Embracing the Church: A Call to Unity and Devotion
Summary
Today, we gathered to seek more of God’s presence—not just in our own lives, but in our city and our church. We prayed for God to do exceedingly more than we could ask or imagine, recognizing that our neediness is not a weakness but an invitation for God to move. As we reflected on the journey of our church, from a small group in a living room to a network of community groups across the city, we celebrated that the church is not a building or a service, but a people called out by God.
We explored the meaning behind the phrase “the holy catholic church” in the Apostles’ Creed. The word “catholic” simply means “universal”—it’s not about a denomination, but about the worldwide body of believers Jesus is saving from every nation, language, and tribe. The church is holy, set apart by God, and called to live differently from the world. We are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation—not because of anything we’ve done, but because of what Jesus has done for us.
Scripture teaches that the church is a people, not a place. The Greek word “ecclesia” means a group called out by God. The “communion of saints” is not about super-Christians or people we pray to, but about all who have been sanctified by Christ and are called to live together in unity. The early church in Acts 2 was marked by devotion—to the apostles’ teaching, to fellowship, to breaking bread, and to prayer. They shared their lives, their possessions, and their hearts. They lived in awe of God’s work among them, and the Lord added to their number daily.
We also acknowledged the reality of “church hurt”—that people, including pastors, can be wounded by the church. But the church is still God’s idea, and Jesus is its head. We are called to repent of treating church as optional, irrelevant, or consumeristic, and instead to embrace the gift of being part of God’s people. Forgiveness and healing are possible, and we are invited to join in the movement of God through his church—devoted, generous, and united in mission.
Key Takeaways
- The Church Is a Holy People, Not a Building
God calls his people a “holy nation,” set apart to live differently from the world. Holiness is not about perfection, but about being distinct—marked by God’s presence and purpose. The church is not a place we go, but a people we are, called to reflect God’s character in every aspect of life. [01:03:50]
- The Universal Church Transcends All Barriers
In Christ, there is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female; we are all one. The “catholic” (universal) church is a global, multi-ethnic, multi-generational family, united by faith in Jesus. Our unity is not based on preferences or backgrounds, but on the saving work of Christ that brings together people from every nation and culture. [01:05:12]
- True Church Life Is Devotion, Not Consumerism
The early church was devoted to teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer—not just attending a service. Church is not a buffet where we pick what we like; it’s a community where we give, serve, and share life. Devotion flows from love for Jesus and loyalty to his people, not from personal convenience or preference. [01:22:06]
- The Church Is God’s Gift for Our Healing and Growth
Though many have experienced “church hurt,” the church remains God’s chosen instrument for our spiritual growth and healing. We are called to forgive, to seek restoration, and to remember that Jesus is the head of the church. The presence of God dwells uniquely among his gathered people, offering us support, accountability, and transformation. [01:36:19]
- Participation in the Church Is an Invitation to Awe and Mission
When we embrace the biblical vision of church, we experience awe, generosity, and the miraculous work of God. The church is not just a worship service, but a movement of people living on mission—sharing possessions, making disciples, and seeing lives changed. Joining the church’s mission means joining in God’s ongoing work of salvation and transformation in the world. [01:30:57]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[47:05] - Praying for More of God’s Presence
[01:03:50] - What Makes the Church Holy?
[01:05:12] - The Meaning of “Catholic” and the Universal Church
[01:06:40] - The Communion of Saints
[01:09:09] - Church Hurt and God’s Vision for His People
[01:11:39] - Common Misconceptions About Church
[01:13:19] - Individualism and Consumerism in Church Life
[01:16:11] - Church Is Not a Building or a Service
[01:18:02] - Teaching the Next Generation: What Is the Church?
[01:19:20] - Acts 2: The Blueprint for Church Life
[01:22:06] - Devotion and the Marks of the Early Church
[01:24:58] - Living in Awe and the Presence of God
[01:28:04] - Radical Generosity and Unity
[01:30:57] - The Church on Mission
[01:32:27] - Responding: Repentance, Forgiveness, and Joining In
[01:36:19] - Healing and Restoration in the Church
[01:41:02] - Communion, Worship, and Generosity
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Church—A Holy People on Mission
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### Bible Reading
- 1 Peter 2:9
"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."
- Galatians 3:28
"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
- Acts 2:42-47
"They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."
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### Observation Questions
1. In 1 Peter 2:9, what titles and descriptions does Peter use for the church, and what do they mean about our identity as God’s people?
