Testament pointed to Him, pointed to Him, pointed to Him, now they now they now they help others help others help others to draw this conclusion. to draw this conclusion. to draw this conclusion. This is an incredible image This is an incredible image This is an incredible image of discipleship, if you of discipleship, if you of discipleship, if you think about it. think about it. think about it. Discipleship is simply Discipleship is simply Discipleship is simply discovering the Word and discovering the Word and discovering the Word and helping others helping others helping others know Jesus. They know Jesus. They know Jesus. They do it right here. do it right here. The book of Hebrews tells us that the Word of God is living and that the Word of God is living and that the Word of God is living and active. God works active. God works active. God works through His Word to through His Word to through His Word to change hearts and change hearts and change hearts and make us all more and more like make us all more and more like Him. And Him. And if that is the case, then we too if that is the case, then we too if that is the case, then we too must be must be must be committed to His Word.

committed to His Word. Study it, Study it, obey it, obey it, obey it, remember it, and remember it, and remember it, and share it with other share it with other share it with other people. These believers people. These believers people. These believers were committed to seeking were committed to seeking were committed to seeking God through His Word God through His Word , and they were committed to , and they were committed to , and they were committed to seeking God in prayer seeking God in prayer . The second verse . The second verse . The second verse ends with the words ends with the words that they were devoted to that they were devoted to that they were devoted to prayer. Prayer is prayer. Prayer is prayer. Prayer is simply a way in which simply a way in which simply a way in which we express our we express our we express our complete dependence on complete dependence on complete dependence on God. This requires God. This requires God. This requires great great great humility from us, as we humility from us, as we humility from us, as we acknowledge before God acknowledge before God acknowledge before God that we need His that we need His that we need His help. Saying, "Oh help. Saying, "Oh my God, I can't my God, I can't my God, I can't do this." I do this." I do this." I need you to need you to need you to do this." Which, to do this." Which, to do this." Which, to be honest, is probably why be honest, is probably why some of us have a hard time some of us have a hard time praying. Because it praying. Because it praying. Because it really requires really requires really requires us to put aside our us to put aside our us to put aside our pride and say, “ pride and say, “ God, I really God, I really God, I really need You.” "I need You.” "I need You.” "I need You." And we need You." And we need You." And we need Him in need Him in need Him in everything. And although this is the everything. And although this is the everything. And although this is the only time only time only time prayer is mentioned in prayer is mentioned in prayer is mentioned in this passage, the church this passage, the church this passage, the church in Acts was a in Acts was a in Acts was a praying church. praying church. praying church. Can I give Can I give Can I give you a quick tour of you a quick tour of you a quick tour of a few examples of a few examples of a few examples of this from the book of this from the book of this from the book of Acts? Do you Acts? Do you Acts? Do you mind? If you're with me mind? If you're with me , say, "Oh yeah."

, say, "Oh yeah." , say, "Oh yeah." Okay, we'll Okay, we'll Okay, we'll do it anyway. Let's go. In do it anyway. Let's go. In do it anyway. Let's go. In chapter four, chapter four, chapter four, even more people even more people even more people come to faith, and come to faith, and come to faith, and what does the church do? what does the church do? what does the church do? They gather to They gather to They gather to pray. Acts 4:31 pray. Acts 4:31 pray. Acts 4:31 says, “And when they had says, “And when they had says, “And when they had prayed, prayed, prayed, the place the place the place where they were assembled together was shaken: where they were assembled together was shaken: where they were assembled together was shaken: and they were all filled with the and they were all filled with the and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they Holy Ghost, and they Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of spake the word of spake the word of God with boldness.” And as God with boldness.” And as God with boldness.” And as a result, the Gospel a result, the Gospel a result, the Gospel continues continues continues to spread at a fairly to spread at a fairly to spread at a fairly significant pace. significant pace. significant pace. Look further at Look further at Look further at chapter 8: The Gospel chapter 8: The Gospel chapter 8: The Gospel reaches the Samaritans. reaches the Samaritans. reaches the Samaritans. This is a group of people whom the This is a group of people whom the This is a group of people whom the Jews despised, and Jews despised, and Jews despised, and now the Samaritans now the Samaritans now the Samaritans are open to the are open to the are open to the Gospel. As Gospel. As Gospel. As verse 14 says, “They verse 14 says, “They verse 14 says, “They sent to them, to the sent to them, to the sent to them, to the Samaritans, Peter and Samaritans, Peter and Samaritans, Peter and John, who came down and John, who came down and John, who came down and prayed for them, prayed for them, prayed for them, that they might receive the that they might receive the that they might receive the Holy Spirit.” And as Holy Spirit.” And as Holy Spirit.” And as you continue you continue you continue reading Acts chapter 8, reading Acts chapter 8, reading Acts chapter 8, they come to they come to they come to saving faith and saving faith and saving faith and become part of the become part of the become part of the church. So not only is church. So not only is church. So not only is the Gospel the Gospel the Gospel being proclaimed and being proclaimed and being proclaimed and spread throughout the spread throughout the spread throughout the region, but region, but region, but racial and cultural tensions are also being healed racial and cultural tensions are also being healed . I praise God for this. . I praise God for this. In chapter 9, a woman In chapter 9, a woman In chapter 9, a woman named Tabitha named Tabitha named Tabitha became sick and died. became sick and died. became sick and died. Peter comes to Peter comes to Peter comes to visit her, visit her, visit her, prays for her, and prays for her, and prays for her, and she comes back to she comes back to she comes back to life. This is another life. This is another life. This is another big day in big day in big day in ministry. Chapter 12: ministry. Chapter 12: ministry. Chapter 12: Peter is arrested Peter is arrested Peter is arrested and the church prays for a and the church prays for a and the church prays for a miracle. Acts 12:5 miracle. Acts 12:5 miracle. Acts 12:5 says, “The church made says, “The church made says, “The church made earnest prayer to earnest prayer to earnest prayer to God for him.” And while God for him.” And while God for him.” And while Peter is sleeping in his Peter is sleeping in his Peter is sleeping in his prison cell, an prison cell, an prison cell, an angel appears, angel appears, angel appears, wakes him up, and wakes him up, and wakes him up, and leads him straight out of leads him straight out of leads him straight out of prison. This is what an prison. This is what an prison. This is what an effective effective effective prayer meeting means.

