Going All In: Embracing Community and Commitment
Summary
### Summary
Welcome to Compass North Fort Worth, where our mission is navigating people to God. Today, we embark on a new series called "All In," inspired by the early church in Acts 2. This series aims to challenge us to fully commit to our mission and community, just as the early believers did. In Acts 2, we see a church that was 100% devoted to the apostles' teaching, fellowship, sharing meals, and prayer. They were in awe of what God was doing among them, and we want to experience that same sense of awe here at Compass North Fort Worth.
In 2017, my family and I moved from Pennsylvania to Texas, a move we never anticipated. But God was at work upstream, preparing us for this mission. Similarly, Compass leadership made significant investments to launch new campuses, believing in our mission to navigate people to God. This commitment reminds me of the early church's dedication, and I believe we are called to the same level of commitment.
Going "all in" may require taking risks and stepping out in faith, but it's about trusting that God is at work. When we look at Acts 2, we see a church that met together, shared everything, and worshiped daily. They were a movement, not confined to a building but united in purpose. This is the kind of community we aspire to be.
I challenge you to go all in on two fronts: the gathering and community. Hebrews 10:25 urges us not to neglect meeting together. Regular attendance at church has decreased, but the early church met together 100% of the time. This gathering is crucial for experiencing the power and presence of the Holy Spirit.
Secondly, go all in for community. The early church met in homes, shared meals, and supported each other. We need community because we were not created to do life alone. In community, everyone knows your name, you are cared for, and you care for others. Just like the redwood trees that support each other through intertwined roots, we need to be interconnected to weather life's storms.
As we move forward, I encourage you to get involved. Whether it's starting a new community group, joining an existing one, or participating in our Rooted discipleship program, take the next step. Let's be a church that goes all in, experiencing the awe and wonder of what God can do through us.
### Key Takeaways
1. Commitment to Gathering: Hebrews 10:25 emphasizes the importance of not neglecting our meeting together. Regular attendance at church is crucial for experiencing the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. The early church met together 100% of the time, and we should strive for the same level of commitment. [49:30]
2. The Importance of Community: The early church met in homes, shared meals, and supported each other. We were not created to do life alone. In community, everyone knows your name, you are cared for, and you care for others. This interconnectedness is vital for spiritual growth and support. [56:39]
3. Taking Risks in Faith: Going all in may require taking risks and stepping out in faith. Trust that God is at work upstream, preparing the way. Just as my family moved to Texas without knowing what lay ahead, we must trust that God is guiding us in our mission. [42:23]
4. Experiencing Awe: The early church lived with a deep sense of awe because of what God was doing among them. When we fully commit to our mission and community, we too can experience this awe and wonder. Let's strive to be a church that is continually amazed by God's work. [43:52]
5. Interconnected Support: Like the redwood trees that support each other through intertwined roots, we need to be interconnected to weather life's storms. In community, we share our strengths and support those who are struggling, creating a resilient and caring church family. [01:08:51]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[37:13] - Introduction and Mission
[38:05] - Service Time Changes
[38:54] - Personal Journey to Texas
[39:51] - Launching New Campuses
[40:47] - Compass' Commitment
[41:37] - Going All In
[42:23] - Taking Risks in Faith
[43:07] - Acts 2:42-47
[43:52] - Devotion and Awe
[44:40] - Growth and Miracles
[45:38] - Community and Gathering
[46:36] - Acts 2:44-47
[47:26] - Ekklesia vs. Kurser
[48:29] - The Power of Gathering
[49:30] - Commitment to Gathering
[50:28] - The Importance of Community
[51:09] - Challenges of Online Church
[52:38] - Encouragement for Online Viewers
[53:17] - The Full Experience of Gathering
[54:09] - The Need for Physical Gathering
[55:29] - Challenge to Commit
[56:06] - Experiencing Awe
[56:39] - Community in Acts 2
[57:12] - The Need for Community
[58:28] - Loneliness and Community
[59:06] - Created for Community
[01:00:09] - Jesus' Model of Community
[01:01:13] - The Importance of Knowing Each Other
[01:02:20] - Circles are Better than Rows
[01:03:28] - The Value of Community
[01:04:43] - Caring for Each Other
[01:05:25] - Acts 2:42-47 Revisited
[01:06:40] - The Challenge of Caring for Everyone
[01:07:15] - The Power of Small Communities
[01:08:07] - Putting Down Roots
[01:08:51] - The Redwood Tree Analogy
[01:09:42] - The Covering of Community
[01:10:28] - The Call to Go All In
[01:11:10] - Practical Steps to Get Involved
[01:12:17] - Starting New Groups
[01:12:57] - The Call to Be Courageous
[01:13:32] - Closing Prayer and Challenge
[01:14:42] - Final Encouragement and Dismissal
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. 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."
