Responding to Jesus: Living Out Acts 2 Today

Today is all about responding to the invitation Jesus has already given us. God came to us first—our relationship with Him is not something we initiated, but something He graciously offered. Everything we do as followers of Jesus—reading the Word, fellowshipping with others, worshiping, praying, and living on mission—is a response to what He has already done for us through Christ. The early church in Acts 2 didn’t act out of obligation or to earn God’s love; they were changed by Jesus, and their lives overflowed with devotion, generosity, and unity because of that transformation.

The call is to evaluate our own lives, not as a checklist to earn God’s favor, but as a reflection of whether we’ve truly been changed by Him. Do we love God’s Word, not just read it out of duty? Are we connected in real fellowship, not just attending but sharing life and accountability? Is our worship a lifestyle, not just a Sunday event? Are we people of prayer, seeking God in all things, not just in crisis? And are we living on mission, helping others follow Jesus as we have been called to do?

None of these are about religious performance. They are about living in response to the love and grace we’ve already received. If we find ourselves lacking in any area, it’s not a call to try harder, but to return to Jesus, repent, and let the Holy Spirit renew our hearts. The invitation is open: to be discipled, to disciple others, to step into deeper fellowship, and to let God’s Word and Spirit shape every part of our lives. Let’s not leave today without responding to what God is stirring in us—whether that’s repentance, a step toward community, or a renewed commitment to the mission Jesus has given us.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Our Relationship with God Begins with His Invitation, Not Our Initiative We often think we’ve done something special by inviting Jesus into our lives, but the truth is, God came to us first. Salvation is rooted in Christ’s invitation and our humble surrender, not our own efforts or religious routines. This perspective shifts our motivation from earning God’s love to responding to it with gratitude and obedience. [30:46]
• 2. Transformation by Jesus Produces a New Love for God’s Word When the Holy Spirit enters our lives, He gives us a genuine love for Scripture—not as a duty, but as a delight. Hiding God’s Word in our hearts equips us to resist sin and know God more deeply. If we lack this love, it’s a sign to seek a deeper encounter with Jesus, not just to try harder at Bible reading. [47:40]
• 3. Fellowship Is Essential, Not Optional, for Spiritual Growth Christianity is not meant to be lived in isolation. Real fellowship means having people who know us, pray for us, and hold us accountable. If we’re not connected to others in meaningful ways, we’re missing a critical part of following Jesus and robbing ourselves of the encouragement and growth God intends. [56:20]
• 4. Worship and Prayer Are Lifestyles, Not Just Church Activities True worship is a daily response to what Jesus has done, not just singing songs on Sunday. Likewise, prayer is meant to be a constant, living relationship with God, not a one-minute ritual. The depth of our private worship and prayer shapes the power and authenticity of our corporate gatherings. [59:26]
• 5. Discipleship and Mission Flow from What Jesus Has Already Done We are called to help others follow Jesus, not to earn God’s approval, but because we have already received His love and grace. Discipleship is both being shaped by others and stepping up to invest in others. The mission is clear: as we follow Jesus, we invite others to do the same, multiplying the life and love of Christ in our world. [67:36]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [07:40] - Helping People Follow Jesus
• [08:22] - Worship, Giving, and Connection
• [09:05] - Prayer and God’s Initiative
• [30:46] - Salvation: Christ’s Invitation
• [31:47] - Acts 2: The Early Church
• [36:07] - Personal Application of Acts 2
• [38:06] - Five Marks of a Changed Life
• [41:10] - Loving God’s Word
• [55:17] - The Necessity of Fellowship
• [58:06] - Living a Lifestyle of Worship
• [61:20] - The Call to Prayer
• [66:29] - Living on Mission
• [69:02] - Responding to God’s Call
• [73:24] - Repentance and Invitation to Respond

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.

Observation Questions

1. According to Acts 2:42-47, what were the main things the early church devoted themselves to?
2. What specific actions did the believers take to care for each other’s needs?
3. In the sermon, what is said to be the reason the early church lived with such devotion, generosity, and unity? [[39:29]]
4. What does the pastor say is the difference between doing things for God out of obligation versus doing them as a response to what Jesus has already done? [[38:25]]

Interpretation Questions

1. The early church’s devotion to teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer was not a checklist to earn God’s love. What does this reveal about the motivation behind their actions? [[39:29]]
2. The sermon says that if we lack love for God’s Word, fellowship, worship, prayer, or mission, it’s not a call to try harder but to return to Jesus and let the Holy Spirit renew us. Why is this distinction important for spiritual growth? [[38:25]]
3. How does understanding that our relationship with God begins with His invitation (not our initiative) change the way we approach spiritual disciplines like Bible reading and prayer? [[42:22]]
4. The pastor mentions that real fellowship means having people who know us, pray for us, and hold us accountable. Why is this kind of connection essential for spiritual growth? [[56:20]]

Application Questions

1. The sermon challenges us to evaluate if we love God’s Word, not just read it out of duty. What is your current attitude toward reading the Bible? Is it more of a delight or a duty? What is one step you could take this week to grow in genuine love for God’s Word? [[47:40]]
2. Are you connected in real fellowship, or do you tend to just attend church without sharing life and accountability with others? What is one practical way you could step into deeper fellowship this month? [[56:20]]
3. The pastor says worship and prayer are meant to be lifestyles, not just Sunday activities. What would it look like for you to make worship and prayer a regular part of your daily routine? Is there a specific time or place you could set aside for this? [[59:26]]
4. When you notice you’re lacking in devotion, generosity, or unity, do you tend to try harder or do you return to Jesus and ask the Holy Spirit to renew your heart? Share a recent example and how you responded. [[38:25]]
5. The sermon says that discipleship and mission flow from what Jesus has already done for us. Who is one person in your life you could help follow Jesus, or who could help you grow as a disciple? What is a first step you could take to connect with them this week? [[01:07:36]]
6. The early church was marked by generosity—selling possessions to meet needs. Is there a need in your church or community you feel prompted to meet? What would it look like to respond in generosity this week? [[32:44]]
7. The invitation is open to repentance, deeper community, and renewed commitment. Is there an area where you sense God is stirring you to respond today? What is one action you can take before the week is over? [[01:09:02]]