prayer meeting means. prayer meeting means. The Lord answers The Lord answers The Lord answers their prayer. their prayer. their prayer. In fact, Peter In fact, Peter In fact, Peter comes to the house comes to the house comes to the house where they are praying, and where they are praying, and where they are praying, and they are so they are so they are so absorbed in prayer absorbed in prayer absorbed in prayer that they don't even that they don't even that they don't even notice Peter notice Peter notice Peter knocking on the door. Then knocking on the door. Then knocking on the door. Then in chapter 13 the church in chapter 13 the church in chapter 13 the church gathers for gathers for gathers for prayer and fasting, prayer and fasting, prayer and fasting, leading to the sending out of leading to the sending out of leading to the sending out of Paul and Barnabas as Paul and Barnabas as Paul and Barnabas as missionaries, and as missionaries, and as missionaries, and as a result many new churches are opened throughout a result many new churches are opened throughout a result many new churches are opened throughout Asia and Europe Asia and Europe . But you . But you see what see what see what happens here in the happens here in the happens here in the book of Acts. This is just a book of Acts. This is just a book of Acts. This is just a small example. small example. But because the early But because the early church was committed to church was committed to church was committed to the ministry of the word and the ministry of the word and the ministry of the word and prayer, people prayer, people prayer, people were reached, believers were reached, believers were reached, believers were were were mentored, mentored, mentored, new churches were opened new churches were opened new churches were opened , and the Gospel , and the Gospel , and the Gospel was spread among the was spread among the was spread among the nations. nations. nations. Amen. Amen. These are the main ways in These are the main ways in which God works in which God works in which God works in and through His people and through His people and through His people . And if we . And if we . And if we are going to move decisively are going to move decisively are going to move decisively toward this vision, toward this vision, toward this vision, then, as a church family, then, as a church family, then, as a church family, we too must be we too must be we too must be committed to these things. We committed to these things. We committed to these things. We must. We need to must. We need to must. We need to regularly turn regularly turn regularly turn to God, asking Him to God, asking Him to God, asking Him to fulfill this vision to fulfill this vision to fulfill this vision in us and through us. And in us and through us. And in us and through us. And then seek to then seek to then seek to grow in our grow in our grow in our commitment commitment commitment to following Him. There are to following Him. There are to following Him. There are so many ways to so many ways to so many ways to do this, but do this, but do this, but even as a church even as a church even as a church together, as we together, as we together, as we offer offer offer opportunities like Reach One opportunities like Reach One opportunities like Reach One Labs, Bible reading plans Labs, Bible reading plans Labs, Bible reading plans , classes, , classes, , classes, workshops, prayer workshops, prayer workshops, prayer meetings, and other meetings, and other meetings, and other opportunities for opportunities for opportunities for growth in the growth in the growth in the coming days, coming days, coming days, God willing, take advantage of God willing, take advantage of God willing, take advantage of them. I want you to them. I want you to them. I want you to consider, even consider, even consider, even as we think about as we think about as we think about the rest of this fall, the rest of this fall, the rest of this fall, what one step what one step what one step could you take to could you take to could you take to grow in your grow in your grow in your commitment to Jesus commitment to Jesus commitment to Jesus this fall? This is just

this fall? This is just this fall? This is just one step. What is your one step. What is your one step. What is your plan for growth in plan for growth in plan for growth in the word and prayer? Because the word and prayer? Because the word and prayer? Because these things won't these things won't these things won't happen by themselves happen by themselves happen by themselves . This requires . This requires . This requires dedication. So, the dedication. So, the dedication. So, the early church was early church was early church was committed to pursuing committed to pursuing committed to pursuing God, and secondly, they God, and secondly, they God, and secondly, they were committed to were committed to were committed to being together. They being together. They being together. They were committed to were committed to were committed to being together. And this is being together. And this is being together. And this is extremely important, extremely important, extremely important, because if we because if we because if we are not careful, we are not careful, we are not careful, we can be misled into can be misled into can be misled into thinking that thinking that thinking that pursuing God is an pursuing God is an pursuing God is an activity we activity we activity we simply do on our own. We simply do on our own. We simply do on our own. We just do it ourselves. And just do it ourselves. And just do it ourselves. And when you read this when you read this when you read this passage, you actually passage, you actually passage, you actually see that this is the emphasis of see that this is the emphasis of see that this is the emphasis of Acts 2:42-47. How Acts 2:42-47. How Acts 2:42-47. How close-knit this close-knit this close-knit this family of faith was. family of faith was. family of faith was. Look with Look with Look with me at verse 44. And it me at verse 44. And it me at verse 44. And it says, "And as many as says, "And as many as says, "And as many as believed were..." believed were..." believed were..." Say that out loud. Say that out loud. Let's try. Let's try. Good. Good. Let's Good. Good. Let's Good. Good. Let's try again. You try again. You try again. You were not ready for were not ready for were not ready for this. You were not this. You were not this. You were not ready for this. "And ready for this. "And ready for this. "And all who believed all who believed all who believed were..."

were..." were..." Together. Together. Together. Yes. Well, there you go. Yes. Well, there you go. Yes. Well, there you go. Yes. Keep going, Yes. Keep going, Yes. Keep going, I like it. I like it. I like it. And go to And go to And go to verse 46. And every day they verse 46. And every day they verse 46. And every day they were in the temple and were in the temple and were in the temple and broke bread in their broke bread in their broke bread in their homes. This group of homes. This group of homes. This group of believers was believers was believers was committed to committed to committed to being together. There is no being together. There is no being together. There is no feeling that " feeling that " it's just me and Jesus." it's just me and Jesus." it's just me and Jesus." You won't see this You won't see this You won't see this anywhere in the Bible. They anywhere in the Bible. They anywhere in the Bible. They prioritized prioritized prioritized living together living together living together . And look . And look . And look at some of the places where at some of the places where at some of the places where they did it. they did it. they did it. Verse 46 says that Verse 46 says that Verse 46 says that they were gathered together they were gathered together they were gathered together in the temple. Of course, they in the temple. Of course, they in the temple. Of course, they were there to were there to were there to worship God, but worship God, but worship God, but practically speaking, the practically speaking, the practically speaking, the temple was the only temple was the only temple was the only place where they could place where they could place where they could physically be together in physically be together in physically be together in one place. So, one place. So, one place. So, they gather they gather they gather together in the temple, but it is together in the temple, but it is together in the temple, but it is also said that also said that also said that they meet in they meet in they meet in each other's homes. each other's homes. They gather in They gather in smaller groups to smaller groups to smaller groups to chat, chat, chat, share a meal, and share a meal, and share a meal, and learn more learn more learn more about each other. And it's about each other. And it's about each other. And it's quite amazing, quite amazing, quite amazing, when you think about it, because when you think about it, because when you think about it, because just before that, just before that, just before that, before before before Pentecost, these Pentecost, these Pentecost, these 3,000 people were 3,000 people were 3,000 people were complete complete complete strangers. They didn't strangers. They didn't strangers. They didn't know each other.

