Matt Nelson - February 2, 2025
Part 2 - Devoted to the Gospel
DEVOTED Devoted to the Gospel 2.2.25 Acts 2:41-42 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Willie James Jennings, Commentary on Acts… The church was being carried forward by the incredible power of the Holy Spirit, but now they had to commit themselves to the daily transforming practices of the Spirit. Just like the winds of the Holy Spirit were blowing through the house at Pentecost, now the wind of the Spirit was blowing through structured and settled ways of living – the ordinary – the everyday. Between the occasional spectacular moments in the church are many ordinary days that require steadfast devotion. Four pillars of devotion: 1) Apostles’ Teaching (the gospel) 2) Fellowship – Life Together 3) Breaking of Bread 4) Prayer What does it mean to be a church DEVOTED to the GOSPEL? 1. Devotion to the gospel shapes every aspect of our lives around the life, death, resurrection, and lordship of Jesus Christ. Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. What does it mean to be a church DEVOTED to the GOSPEL? 2. Devotion to the gospel confronts and uproots the false idols and deceptive ideas that fill our lives. False Idols & Gospel Responses: · Individualism – The gospel calls us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and live in humble submission to Christ and one another (Phil 2:3-4) · Consumerism – The gospel teaches us that our lives are not our own and we are called to lay ourselves down for the sake of God’s kingdom (Gal 2:20) · Power and control – Jesus redefines greatness, calling us to a life of servanthood, humility, and trust in Him (Phil 2:5-8) · Relationships or family – While relationships are a gift from God, only Christ can satisfy the deepest longings of our souls and must be our first love · Comfort and pleasure – The gospel is not about the easy life but about faithfulness and obedience, embracing a life of sacrifice · World pursuits – Instead of chasing worldly success, we pursue holiness, knowing the fullness of life and joy are found in submitting ourselves to Christ’s lordship What does it mean to be a church DEVOTED to the GOSPEL? 3. Devotion to the gospel transforms the way we relate to others and reshapes how we see the people around us.