2. Hebrews 10:25: "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
3. Ecclesiastes 4:12: "Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."
### Observation Questions
1. What were the four main activities the early church devoted themselves to according to Acts 2:42?
2. How often did the early church meet together, and what did they do during these gatherings? (Acts 2:46)
3. According to Hebrews 10:25, what are we encouraged not to neglect, and why is this important? [49:30]
4. What analogy is used in the sermon to describe the interconnected support within a community, and how does it relate to the early church? [01:08:51]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think the early church's devotion to teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer led to a sense of awe among the believers? [43:52]
2. How does the concept of "going all in" for gathering and community reflect the practices of the early church in Acts 2? [41:37]
3. What are some potential risks and rewards of stepping out in faith and fully committing to a church community, as discussed in the sermon? [42:23]
4. How does the analogy of the redwood trees' interconnected roots help us understand the importance of community in the church? [01:08:51]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current commitment to gathering with your church community. How often do you attend, and what steps can you take to be more consistent? [49:30]
2. Think about a time when you experienced a deep sense of awe in your faith journey. What contributed to that experience, and how can you seek to cultivate that sense of awe in your current church involvement? [43:52]
3. In what ways can you actively contribute to the sense of community within your church? Are there specific actions you can take to support and care for others? [01:05:25]
4. Consider the risks you might need to take to go "all in" for your church community. What fears or uncertainties do you have, and how can you trust that God is at work upstream? [42:23]
5. How can you ensure that you are not just attending church but also engaging in meaningful relationships within the community? What practical steps can you take to get to know others better? [01:01:13]
6. Reflect on the analogy of the redwood trees. How can you be a source of support and strength for others in your church community, especially those who may be struggling? [01:08:51]
7. If you are not currently involved in a small group or community group, what is holding you back? What steps can you take this week to explore joining or starting a group? [01:11:44]
Devotional
Day 1: Commitment to Gathering
The early church in Acts 2 was characterized by their unwavering commitment to gathering together. Hebrews 10:25 emphasizes the importance of not neglecting to meet together, as some are in the habit of doing. Regular attendance at church is crucial for experiencing the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. The early church met together 100% of the time, and we should strive for the same level of commitment. Gathering together allows us to encourage one another, grow in our faith, and experience the fullness of God's presence in our lives. [49:30]
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Reflection: How can you prioritize gathering with your church community this week, even if it means adjusting your schedule or making sacrifices?
Day 2: The Importance of Community
The early church met in homes, shared meals, and supported each other. We were not created to do life alone. In community, everyone knows your name, you are cared for, and you care for others. This interconnectedness is vital for spiritual growth and support. Just like the redwood trees that support each other through intertwined roots, we need to be interconnected to weather life's storms. Being part of a community means sharing our lives, our struggles, and our victories with one another. [56:39]
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (ESV): "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!"
Reflection: Who in your life can you reach out to this week to build a deeper sense of community and support?
Day 3: Taking Risks in Faith
Going all in may require taking risks and stepping out in faith. Trust that God is at work upstream, preparing the way. Just as the speaker's family moved to Texas without knowing what lay ahead, we must trust that God is guiding us in our mission. Taking risks in faith means stepping out of our comfort zones and trusting that God will provide and lead us. It involves believing that God is at work even when we cannot see the full picture. [42:23]
Joshua 1:9 (ESV): "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel God is calling you to take a risk in faith? How can you take a step towards that this week?