know each other. know each other. They were from different They were from different They were from different languages ​​and cultures, different languages ​​and cultures, different languages ​​and cultures, different backgrounds, different backgrounds, different backgrounds, different economic situations economic situations , different walks of , different walks of , different walks of life. And now life. And now life. And now they spend time they spend time they spend time together. They together. They together. They care about each care about each care about each other and other and other and enjoy a enjoy a enjoy a sincere relationship sincere relationship sincere relationship together. This is incredible. together. This is incredible. But these gatherings were But these gatherings were not just dinners, not just dinners, not just dinners, they were celebrations of the they were celebrations of the they were celebrations of the Gospel. The phrase " Gospel. The phrase " breaking bread" breaking bread" breaking bread" could well mean the could well mean the could well mean the usual meal, which usual meal, which usual meal, which they did have. they did have. But it is also an expression But it is also an expression that the New Testament that the New Testament that the New Testament often uses to often uses to often uses to describe the sacrament or the describe the sacrament or the describe the sacrament or the Lord’s Supper—the Lord’s Supper—the ordinance that Jesus gave to ordinance that Jesus gave to ordinance that Jesus gave to His church to His church to His church to remember His remember His remember His death and resurrection, death and resurrection, death and resurrection, where the bread symbolizes where the bread symbolizes where the bread symbolizes His body and the cup His body and the cup His blood. So when His blood. So when His blood. So when you see this phrase, it you see this phrase, it you see this phrase, it doesn't mean "either doesn't mean "either doesn't mean "either or." I think the or." I think the or." I think the early church most likely early church most likely early church most likely celebrated the celebrated the celebrated the Lord's Supper as Lord's Supper as Lord's Supper as part of a larger part of a larger part of a larger meal, meaning they meal, meaning they meal, meaning they did both. did both. did both. Think of it as the original Think of it as the original Think of it as the original church church church fellowship meal. That's what's fellowship meal. That's what's fellowship meal. That's what's happening here. But happening here. But happening here. But it wasn't just a it wasn't just a it wasn't just a celebration of that. It celebration of that. It celebration of that. It was a celebration of what was a celebration of what was a celebration of what made made made their connection to each their connection to each their connection to each other possible. In other possible. In other possible. In verse 42, the word verse 42, the word verse 42, the word used to used to used to describe this relationship describe this relationship describe this relationship is “ is “ fellowship.” Say this fellowship.” Say this fellowship.” Say this word with me.

word with me. word with me. Say: "community. Say: "community. " I know, it sounds " I know, it sounds " I know, it sounds like a purely church like a purely church like a purely church word. Like...What do we word. Like...What do we word. Like...What do we even mean even mean even mean when we say when we say when we say that? But it just that? But it just that? But it just means having something in means having something in means having something in common. Have something in common. Have something in common. Have something in common. And they common. And they common. And they celebrated the only thing they celebrated the only thing they celebrated the only thing they had in common had in common had in common with each other. The fact with each other. The fact that they were all that they were all that they were all redeemed by the blood of redeemed by the blood of redeemed by the blood of Jesus. If you are here Jesus. If you are here Jesus. If you are here for the first time or for the first time or for the first time or are interested in are interested in are interested in Christianity, what Christianity, what Christianity, what they are celebrating here they are celebrating here is the good news of is the good news of is the good news of the Gospel. This is the the Gospel. This is the the Gospel. This is the reality that reality that reality that each of us has rejected each of us has rejected each of us has rejected God. We want to be God. We want to be God. We want to be the gods of our own the gods of our own the gods of our own lives, and so we lives, and so we lives, and so we rebelled against the rebelled against the rebelled against the Creator of the universe. And this Creator of the universe. And this Creator of the universe. And this rebellion rebellion rebellion rightly rightly rightly deserves God's deserves God's deserves God's judgment. Rebellion against an judgment. Rebellion against an judgment. Rebellion against an infinitely holy infinitely holy infinitely holy God results in God results in God results in eternal separation eternal separation eternal separation from Him, and there is nothing we can from Him, and there is nothing we can from Him, and there is nothing we can do to do to do to save ourselves. This is the save ourselves. This is the save ourselves. This is the state of our humanity. state of our humanity. But when we were But when we were powerless, God did powerless, God did powerless, God did everything necessary for us everything necessary for us . He came to us in . He came to us in . He came to us in the person of Jesus. He the person of Jesus. He the person of Jesus. He lived a perfect lived a perfect lived a perfect life. He died on life. He died on life. He died on the cross, taking the cross, taking the cross, taking the punishment that the punishment that the punishment that you and I deserved, you and I deserved, you and I deserved, and then rose from the and then rose from the and then rose from the dead 3 days later, dead 3 days later, dead 3 days later, declaring declaring declaring victory over sin and victory over sin and victory over sin and death, proving that death, proving that death, proving that He is God. And He He is God. And He He is God. And He declares that no matter declares that no matter declares that no matter who you are or what who you are or what who you are or what you have done, if you are you have done, if you are you have done, if you are willing to turn willing to turn willing to turn from your sin and from your sin and from your sin and trust in His trust in His trust in His forgiveness, you forgiveness, you forgiveness, you will receive forgiveness of will receive forgiveness of will receive forgiveness of your sins and be

your sins and be your sins and be accepted into a new accepted into a new accepted into a new relationship with Him that relationship with Him that relationship with Him that will last for all will last for all will last for all eternity. This is the good eternity. This is the good eternity. This is the good news of the Gospel. news of the Gospel. If you are here today If you are here today and have never trusted and have never trusted and have never trusted Jesus, know that this Jesus, know that this Jesus, know that this invitation is open invitation is open invitation is open to you today. God to you today. God to you today. God rejoices in you and welcomes you rejoices in you and welcomes you rejoices in you and welcomes you with open with open with open arms if you are arms if you are arms if you are willing to run to Him willing to run to Him . And here it gets even better, . And here it gets even better, . And here it gets even better, because when you because when you because when you come to faith in come to faith in come to faith in Jesus, God doesn't just Jesus, God doesn't just Jesus, God doesn't just save you for Himself, save you for Himself, save you for Himself, He joins you to the He joins you to the He joins you to the people. And therein people. And therein people. And therein lies the beauty of the church. lies the beauty of the church. lies the beauty of the church. Jesus came to Jesus came to Jesus came to save people from save people from save people from every tribe, every tribe, every tribe, people, stage of life, and people, stage of life, and people, stage of life, and language. And He created language. And He created language. And He created us to be in us to be in us to be in relationship with one relationship with one relationship with one another. He also another. He also another. He also designed this relationship, designed this relationship, designed this relationship, this fellowship, this this fellowship, this this fellowship, this community, to be a community, to be a blessing to us. blessing to us. In fact, In fact, In fact, listen again to how listen again to how listen again to how this group of believers is described this group of believers is described this group of believers is described in verse 44. in verse 44. in verse 44. It says: “And all the It says: “And all the It says: “And all the believers were together and believers were together and believers were together and had everything in common.” " had everything in common.” " Everything in common." This is the Everything in common." This is the Everything in common." This is the life we life we life we share. It's as if share. It's as if share. It's as if they're saying to each they're saying to each they're saying to each other, "What's mine is yours.

