More Than A Building / The Real Church

Devotional

Day 1: Devotion to Scripture and Community

The early church was marked by a deep devotion to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, sharing meals, and prayer. This devotion was not a casual or occasional commitment, but a daily pursuit of God’s Word and authentic relationships with one another. In a world full of distractions and shifting priorities, the call remains for believers to anchor themselves in Scripture and to intentionally build community, not just on Sundays but throughout the week. When we devote ourselves to God’s Word and to each other, we become a living, growing community that reflects the heart of Christ. [07:40]

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: What is one practical way you can devote yourself more intentionally to Scripture and to building deeper relationships with others in your church community this week?

Day 2: The Real Church Is Not About Buildings or Programs

The true essence of the church is not found in its buildings, programs, or business models, but in the people who gather as the body of Christ. While physical spaces and organizational structures can serve a purpose, they are not the foundation of the church. The real church is a living community that exists wherever believers come together in Jesus’ name, whether in homes, rented spaces, or even outdoors. When the focus shifts from maintaining buildings or perfecting programs to loving Jesus and one another, the church becomes what God intended—a vibrant, Spirit-filled family. [05:34]

Matthew 18:20 (ESV)
For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.

Reflection: How might your perspective or actions change if you saw the church primarily as a community of people rather than a building or a set of programs?

Day 3: Grounded in Prayer and Worship

A real church is grounded in prayer and worship that flows from a genuine response to God’s presence and work in our lives, not from musical excellence or emotional experiences alone. True worship is not about the style of music, the skill of the musicians, or the latest trends, but about hearts united in gratitude and awe before God. Prayer is not an afterthought, but a core value that sustains and empowers the church. When believers gather to pray and worship with sincerity, God moves among them, shaping them into a people who reflect His glory. [18:10]

Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Reflection: In what ways can you make prayer and worship a more central and authentic part of your daily life and your participation in the church?

Day 4: Unity Over Division—Building Together in Christ

The real church is called to unity, setting aside differences and silos to come together as one body in Christ. While there may be varying opinions, traditions, and backgrounds, what matters most is the work of Jesus and the mission to build each other up in faith. When churches and believers choose collaboration over competition, and relationship over rivalry, they display the love and unity that Jesus prayed for. This unity is not uniformity, but a beautiful diversity joined together by the Spirit for God’s purposes. [25:54]

Ephesians 2:19-22 (ESV)
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

Reflection: Is there a division, rivalry, or silo in your life or church that you can help bridge this week in the name of Christ’s unity?

Day 5: Living Out the Mission—Being a Living Community

The mission of the church is to be a living community that actively loves, serves, and encourages one another, pushing each other to become more like Christ. This means opening our homes, sharing meals, praying together, and supporting each other in practical ways. The church is not a passive audience but an active family, where everyone has a role in building up the body and reaching out to those in need. When we live out this mission, we reflect the heart of Jesus and invite others to experience His transforming love. [28:50]

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: Who is one person in your church family you can encourage, serve, or invite into deeper community this week?

Sermon Summary

The early church, as described in Acts 2:42-47, was not about buildings, business models, or perfecting a formula for faith. Instead, it was a living, breathing community of people devoted to Jesus, to Scripture, to prayer, and to one another. The first followers of Christ didn’t have grand sanctuaries or elaborate programs; they gathered in homes, shared meals, prayed together, and supported each other through both joys and hardships. Their unity and devotion were not rooted in tradition or ritual, but in a shared hunger to know God and to live out the teachings of Jesus in real, tangible ways.

Today, it’s easy to get distracted by the trappings of church life—worship styles, buildings, budgets, and programs. But the heart of the church is not found in these things. The real church is a community that is grounded in God’s Word, committed to prayer, and marked by generosity, hospitality, and authentic relationships. It’s not about cloning perfect Christians or building impressive institutions; it’s about being a people who get some things right and some things wrong, but who are united in their pursuit of Christ and their love for one another.

True community happens when we move beyond Sunday mornings and into each other’s lives—sharing meals, praying for one another, and bearing each other’s burdens. Small groups and shared experiences deepen our sense of belonging and help us see that church is not a siloed business, but a family. When churches come together across denominational lines, as seen in the joint youth ministry, we catch a glimpse of the unity Jesus prayed for—a unity that transcends differences and focuses on building up Christ’s body.