2. According to Galatians 3:28, what barriers does the gospel break down within the church?
3. In Acts 2:42-47, what were the main things the early church devoted themselves to?
4. The sermon said, “The church is not a place we go, but a people we are, called to reflect God’s character in every aspect of life.” What are some ways the early church lived this out? [[01:03:50]]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Peter calls the church a “holy nation” and a “royal priesthood”? What does it mean for us to be “set apart” in our everyday lives? [[01:03:50]]
2. The sermon explained that “catholic” means “universal”—not a denomination, but the worldwide body of believers. How does this understanding affect the way we view other Christians who are different from us? [[01:05:12]]
3. The early church was described as being “devoted” to teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer. What does true devotion look like, and how is it different from just attending a service or being a “consumer” of church? [[01:22:06]]
4. The sermon acknowledged “church hurt” but said the church is still God’s idea and Jesus is its head. Why is it important to seek forgiveness and healing, and not give up on the church? [[01:36:19]]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon challenged us to repent of treating church as “optional, irrelevant, or consumeristic.” In what ways have you been tempted to see church this way? What would it look like to repent and change your mindset? [[01:33:22]]
2. Acts 2 describes a church marked by generosity, unity, and awe. Is there a specific way you could be more generous or open your life to others in your community group or church family this month? [[01:28:04]]
3. The early church “shared their lives, their possessions, and their hearts.” Is there something you have (time, resources, encouragement) that you could share with someone in need? What’s one step you could take this week? [[01:28:56]]
4. The sermon talked about “church hurt” and the need for forgiveness and healing. If you’ve been hurt by the church, what would it look like to begin a journey of forgiveness? Is there someone you need to forgive, or a conversation you need to have? [[01:36:19]]
5. The church is described as a people “on mission”—not just a worship service, but a movement. What is one way you can join in God’s mission through your church this season? (Serving, inviting someone, joining a group, etc.) [[01:30:57]]
6. The sermon said, “The presence of God dwells uniquely among his gathered people.” How does this truth change the way you approach gathering with other believers? [[01:25:42]]
7. Think about the idea that “holiness is not about perfection, but about being distinct—marked by God’s presence and purpose.” What is one area of your life where you want to live more “set apart” for God? [[01:03:50]]
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Close in prayer, asking God to help your group live as his holy people—devoted, generous, forgiving, and united in his mission.
Devotional
Day 1: The Church is a Holy People Set Apart by God
God calls His people to be holy, not because of anything they have done, but because He has chosen them and set them apart as His own possession. This holiness means living differently from the world, speaking and acting in ways that reflect God’s character, and proclaiming the excellencies of the One who called them out of darkness into His marvelous light. The church is not just another group or club; it is a people marked by God’s presence and purpose, distinct from every other gathering on earth. [53:00]
1 Peter 2:9 (ESV)
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
Reflection: In what area of your life do you sense God calling you to live differently from the world, and how can you intentionally reflect His holiness in that area today?
Day 2: The Church is One Body—United Across All Divides
In Christ, all barriers that typically divide people—ethnicity, status, gender—are broken down, and believers are made one. The church is a universal family, not limited by background, culture, or personal preference, but united by faith in Jesus. This unity is a powerful witness to the world, showing that the love of Christ transcends every human boundary and brings together a diverse people as one body. [57:30]
Galatians 3:28 (ESV)
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Reflection: Who is someone in your church family who is different from you in background or perspective? How can you reach out to them this week to build unity in Christ?
Day 3: The Church is a People Called Out and Gathered by God
The church is not a building or a service, but a group of people called out by God, loved by Him, and set apart to be saints. This calling is not about personal preference or convenience, but about joining with others who have been changed by Jesus to live out the gospel together. Being part of the church means belonging to a community that is defined by God’s love and purpose, not by our own comfort or desires. [01:05:12]
Romans 1:7 (ESV)
To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Reflection: What is one step you can take this week to more fully engage with the people God has called you to walk alongside in your church community?
Day 4: The Church is Devoted to Life Together—Worship, Fellowship, Generosity, and Prayer
The early church was marked by deep devotion—not just to worship services, but to the apostles’ teaching, genuine fellowship, sharing meals, prayer, generosity, and meeting needs. Church was not an optional or individualistic activity, but a daily, joyful, and sacrificial life together. This kind of community is a gift from God, designed to help believers grow, support one another, and display God’s love to the world. [01:24:08]
Acts 2:42-47 (ESV)
And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Reflection: Which aspect of the early church’s devotion—teaching, fellowship, generosity, or prayer—do you most need to grow in, and what is one practical way you can pursue that this week?
Day 5: Responding to God’s Gift of the Church—Repentance, Forgiveness, and Joining the Mission
God calls His people to value the church as Jesus does, repenting of attitudes of individualism or consumerism, and seeking forgiveness for hurts received or given. The church is a gift and a mission, not just a place to attend but a movement to join. By committing to serve, forgive, and participate in the life of the church, believers experience healing, awe, and the joy of seeing God work through His people. [01:33:22]
Ephesians 4:1-3 (ESV)
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Reflection: Is there a step of repentance, forgiveness, or commitment that God is prompting you to take in relation to His church? What will you do today to respond to His call?
Quotes
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