other, "What's mine is yours. " And they were committed to " And they were committed to meeting meeting each other's needs. each other's needs. each other's needs. Look at Look at Look at verse 45. It says: “And verse 45. It says: “And verse 45. It says: “And they sold their they sold their they sold their possessions and goods and possessions and goods and possessions and goods and distributed to all who distributed to all who distributed to all who had need.” They had need.” They had need.” They spend so much spend so much spend so much time together that they time together that they time together that they notice the needs of notice the needs of notice the needs of others and happily others and happily others and happily sell their possessions sell their possessions sell their possessions to meet those to meet those to meet those needs. Some of these needs. Some of these needs. Some of these needs may have needs may have needs may have arisen because of the arisen because of the arisen because of the persecution or persecution or persecution or rejection rejection rejection some faced after some faced after some faced after coming to faith in coming to faith in coming to faith in Jesus. Others simply Jesus. Others simply Jesus. Others simply decided to stay decided to stay decided to stay and move to and move to and move to Jerusalem. Jerusalem. Jerusalem. Remember, many Remember, many Remember, many of these new of these new of these new believers were not believers were not believers were not from there. They were from from there. They were from from there. They were from all over all over all over the Mediterranean and the Mediterranean and the Mediterranean and came to celebrate the came to celebrate the came to celebrate the holiday, but then they holiday, but then they holiday, but then they believed in Jesus. And believed in Jesus. And believed in Jesus. And so they decided to so they decided to so they decided to completely transform completely transform completely transform their lives around their lives around their lives around this community of faith. this community of faith. this community of faith. This reminds me of This reminds me of This reminds me of some of you who some of you who some of you who told us that you told us that you told us that you intentionally moved to intentionally moved to intentionally moved to this area and found this area and found this area and found jobs here to become jobs here to become jobs here to become part of our part of our part of our church family. This is church family. This is church family. This is what what what community commitment means community commitment means . And when they give to . And when they give to . And when they give to each other, they don't each other, they don't each other, they don't give out small give out small give out small change. Fast forward change. Fast forward change. Fast forward to chapter 4, where we to chapter 4, where we to chapter 4, where we see people see people see people selling their selling their selling their possessions to possessions to possessions to support the mission and support the mission and support the mission and care for care for care for others. Isn't that others. Isn't that others. Isn't that amazing? Are there amazing? Are there amazing? Are there people in your life people in your life people in your life who love you this who love you this who love you this way? Do you have people way? Do you have people way? Do you have people you know you know you know well enough to well enough to well enough to understand understand understand when they are in trouble and are when they are in trouble and are when they are in trouble and are willing willing willing to help them yourself? That's what to help them yourself? That's what to help them yourself? That's what devotion is. And devotion is. And devotion is. And I like that it's all I like that it's all I like that it's all voluntary.

voluntary. voluntary. People give joyfully and People give joyfully and People give joyfully and willingly to others, willingly to others, willingly to others, expecting nothing in expecting nothing in expecting nothing in return. This is return. This is return. This is actually clear actually clear actually clear from the end of verse 46, where it from the end of verse 46, where it from the end of verse 46, where it says that they had says that they had says that they had generous hearts. This word generous hearts. This word generous hearts. This word "generous" there indicates "generous" there indicates "generous" there indicates selfless selfless selfless generosity, without any generosity, without any generosity, without any conditions. And I conditions. And I conditions. And I like another like another like another way that verse 46 way that verse 46 way that verse 46 describes their hearts. describes their hearts. describes their hearts. It says: every day It says: every day It says: every day they they they were united in the temple, were united in the temple, were united in the temple, breaking bread from house to house, breaking bread from house to house, breaking bread from house to house, and eating their food with and eating their food with and eating their food with joy and simplicity of joy and simplicity of joy and simplicity of heart. I know that in heart. I know that in heart. I know that in English English English the word "radium" the word "radium" the word "radium" sounds a bit sounds a bit sounds a bit too simple. too simple. too simple. For example: "How are you? For example: "How are you? " "I...I'm glad." But this " "I...I'm glad." But this " "I...I'm glad." But this word is actually word is actually word is actually incredibly rare incredibly rare incredibly rare in the New Testament. And in the New Testament. And in the New Testament. And one of the few one of the few one of the few other places where this other places where this other places where this word occurs word occurs word occurs is in the book of Jude. This is a is in the book of Jude. This is a is in the book of Jude. This is a book that we, as a book that we, as a book that we, as a church family, church family, church family, will begin studying will begin studying will begin studying together next together next together next Sunday. And at the end of Sunday. And at the end of Sunday. And at the end of the book of Jude, the same word the book of Jude, the same word the book of Jude, the same word is translated as “ is translated as “ great joy.” It great joy.” It great joy.” It describes our reaction describes our reaction describes our reaction when we realize when we realize when we realize that God has removed that God has removed that God has removed the penalty for our sin the penalty for our sin the penalty for our sin and now sees us as and now sees us as and now sees us as blameless because of blameless because of blameless because of Jesus' sacrifice. You Jesus' sacrifice. You Jesus' sacrifice. You feel feel feel exalted when you exalted when you exalted when you realize that you were realize that you were realize that you were doomed to eternal doomed to eternal doomed to eternal separation from God, and separation from God, and separation from God, and now He has redeemed you now He has redeemed you . This is an extraordinary . This is an extraordinary . This is an extraordinary joy. It joy. It joy. It fills your fills your fills your heart. You are so heart. You are so heart. You are so aware of God's aware of God's aware of God's blessing in blessing in blessing in your life that you are your life that you are your life that you are enveloped in joy, which enveloped in joy, which enveloped in joy, which then spreads to then spreads to then spreads to others. This is what it means to others. This is what it means to others. This is what it means to experience God's mercy.

experience God's mercy. And God created His And God created His people so that we would people so that we would people so that we would feel such feel such feel such joy when we are joy when we are joy when we are together. Because we are together. Because we are together. Because we are reminded of what reminded of what reminded of what first united us. first united us. So...I need to So...I need to be a little more be a little more be a little more frank here. frank here. frank here. Especially here at Especially here at Especially here at Tysons. If you were Tysons. If you were Tysons. If you were here in February, we here in February, we here in February, we did a survey did a survey did a survey across the church, and right across the church, and right across the church, and right here at Tysons, it here at Tysons, it here at Tysons, it showed that meaningful showed that meaningful showed that meaningful relationships are the area where relationships are the area where relationships are the area where people in our people in our people in our place are having the place are having the place are having the most difficulty. most difficulty. This doesn't apply to everyone , as many of you , as many of you , as many of you have found meaningful have found meaningful have found meaningful community in different community in different community in different ways, and we ways, and we ways, and we hear about the fruits of that every week hear about the fruits of that every week . But when it comes to . But when it comes to . But when it comes to community and community and community and relationships, we scored relationships, we scored relationships, we scored 10% lower 10% lower than the than the than the national average among all national average among all national average among all churches churches churches surveyed. surveyed. At the same time, it was the At the same time, it was the second most second most second most prioritized area prioritized area that people indicated that people indicated that people indicated as the one in which they as the one in which they as the one in which they wanted to grow. It wanted to grow. It wanted to grow. It only gives way to only gives way to only gives way to the desire to grow in one the desire to grow in one the desire to grow in one 's relationship with 's relationship with 's relationship with Jesus. So, this is something Jesus. So, this is something Jesus. So, this is something we really want we really want , but feel is , but feel is , but feel is lacking. Which is lacking. Which is lacking. Which is not surprising at all. We not surprising at all. We not surprising at all. We live in one of the live in one of the live in one of the loneliest cities in loneliest cities in loneliest cities in America. And this should be America. And this should be America. And this should be obvious, but such a obvious, but such a obvious, but such a community will not arise community will not arise community will not arise by chance. This is not something by chance. This is not something by chance. This is not something we can we can we can just wait for. This is just wait for. This is just wait for. This is actually what actually what actually what we should be moving towards. And I we should be moving towards. And I we should be moving towards. And I understand the skepticism.