Day 4: Experiencing Awe
The early church lived with a deep sense of awe because of what God was doing among them. When we fully commit to our mission and community, we too can experience this awe and wonder. Let's strive to be a church that is continually amazed by God's work. Experiencing awe comes from recognizing and celebrating the miracles and blessings that God is doing in our midst. It involves being attentive to God's presence and work in our lives and in our community. [43:52]
Psalm 65:8 (ESV): "So that those who dwell at the ends of the earth are in awe at your signs. You make the going out of the morning and the evening to shout for joy."
Reflection: Take a moment to reflect on a recent experience where you felt a sense of awe at God's work. How can you cultivate a greater awareness of God's presence in your daily life?
Day 5: Interconnected Support
Like the redwood trees that support each other through intertwined roots, we need to be interconnected to weather life's storms. In community, we share our strengths and support those who are struggling, creating a resilient and caring church family. Being interconnected means being intentional about building relationships and supporting one another through life's challenges. It involves being there for each other in times of need and celebrating together in times of joy. [01:08:51]
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV): "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing."
Reflection: Think of someone in your church community who may be going through a difficult time. How can you offer them support and encouragement this week?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Look, going all in, it might mean taking some risks. It might mean being bold in our faith. It might mean stepping out into something that God has called you to that maybe you're simply not sure about, but it's trusting that when you say all in, that God is at work upstream." [41:37] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "You can't experience the power and the presence of the Holy Spirit moving within a group of people like we get to experience week in and week out. And you know, to this day, I meet people almost weekly. They'll come to the Next Steps tent. And they'll be like, man, we haven't been to church in years. They were watching online and they became complacent, but it felt like something was missing." [54:09] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "You see, in that day when someone said the word church, they weren't talking about a building. They were talking about this Greek word, ekklesia. And then ekklesia is literally describing a purposeful gathering of people. It was a movement. And so the believers met. They all gathered together for the purpose of worshiping Jesus and moving forward this mission that God had called them to, to go and make disciples who make disciples, right, of navigating people to God." [47:26] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "You see, when you're in community, what happens is you get to know people, and they get to know you. You get to know their stories. They get to know your story. And what you realize is that maybe while you didn't come from the same place, you have similar stories that they can walk alongside of you through maybe the trouble you've gone through because they've gone through the same things." [01:04:01] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "You see, you can get lost in the gathering. But if you're in a circle, you've got community. Because community happens in circles. And you're not getting lost because you've got people that you're connected to. Which is why we have this monthly mantra that I stole from another pastor around here that I think is really good. He says, circles are better than rows. Because while the gathering is important, community is critical." [01:02:51] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "And so over the next couple of weeks, we're going to look at what happened in the early church in Acts when they went all in for God. And our hope through this series is that this would challenge us as a church, this would challenge us as a campus here in North Fort Worth to go all in as well. And so we are calling this series simply All In." [40:47] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "And I know this may be, as I'm saying this, this is making some of you uncomfortable. Like you're thinking to yourself and your attendance habits, you're thinking about those things and you're wondering like, are they tracking me? Are they making sure as I walk in? Or are they checking the cameras like every Sunday to see if I'm here? And you're thinking about like your attendance habits, and you're like, man, I'm winning the 80% when I'm here." [50:28] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "And so with these few minutes that I've got left today, I want to share with you why community is critical and why we're challenging you to go all in on community. The first thing I'll say is this. In community, everybody knows your name. Now, there's some of you, you'll remember this show because you were old enough when it came out. I was a little kid when my dad was watching it. Some of you, you have no idea. But there was this show that was called Cheers." [01:03:28] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "And you see, in community, the next thing that we see is you put down roots. When you're in community doing life with others, you put down roots. They know what's going on in your life and you know what's going on in theirs. It's like what Solomon says in Ecclesiastes 4, verse 12. He says, a person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back to back and conquer. Three are even better. For a triple braided cord is not easily broken." [01:08:07] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "And so today I want to challenge you not to be complacent, but to be courageous, to say, I'm all in. So we as a church can be more like the church that we see in Acts 2. So would you be willing to go all in for the gathering? Would you be willing to go all in? Would you be willing to go all in for the community? That's what I invite you to today. So who's in? Are you ready? Because I believe if we do this, we are going to see God move and work in our midst." [01:13:32] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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