Our foundation must always be Jesus Christ, the cornerstone, and the truth of Scripture. The building, the programs, even the style of worship—these are secondary. What matters is that we are a living community, pushing each other to be more like Christ, and responding to God’s love with lives of worship, service, and generosity. The real church is not a place; it’s a people. It’s us, joined together by the Spirit, living out the mission of Jesus in our world.

Key Takeaways

1. Devotion to Scripture and Prayer is Foundational The early church was marked by a deep devotion to the apostles’ teaching and to prayer. This wasn’t a matter of routine, but a hunger to know God and to be shaped by His Word. Our spiritual health and the vitality of our community depend on making Scripture and prayer central, not as an afterthought, but as the core of our daily lives. [07:05]
2. Authentic Community Requires Vulnerability and Participation True belonging in the church comes when we move beyond surface-level interactions and invest in each other’s lives. Sharing meals, praying together, and being present in both joys and struggles creates a living community where people are known and loved. This kind of fellowship transforms Sunday attenders into family, and it’s where spiritual growth truly happens. [12:01]
3. Faith is Rooted in Trust, Not Proof Christianity has endured not because it can be empirically proven, but because of the living testimony of changed lives and the enduring presence of Christ among His people. Faith means choosing to trust God’s goodness and sovereignty, even when we can’t see or explain everything. The evidence of God’s work is seen in the lives of believers and the resilience of the church through history. [14:35]
4. Unity in Christ Transcends Differences and Silos The real church is not defined by denominational boundaries, business models, or personal preferences. When churches and believers come together, setting aside competition and pride, we reflect the unity Jesus desires for His people. This unity is not about uniformity, but about prioritizing Christ and His mission above all else, even when we disagree on secondary matters. [23:54]
5. The Church is a People, Not a Place Buildings, programs, and traditions are tools, not the essence of the church. The true church is the community of believers, joined together by the Spirit, living out the mission of Jesus wherever they are. Our identity is not tied to a location or a structure, but to our shared life in Christ and our commitment to be His living community in the world.

** [28:02]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:37] - Reflecting on the Early Church
[02:09] - The Mission of Our Church
[04:14] - The Evolution of Our Community
[05:34] - Beyond Buildings: What Matters Most
[07:05] - Devotion to Teaching and Fellowship
[09:06] - Distractions and Spiritual Focus
[11:21] - The Power of Small Groups
[12:44] - Wrestling with Faith and Evidence
[14:35] - The Enduring Power of Christ
[16:47] - Foundations: Word, Prayer, and Worship
[19:12] - The Dangers of Siloed Church Life
[20:54] - Business Models vs. Mission
[23:54] - Unity Across Churches
[27:19] - Our True Foundation in Christ
[28:50] - Living as the Real Church
[29:37] - Prayer for a Living Community

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

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.

Ephesians 2:19-22 (ESV) — > So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

Observation Questions

According to Acts 2:42-47, what were the main things the early church devoted themselves to?
What are some specific ways the early believers shared life together, as described in Acts 2:44-47?
In Ephesians 2:19-22, what does Paul say is the foundation and cornerstone of the church?
The sermon described the early church as a “living, breathing community” that gathered in homes, shared meals, and supported each other. What are some examples from the sermon of how this looked in practice? [[02:47]]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think the early church’s devotion to the apostles’ teaching and to prayer was so important for their community life? How might this have shaped their relationships? [[07:05]]
The sermon mentioned that the real church is not about buildings or programs, but about people living out the mission of Jesus. What are some dangers of focusing too much on the “trappings” of church life? [[05:34]]
The early church was marked by generosity and sharing with those in need. What does this reveal about their understanding of community and faith? [[16:01]]
The sermon described unity across different churches and denominations as a glimpse of the unity Jesus prayed for. Why is this kind of unity so significant, and what might get in the way of it? [[23:54]]

Application Questions

The early church was devoted to Scripture and prayer, not just as a routine but out of a hunger to know God. What is one practical way you could make Scripture and prayer more central in your daily life this week? [[07:05]]
The sermon talked about moving beyond Sunday mornings and into each other’s lives—sharing meals, praying for one another, and bearing each other’s burdens. Is there someone in your church family you could invite over or reach out to this month? What’s stopping you? [[11:21]]
Authentic community requires vulnerability and participation. Are there ways you tend to hold back from being known or from knowing others in the church? What would it look like to take a small step toward deeper connection? [[12:01]]
The sermon challenged us to see the church as a people, not a place. If the building or programs disappeared tomorrow, what would remain of your experience of church? How can you invest more in relationships than in routines? [[28:02]]
Faith is rooted in trust, not proof. When have you struggled to trust God because you couldn’t see or explain everything? How did you respond, and what did you learn? [[14:35]]
The sermon described churches coming together across denominational lines for youth ministry. Is there a way you could help build unity with other believers or churches in your area? What might that look like? [[23:54]]
The early church was marked by generosity and hospitality. Is there a need in your church or community that you could help meet this week, even in a small way? [[16:01]]