understand the skepticism. understand the skepticism. Especially in a Especially in a Especially in a church like ours, you church like ours, you church like ours, you wonder: Is wonder: Is wonder: Is this kind of community possible in a this kind of community possible in a this kind of community possible in a church as large church as large church as large as McLean Bible Church? And I, as McLean Bible Church? And I, as McLean Bible Church? And I, relying on relying on relying on the authority of God's the authority of God's the authority of God's word, can word, can word, can answer this with a answer this with a answer this with a resounding "yes." Because if resounding "yes." Because if resounding "yes." Because if you think about it, the you think about it, the you think about it, the newly formed church newly formed church newly formed church in Acts 2 was in Acts 2 was in Acts 2 was bigger than both of bigger than both of bigger than both of our Sunday our Sunday our Sunday morning meetings morning meetings morning meetings combined. And this was combined. And this was combined. And this was possible because those possible because those possible because those early Christians were early Christians were early Christians were committed to each other. committed to each other. And the good news is that And the good news is that there are so many there are so many there are so many ways to ways to ways to connect and form connect and form connect and form relationships with others in relationships with others in relationships with others in our church our church our church family. Many family. Many family. Many here at Tysons, as here at Tysons, as here at Tysons, as Mary said earlier: Mary said earlier: Mary said earlier: if you are new, if you are new, if you are new, plan to come to the plan to come to the plan to come to the open open open house next house next house next Sunday. This will be after Sunday. This will be after Sunday. This will be after both services where both services where both services where you can hear you can hear you can hear more about some of more about some of more about some of these opportunities. And I these opportunities. And I these opportunities. And I praise God that praise God that praise God that over a thousand people over a thousand people over a thousand people meet in meet in meet in church groups throughout church groups throughout church groups throughout our city, right our city, right our city, right here in the building. And the here in the building. And the here in the building. And the good news is that there good news is that there good news is that there is a place for you to is a place for you to is a place for you to join if join if join if you wish. We would be you wish. We would be you wish. We would be happy to help happy to help happy to help you connect with a you connect with a you connect with a church group. church group. church group. Just drop by the Just drop by the Just drop by the dating room dating room dating room after the service. We would be after the service. We would be after the service. We would be happy to help happy to help happy to help you join the you join the you join the group. As group. As group. As Mary said earlier, you Mary said earlier, you Mary said earlier, you might also consider might also consider might also consider joining a joining a joining a ministry. We ministry. We ministry. We hear time and time again from hear time and time again from hear time and time again from many of you that many of you that many of you that one of the greatest one of the greatest one of the greatest joys of being joys of being joys of being on a ministry team on a ministry team is getting to know the is getting to know the is getting to know the other people other people other people you work with. And you work with. And you work with. And when I think about when I think about when I think about how the early church was how the early church was how the early church was committed to meeting committed to meeting committed to meeting each other's needs, each other's needs, each other's needs, here we have significant here we have significant here we have significant needs that needs that needs that remain remain remain unmet. We unmet. We unmet. We highlighted many of highlighted many of highlighted many of these needs earlier in these needs earlier in these needs earlier in this series, especially this series, especially this series, especially when it comes to

when it comes to when it comes to ministry in our ministry in our ministry in our children's and children's and children's and welcome departments, welcome departments, welcome departments, citing the fact that of citing the fact that of citing the fact that of those who call those who call those who call Tysons their Tysons their Tysons their church, only about church, only about church, only about 15% of us are serving. And we 15% of us are serving. And we 15% of us are serving. And we praise God for so praise God for so praise God for so many of you who many of you who many of you who have responded to this in the have responded to this in the have responded to this in the last few last few last few weeks. We grew from 15% weeks. We grew from 15% to 18%. This is progress, but to 18%. This is progress, but to 18%. This is progress, but we have room to grow. We we have room to grow. We we have room to grow. We have room to grow. When you have room to grow. When you have room to grow. When you serve alongside serve alongside serve alongside others in church, you not others in church, you not others in church, you not only see God's only see God's only see God's work, you get to know work, you get to know work, you get to know others. There is a QR code here with others. There is a QR code here with others. There is a QR code here with information about information about information about different different different ministry opportunities, and what you ministry opportunities, and what you ministry opportunities, and what you received when you came in received when you came in received when you came in today will help today will help today will help you see some of you see some of you see some of those opportunities. And I those opportunities. And I those opportunities. And I also want to say that this is why also want to say that this is why creating a culture of creating a culture of hospitality is so hospitality is so hospitality is so central to our central to our central to our vision. vision. vision. Slow down Slow down Slow down enough to enough to enough to notice and notice and notice and interact with others. I've interact with others. I've interact with others. I've mentioned this mentioned this mentioned this before, but newbies before, but newbies before, but newbies often tell me that often tell me that often tell me that when they when they when they drive up to drive up to drive up to our building, it our building, it our building, it feels like they're feels like they're feels like they're at an airport. I don't know at an airport. I don't know at an airport. I don't know if you've ever if you've ever felt this way. I think it's mostly because of it's mostly because of it's mostly because of our garage, but they our garage, but they our garage, but they drive up and drive up and drive up and think, "I was think, "I was think, "I was going to going to McLean Bible Church." Did I McLean Bible Church." Did I get to Dulles?

get to Dulles? get to Dulles? They seem unsure of They seem unsure of where they are. But where they are. But where they are. But if we don't strive for a if we don't strive for a if we don't strive for a culture of hospitality culture of hospitality , then our buildings , then our buildings will be perceived as such. will be perceived as such. They will They will They will feel like an feel like an feel like an airport. You walk airport. You walk airport. You walk inside and everyone is inside and everyone is inside and everyone is focused only on focused only on focused only on getting to getting to getting to their seats with their seats with their seats with minimal human minimal human minimal human interaction. Brothers and interaction. Brothers and interaction. Brothers and sisters, church should sisters, church should sisters, church should feel different. feel different. feel different. People should People should People should feel this difference feel this difference feel this difference from the moment from the moment they step onto our they step onto our they step onto our territory. And I know territory. And I know territory. And I know our welcome our welcome our welcome teams are doing a great job teams are doing a great job trying to set the trying to set the right tone. right tone. right tone. I hope you I hope you I hope you will want to will want to will want to join them, but it is join them, but it is join them, but it is not only their not only their not only their duty. This is something for which duty. This is something for which duty. This is something for which each of us is each of us is each of us is responsible. responsible. responsible. In fact, we as a In fact, we as a In fact, we as a church family church family church family should strive to should strive to should strive to move from ranks to move from ranks to move from ranks to relationships. It doesn't have to relationships. It doesn't have to relationships. It doesn't have to be anything be anything be anything extravagant. extravagant. extravagant. In fact, we can In fact, we can In fact, we can do this in quite do this in quite do this in quite simple ways. simple ways. simple ways. Last week I Last week I Last week I spoke with a woman spoke with a woman spoke with a woman who saw an opportunity last Sunday to take a who saw an opportunity last Sunday to take a step toward helping step toward helping others. So others. So , while registering , while registering , while registering her children on the her children on the her children on the lower level, she lower level, she lower level, she overheard overheard overheard another family in line another family in line another family in line say, “Hi, this is our say, “Hi, this is our say, “Hi, this is our first time here. Where should we first time here. Where should we first time here. Where should we register our children?

register our children? » And she noticed that » And she noticed that » And she noticed that the children in this family were the children in this family were the children in this family were smaller, and they needed to be smaller, and they needed to be smaller, and they needed to be taken upstairs, to taken upstairs, to taken upstairs, to our preschool our preschool our preschool department, right next to the department, right next to the department, right next to the cafe. Although she cafe. Although she cafe. Although she was tempted to was tempted to was tempted to just walk past and just walk past and just walk past and ignore what she heard ignore what she heard —she had a long —she had a long —she had a long list of things to do list of things to do list of things to do after church on Sunday. after church on Sunday. after church on Sunday. She couldn't get She couldn't get Mike's exhortation last Mike's exhortation last Sunday out of her head to treat Sunday out of her head to treat Sunday out of her head to treat our church our church our church building like her building like her building like her own home. So own home. So own home. So she approached the she approached the she approached the family at the family at the family at the front desk and simply front desk and simply front desk and simply said, “Hi, I said, “Hi, I said, “Hi, I noticed you have noticed you have noticed you have young children. Their young children. Their young children. Their classes are held classes are held classes are held upstairs. Do you mind upstairs. Do you mind upstairs. Do you mind if I take you if I take you if I take you where they where they where they need to go?” And she need to go?” And she need to go?” And she spent an extra 5 spent an extra 5 spent an extra 5 minutes to escort minutes to escort minutes to escort them upstairs. That's the whole them upstairs. That's the whole them upstairs. That's the whole story. It's so story. It's so story. It's so simple, but it makes a simple, but it makes a simple, but it makes a huge difference. I huge difference. I huge difference. I know I've talked about this a lot know I've talked about this a lot know I've talked about this a lot . You're probably . You're probably . You're probably thinking, "Nate, you're thinking, "Nate, you're thinking, "Nate, you're meddling a little bit meddling a little bit meddling a little bit ." "You're meddling ." "You're meddling ." "You're meddling in other people's business." I know in other people's business." I know . I know. But I so fervently . I know. But I so fervently . I know. But I so fervently desire desire desire to encourage many to encourage many to encourage many of you to take of you to take of you to take God at his word on God at his word on God at his word on this matter. Because in the this matter. Because in the 10th chapter of the Epistle 10th chapter of the Epistle 10th chapter of the Epistle to the Hebrews, a verse from to the Hebrews, a verse from to the Hebrews, a verse from which is written in which is written in which is written in our cafe at the end of our cafe at the end of our cafe at the end of the corridor, it says: “ the corridor, it says: “ Let us consider one Let us consider one Let us consider one another to another to another to incite to incite to incite to love and good works love and good works , not forsaking our own , not forsaking our own , not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the assembling together, as is the habit of some, but habit of some, but encouraging one encouraging one encouraging one another, and all the more as another, and all the more as another, and all the more as you see you see you see the the the day approaching.” This is a common day approaching.” This is a common day approaching.” This is a common aspiration of many aspiration of many aspiration of many of us. And I want

of us. And I want of us. And I want you to experience the joy of you to experience the joy of you to experience the joy of relationships in the body of relationships in the body of relationships in the body of Christ. That's why Christ. That's why Christ. That's why I love I love I love our church family so much. our church family so much. our church family so much. This is what has kept me This is what has kept me This is what has kept me here for 18 years. here for 18 years. here for 18 years. It's not about our It's not about our It's not about our buildings, it's not about our buildings, it's not about our buildings, it's not about our programs, it's about you. In programs, it's about you. In programs, it's about you. In people. Many of people. Many of people. Many of you have become like you have become like you have become like family to me. And I family to me. And I family to me. And I desperately want desperately want desperately want more of you to more of you to more of you to dare to dare to dare to step forward so step forward so step forward so that you too can that you too can that you too can feel that kind of love feel that kind of love feel that kind of love from this church from this church from this church family. So I want family. So I want family. So I want you to think: What you to think: What you to think: What step should you take to step should you take to step should you take to reach out to reach out to reach out to others in our church? others in our church? others in our church? What might this look like? What might this look like? What might this look like? I know what I know what I know what excuses are already excuses are already excuses are already running through your running through your running through your mind. For example, I mind. For example, I mind. For example, I know it's uncomfortable. know it's uncomfortable. know it's uncomfortable. That's right. This will bring That's right. This will bring That's right. This will bring challenges. Just challenges. Just challenges. Just reread the rest of the reread the rest of the reread the rest of the book of Acts and book of Acts and book of Acts and you will see how the church you will see how the church you will see how the church faced faced faced challenges. And this challenges. And this challenges. And this will require sacrifice. Which will require sacrifice. Which will require sacrifice. Which was also characteristic of the was also characteristic of the was also characteristic of the early church. They early church. They early church. They were willing were willing were willing to give up their time, to give up their time, to give up their time, their possessions, their their possessions, their their possessions, their finances, their homes, and, finances, their homes, and, finances, their homes, and, perhaps most difficult of perhaps most difficult of perhaps most difficult of all, their all, their all, their preferences. Of course, preferences. Of course, preferences. Of course, it comes at a price, but that it comes at a price, but that it comes at a price, but that price is worth it. This is price is worth it. This is price is worth it. This is part of that part of that part of that abundant life for which abundant life for which abundant life for which Jesus Jesus Jesus saved us. And it saved us. And it saved us. And it all starts with a all starts with a all starts with a willingness to move willingness to move willingness to move towards others. And I will towards others. And I will towards others. And I will briefly mention why briefly mention why briefly mention why church membership is church membership is church membership is so important. You see, so important. You see, so important. You see, membership is a way membership is a way membership is a way in which you formally in which you formally in which you formally express your express your express your commitment to the other commitment to the other commitment to the other members and leaders of a members and leaders of a members and leaders of a particular church particular church particular church family. So, if this family. So, if this family. So, if this vision is close to you vision is close to you vision is close to you and you haven't yet taken the and you haven't yet taken the and you haven't yet taken the step to join