Sermon Clips

Faith is believing in something that you can't, you can't see. Really, truly, you can't prove. You can't prove to any one of you that God is real. You can't prove with a repeated experiment that Jesus walked the earth and he died and he rose again. We have several accounts of his life. We have several accounts that he is really who he said he is. And I've said before, and I'll say it again, this thing called, Christianity, if it's not true, would have been dead a long, long time ago. [00:13:22] (48 seconds) #FoundationInScripture

But the power of who Jesus is and him living in, us as followers of Christ, is way more powerful than anything that the world could do to stop it. We have people that have seen miraculous things happen. We have people that have been healed from sicknesses that the medical profession say, I don't know. The human body is definitely an intricate, perplexing organism. And God has control over all of it. I can't prove it. But by the life that I have lived and over and over and over, seeing the goodness of God come up in my life, seeing the work of Jesus, the care for others, and that's not everywhere. We know that. But the evidence is there. And I have to choose, where do I place my faith? [00:14:35] (69 seconds) #WorshipFromTheHeart

The real church is founded in God's word. The truth comes from these pages. I remember saying this a couple while ago and I had my phone. I actually have a real Bible this time. The real Bible, this is the word of God. Our truth and our foundation comes from the word of God. [00:16:56] (21 seconds) #ChurchBeyondBusiness

The real church is grounded. In prayer and worship. Keith actually unknowingly sent me a video this week about looking at the modern day worship. Are we responding because we play the keys so really well? Because our vocals were on point this morning? Are we responding because the drums hit the right spot at the right time and they stopped at the right time and the music was so powerful because it was that good? Is that what we're responding to? because some guy wrote some really great lyrics? Are we responding because Brandon Lake is killing it in the Christian music world right now? Are we responding because of things of this world or are we responding because we've come together as a body of Christ to worship? Are we responding to what we are seeing Jesus do in our life and our worship is a response to him? [00:17:17] (70 seconds) #ChasingJesusNotNumbers

The real church is grounded in prayer, to pray over our church, to pray over these seats that they're filled with people who need to hear who Jesus is. The church today that I've seen sometimes can miss this mark, sometimes can miss what it truly means to be grounded in scripture, to be grounded in prayer, to have those as our core, core values. It's not, I'll get to that when I get to it. It is a part of who we are. [00:18:29] (48 seconds) #BuildingHimNotMe

All too often, I kind of have to remind myself at the basis of who I am, do I love the church, model in which we have to support and drive and build, is that what I love, or do I love Jesus? There are two very different things to drive at. Do I want to see the higher numbers? Do I want to see the better building? Do I want to see, do I want, or do I want people to see Jesus? It's the things that I have to work through in my own life. Who am I chasing after? [00:21:15] (46 seconds) #MissionOfLivingCommunity

The students poured their time and their efforts into creating a service that we could all come together in unity. That is the real church. The ability for us to come together, to mix all of our grains together. Do we have differences of opinions? For sure. We have differences of opinions. We have differences of opinions. differences. We have scriptural thoughts of what it means in different ways throughout the Bible. And I'm not saying that those things are unimportant. What I am saying is Christ is more important. The work that he did on the cross for us to come through and to silo out, to separate off, we're doing a disservice to what he did. [00:25:33] (60 seconds) #PassionForChrist

The real church is forward mission. Are we being a living community? Are we getting into each other's homes? Are we praying with each other, making meals for each other, reading and discussing scripture together so that each of us can gain a better and deeper understanding of who it means to follow, how it means to follow Jesus Christ? [00:26:44] (28 seconds)

``Our church is not 39 Hovey Street. That's where the church comes to. And the church comes from three miles away and 5,000 whatever, whatever miles away. The church is us. This building could burn down or flood or plumbing could stop. That doesn't matter. It is the church that comes together. It is the community. Why we push so hard on this living community, of Jesus Christ. As nice as I want to make this building, it doesn't matter. What does matter is that together our foundation is scriptural. That we are in prayer together. That we're in community together. That we are pushing each other to be different and better and more like Christ on a weekly basis. The real church is you. [00:28:08] (65 seconds)

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