step to join step to join our church our church our church family, I want to family, I want to family, I want to encourage you to encourage you to encourage you to do so soon. do so soon. do so soon. Our process Our process Our process begins with begins with begins with attending an attending an attending an orientation orientation orientation meeting and speaking with a meeting and speaking with a meeting and speaking with a pastor or pastor or pastor or elder so we elder so we elder so we can get to know can get to know can get to know you and help you and help you and help you grow in your faith. We have you grow in your faith. We have you grow in your faith. We have two such two such two such meetings ahead of us. One meetings ahead of us. One meetings ahead of us. One in late October and the in late October and the in late October and the other in early other in early other in early November. You can November. You can November. You can learn more at learn more at learn more at mclanebible.org/classes, mclanebible.org/classes, mclanebible.org/classes, but become a but become a but become a part of this part of this part of this church family church family church family if this vision if this vision if this vision resonates with resonates with resonates with your heart. And now, your heart. And now, your heart. And now, in closing, I want in closing, I want in closing, I want you to see something else in you to see something else in you to see something else in this passage this passage this passage today. Namely: our today. Namely: our today. Namely: our unity is what God unity is what God unity is what God uses to uses to uses to bring people to bring people to bring people to Himself. This is deliberate. And this is Himself. This is deliberate. And this is Himself. This is deliberate. And this is important for our important for our important for our witness and our witness and our witness and our mission as a church. Because mission as a church. Because mission as a church. Because when we come when we come when we come together, it becomes a living together, it becomes a living together, it becomes a living testimony to the testimony to the testimony to the whole world. This is whole world. This is whole world. This is surprising because surprising because surprising because it makes no sense to the world it makes no sense to the world it makes no sense to the world . And you see it . And you see it . And you see it here, in this hall.

here, in this hall. here, in this hall. Take a moment and Take a moment and Take a moment and just look just look just look around. Look around. Look around. Look around this room. around this room. around this room. This family that This family that This family that God has brought together. By God's grace, God has brought together. By God's grace, God has brought together. By God's grace, our church family is our church family is our church family is made up of people made up of people made up of people from over a hundred different from over a hundred different from over a hundred different nations, from many nations, from many nations, from many different walks of life, stages of different walks of life, stages of different walks of life, stages of life, and, yes, even life, and, yes, even life, and, yes, even political views. political views. political views. This is amazing and this is This is amazing and this is This is amazing and this is beautiful. beautiful. beautiful. Amen. Amen. And this is only possible And this is only possible because of our because of our because of our shared faith, our shared faith, our shared faith, our communion in Jesus. communion in Jesus. communion in Jesus. There is no other reason There is no other reason There is no other reason why we would spend why we would spend why we would spend time together on Sunday. And time together on Sunday. And time together on Sunday. And when the church loves and when the church loves and when the church loves and serves one another in serves one another in serves one another in this way, it this way, it this way, it demonstrates the Gospel demonstrates the Gospel demonstrates the Gospel and invites the nations and invites the nations and invites the nations to join in as well. It's to join in as well. It's to join in as well. It's something otherworldly and something otherworldly and something otherworldly and contagious, because the world contagious, because the world contagious, because the world sees it and says, "I sees it and says, "I sees it and says, "I want this too." Not want this too." Not want this too." Not realizing that this is exactly what realizing that this is exactly what realizing that this is exactly what they they they were created for. were created for. In fact, Jesus told his disciples before In fact, Jesus told his disciples before his crucifixion his crucifixion his crucifixion that this was how the that this was how the that this was how the world would know world would know world would know who his disciples were. In who his disciples were. In who his disciples were. In the Gospel of John 13 the Gospel of John 13 :34-35 Jesus says, “A new :34-35 Jesus says, “A new :34-35 Jesus says, “A new commandment I give to you, that commandment I give to you, that commandment I give to you, that you love one another you love one another .” "As I have loved you, .” "As I have loved you, .” "As I have loved you, so you also love one so you also love one so you also love one another." "By this another." "By this another." "By this all will know that you are all will know that you are all will know that you are my disciples, if you have my disciples, if you have my disciples, if you have love for one another."

love for one another." love for one another." And this is what the And this is what the And this is what the early church experienced in early church experienced in early church experienced in Acts. You can't Acts. You can't Acts. You can't miss this when miss this when miss this when looking at the passage looking at the passage looking at the passage we studied we studied we studied today. today. today. Go back to Go back to Go back to verse 42. It says: "And verse 42. It says: "And verse 42. It says: "And they continued steadfastly they continued steadfastly they continued steadfastly in in in the apostles' the apostles' the apostles' teaching and fellowship, teaching and fellowship, teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and in in the breaking of bread and in in the breaking of bread and in prayers." "And fear prayers." "And fear prayers." "And fear seized every soul." seized every soul." Fear gripped every Fear gripped every soul. And this applies soul. And this applies soul. And this applies not only to the people in the not only to the people in the not only to the people in the church, but also to those who church, but also to those who church, but also to those who observe the observe the observe the church. The world sees church. The world sees church. The world sees what God is doing in them and what God is doing in them and what God is doing in them and among them, and they are among them, and they are among them, and they are filled with wonder. filled with wonder. filled with wonder. Now let's go back Now let's go back Now let's go back to verse 46. to verse 46. to verse 46. Day by day, continuing Day by day, continuing Day by day, continuing with one accord in the temple and with one accord in the temple and with one accord in the temple and breaking bread from house to house breaking bread from house to house , they ate their food with , they ate their food with , they ate their food with gladness and sincerity of gladness and sincerity of gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and heart, praising God and heart, praising God and having favor with having favor with having favor with all the people. The church all the people. The church all the people. The church was not a burden. They was not a burden. They was not a burden. They were a blessing. were a blessing. were a blessing. Not only to Not only to Not only to each other, but also to the community each other, but also to the community . Actually, this is one of the . Actually, this is one of the . Actually, this is one of the examples in the examples in the examples in the next section. next section. next section. The church The church The church worships together in the temple.

worships together in the temple. worships together in the temple. God would use Peter God would use Peter God would use Peter and John to heal and John to heal and John to heal a man who had been a man who had been a man who had been lame from lame from lame from birth. He is 40 birth. He is 40 birth. He is 40 years old. And this is an amazing years old. And this is an amazing years old. And this is an amazing spectacle of God's spectacle of God's spectacle of God's grace. It was as if their grace. It was as if their grace. It was as if their communication with communication with communication with each other was each other was each other was contagious and contagious and contagious and attracted attracted attracted everyone's affection everyone's affection everyone's affection . One of the things . One of the things . One of the things I prayed about I prayed about I prayed about this week: God, this week: God, this week: God, could You could You could You use our use our use our church in our city church in our city church in our city so that if NBC so that if NBC so that if NBC ever ceased to ever ceased to ever ceased to exist, the District of exist, the District of exist, the District of Columbia would feel that Columbia would feel that Columbia would feel that loss. And then, loss. And then, loss. And then, finally, in verse 47: finally, in verse 47: finally, in verse 47: And the Lord And the Lord And the Lord added to their added to their added to their number daily those who were number daily those who were number daily those who were being saved. More being saved. More being saved. More people are experiencing people are experiencing people are experiencing life in abundance in life in abundance in life in abundance in Jesus. So, Jesus. So, Jesus. So, returning to the returning to the returning to the sentence we sentence we sentence we began with, a church began with, a church began with, a church filled with the filled with the filled with the Spirit of God, committed to seeking Spirit of God, committed to seeking Spirit of God, committed to seeking God and to a shared mission God and to a shared mission God and to a shared mission with God's people, with God's people, with God's people, will experience the joy and power of will experience the joy and power of will experience the joy and power of God. God.

Amen. So, Tyson church family So, Tyson church family , are we ready , are we ready , are we ready to commit ourselves to what to commit ourselves to what to commit ourselves to what this vision will require this vision will require this vision will require ? Are we ready to ? Are we ready to ? Are we ready to do this? I have to do this? I have to do this? I have to admit, I have no idea admit, I have no idea admit, I have no idea what the what the what the next 5 years will bring. But next 5 years will bring. But next 5 years will bring. But I know that if we I know that if we I know that if we are willing to are willing to are willing to dedicate ourselves to dedicate ourselves to dedicate ourselves to seeking God and being seeking God and being seeking God and being together, we can together, we can together, we can see Jesus see Jesus see Jesus building His church and building His church and building His church and be a part of it, be a part of it, be a part of it, because He promised it. It is because He promised it. It is because He promised it. It is worth worth worth dedicating your dedicating your dedicating your life to. This is what I want to life to. This is what I want to life to. This is what I want to do. I want to give do. I want to give do. I want to give you a moment to you a moment to you a moment to just answer just answer just answer or reflect on or reflect on or reflect on a few questions a few questions . We will bring them to the . We will bring them to the . We will bring them to the screen. I've said some of this screen. I've said some of this screen. I've said some of this before, but just before, but just before, but just think for a moment: think for a moment: think for a moment: What do you want to What do you want to What do you want to grow in right now in grow in right now in grow in right now in your pursuit of your pursuit of your pursuit of Jesus? And what one Jesus? And what one Jesus? And what one step could you step could you step could you take this fall take this fall take this fall to help to help to help move in that move in that move in that direction? And then I direction? And then I direction? And then I want you to think about want you to think about want you to think about how you would describe your how you would describe your how you would describe your relationships with others in the relationships with others in the relationships with others in the church? Based church? Based church? Based on this answer, on this answer, on this answer, what might God what might God what might God prompt you to do this prompt you to do this prompt you to do this fall to reach out to fall to reach out to fall to reach out to others in others in others in our church our church our church family? And if you are here family? And if you are here family? And if you are here today and have not yet today and have not yet today and have not yet trusted Jesus, I trusted Jesus, I trusted Jesus, I want to invite you to want to invite you to trust Him during this time. You trust Him during this time. You can use can use can use this time to simply this time to simply this time to simply admit to God admit to God admit to God that you are a sinner and that you are a sinner and that you are a sinner and want to receive His want to receive His want to receive His forgiveness. And God forgiveness. And God forgiveness. And God promises that when we promises that when we promises that when we do this, He will welcome do this, He will welcome do this, He will welcome us with open us with open us with open arms. So arms. So arms. So let me give let me give let me give you a few minutes to you a few minutes to you a few minutes to think about it. And then I will take think about it. And then I will take think about it. And then I will take us further.

us further. us further. Just take Just take Just take a moment for a moment for a moment for yourself now. I encourage you to yourself now. I encourage you to yourself now. I encourage you to continue to continue to continue to pray and pray and pray and reflect on reflect on reflect on this throughout the week.

this throughout the week. this throughout the week. If you are in a church If you are in a church If you are in a church group, it may be worth group, it may be worth group, it may be worth discussing this discussing this discussing this with your community. with your community. with your community. I want to end I want to end I want to end today's meeting a little today's meeting a little today's meeting a little differently. We have differently. We have differently. We have done this several done this several done this several times before, and we have times before, and we have times before, and we have seen God act in seen God act in seen God act in response to the response to the response to the church's commitment to church's commitment to church's commitment to prayer. So, I want to prayer. So, I want to prayer. So, I want to bring up bring up bring up a few a few a few prayer prompts. If you feel prayer prompts. If you feel prayer prompts. If you feel comfortable, I invite comfortable, I invite comfortable, I invite you to gather now you to gather now you to gather now with two or three with two or three with two or three people around you, or with your people around you, or with your people around you, or with your family, or you can family, or you can family, or you can pray alone. And pray alone. And pray alone. And if you're thinking, "Wow, if you're thinking, "Wow, if you're thinking, "Wow, that's kind of weird." What does that's kind of weird." What does that's kind of weird." What does he require of us? he require of us? he require of us? This is completely normal. This is completely normal. This is completely normal. You can just You can just You can just watch. But I watch. But I watch. But I want us as a want us as a want us as a church family to church family to church family to take time to take time to take time to petition petition petition God regarding God regarding God regarding our vision, our vision, our vision, asking Him to do what asking Him to do what asking Him to do what only only only He can do. We will display these He can do. We will display these He can do. We will display these points on the screen. points on the screen. points on the screen. You can You can You can take pictures of them take pictures of them take pictures of them to take with you to take with you to take with you and continue to and continue to and continue to pray for them pray for them pray for them in the coming in the coming in the coming weeks. Now, weeks. Now, weeks. Now, let us together as a let us together as a let us together as a church family church family church family turn to God, turn to God, turn to God, asking Him asking Him asking Him to accomplish this work. I'll to accomplish this work. I'll to accomplish this work. I'll give you a few minutes give you a few minutes so you can do so you can do so you can do this in groups or this in groups or this in groups or individually. And individually. And individually. And then I'll get back to then I'll get back to then I'll get back to you. I will pray for us you. I will pray for us , and then lead us in , and then lead us in , and then lead us in prayer together, so that prayer together, so that prayer together, so that we, as the entire we, as the entire we, as the entire Tysons church family, can Tysons church family, can turn to turn to the Lord with one voice, asking Him the Lord with one voice, asking Him the Lord with one voice, asking Him to do what to do what to do what only He can do.

only He can do. only He can do. So, gather So, gather So, gather together with those together with those together with those around you. Find time around you. Find time around you. Find time for prayer. for prayer. for prayer. Try to keep Try to keep Try to keep these prayers short these prayers short these prayers short to give to give to give everyone a chance to join in and everyone a chance to join in and everyone a chance to join in and pray together. pray together. pray together. Then I'll move on to the Then I'll move on to the Then I'll move on to the next part. next part. next part. Let's gather Let's gather Let's gather together and pray. together and pray. Heavenly Father, we Heavenly Father, we thank You for thank You for thank You for hearing every hearing every hearing every prayer we have just prayer we have just prayer we have just offered to Your offered to Your offered to Your throne. We have throne. We have throne. We have confidence and know confidence and know confidence and know from Your Word that You from Your Word that You from Your Word that You promise to answer promise to answer promise to answer these prayers. these prayers. these prayers. Maybe not in the way we Maybe not in the way we Maybe not in the way we expect, but You expect, but You expect, but You will act as a will act as a will act as a result. We ask result. We ask , God, to help , God, to help , God, to help each of us each of us each of us understand what it means understand what it means understand what it means to dedicate ourselves to what to dedicate ourselves to what to dedicate ourselves to what You have called You have called You have called this church family this church family this church family to strive for over the to strive for over the to strive for over the next 5 years. And next 5 years. And next 5 years. And we ask God to we ask God to we ask God to do something do something do something far more abundant than far more abundant than far more abundant than anything we could anything we could anything we could ask or imagine.