Returning to the Roots of True Christianity

Devotional

Day 1: Rediscovering Foundational Truths

In a world that mirrors the decadence of past empires, there is an urgent need to return to the foundational truths of Christianity as depicted in the New Testament. The moral decline and ignorance of the true Christian message today necessitate this return. The early church, as described in the book of Acts, was a dynamic force that transformed lives and societies through the power of the gospel and the fellowship of believers. This transformation was not achieved through human effort or organization but through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. By reclaiming the original message of Christianity, the church can address the moral and spiritual challenges of our time. [01:59]

Acts 2:42-43 (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."

Reflection: In what ways can you devote yourself more fully to the foundational truths of Christianity in your daily life?

Day 2: Restoring the Church to Its Roots

True reformation is not about discarding the Bible but about restoring the church to its New Testament roots. The early church, empowered by the Holy Spirit, was a dynamic force that transformed lives and societies, not through human effort but through the power of the gospel. This reformation calls for a return to the original teachings and practices of the early church, where the gospel was the central force of transformation. By embracing the power of the Holy Spirit and the teachings of the apostles, the church can once again become a transformative force in the world. [10:44]

2 Timothy 1:13-14 (ESV): "Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you."

Reflection: What steps can you take to align your life more closely with the teachings and practices of the early church?

Day 3: The Depth of True Fellowship

Fellowship in the early church was a deep, spiritual unity among believers, characterized by a shared life, mutual support, and a commitment to the teachings of the apostles. This fellowship transcended social, national, and even familial ties, reflecting the new life in Christ. It was not a superficial social gathering but a profound expression of the love and unity that comes from being part of the body of Christ. By embracing this deep fellowship, believers can experience the transformative power of the gospel in their lives and communities. [19:08]

1 John 1:7 (ESV): "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin."

Reflection: How can you cultivate deeper, more meaningful relationships with fellow believers in your community?

Day 4: The Church as a Community of Believers

The true church is not a grand institution but a community of believers who live out their faith in genuine fellowship. This fellowship is a testament to the transformative power of the gospel and serves as a light in a dark world, showing the way to God and eternal life. By living out their faith authentically, believers can demonstrate the love and unity that comes from being part of the body of Christ. This is the essence of Christianity and the hope for the world today. [29:16]

Ephesians 4:15-16 (ESV): "Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."

Reflection: In what ways can you contribute to building a stronger, more authentic community of believers in your church?

Day 5: Shining the Light of the Gospel

The church's mission is to shine the light of the gospel, demonstrating the love and unity that comes from being part of the body of Christ. This is the essence of Christianity and the hope for the world today, calling believers to live out their faith authentically. By embracing this mission, the church can serve as a beacon of hope and transformation in a world that desperately needs it. The call is for believers to live out their faith in a way that reflects the transformative power of the gospel and points others to God and eternal life. [54:51]

Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV): "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

Reflection: How can you actively shine the light of the gospel in your daily interactions and relationships?

Sermon Summary

In the current state of the world, where moral decline and ignorance of the true Christian message prevail, it is crucial to return to the foundational truths of Christianity as depicted in the New Testament, particularly in the book of Acts. The world today mirrors the decadence of past empires, such as Rome, where pleasure and ignorance led to downfall. The modern church often presents a distorted image of Christianity, leading many to reject it without understanding its true essence. This misunderstanding is not new; history shows that nations like Russia and France turned away from what they perceived as Christianity, which was, in fact, a travesty of the true faith.

The call is not for a new message but for a return to the original teachings and practices of the early church. True reformation is not about discarding the Bible but about restoring the church to its New Testament roots. The early church, empowered by the Holy Spirit, was a dynamic force that transformed lives and societies. This transformation was not through human effort or organization but through the power of the gospel and the fellowship of believers.

Fellowship, as practiced by the early church, was not a superficial social gathering but a deep, spiritual unity among believers. It was characterized by a shared life, mutual support, and a commitment to the teachings of the apostles. This fellowship was a reflection of the new life believers had in Christ, a life that transcended social, national, and even familial ties. It was a community where believers were willing to sacrifice for one another, demonstrating the love and unity that comes from being part of the body of Christ.

The true church is not a grand institution but a community of believers who live out their faith in genuine fellowship. This fellowship is a testament to the transformative power of the gospel and serves as a light in a dark world. The church's mission is to shine this light, showing the world the way to God and eternal life. This is the essence of Christianity and the hope for the world today.

Key Takeaways

1. The current moral decline and ignorance of the true Christian message necessitate a return to the foundational truths of Christianity as depicted in the New Testament. The world today mirrors the decadence of past empires, and the church must reclaim its original message to address this. [01:59]
2. True reformation is not about discarding the Bible but about restoring the church to its New Testament roots. The early church, empowered by the Holy Spirit, was a dynamic force that transformed lives and societies, not through human effort but through the power of the gospel. [10:44]
3. Fellowship in the early church was a deep, spiritual unity among believers, characterized by a shared life, mutual support, and a commitment to the teachings of the apostles. This fellowship transcended social, national, and even familial ties, reflecting the new life in Christ. [19:08]
4. The true church is not a grand institution but a community of believers who live out their faith in genuine fellowship. This fellowship is a testament to the transformative power of the gospel and serves as a light in a dark world, showing the way to God and eternal life. [29:16]
5. The church's mission is to shine the light of the gospel, demonstrating the love and unity that comes from being part of the body of Christ. This is the essence of Christianity and the hope for the world today, calling believers to live out their faith authentically. [54:51]
** [54:51]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:10] - Introduction to Acts Chapter 2
[00:41] - The Urgency of the Gospel
[01:59] - Moral Decline and Historical Parallels
[03:32] - Misunderstanding Christianity
[05:19] - Historical Reactions to False Christianity
[07:21] - The Need for True Reformation
[09:10] - Returning to the New Testament
[11:02] - The Power of the Early Church
[14:20] - The Transformative Gospel
[16:29] - The True Meaning of Fellowship
[19:08] - Misconceptions About Fellowship
[22:48] - Institutionalism vs. True Christianity
[29:16] - The Church Through History
[32:29] - The Test of Fellowship
[54:51] - The Church's Mission and Light

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Acts 2:41-47
- 1 John 3:14
- 2 Corinthians 6:14-16

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Observation Questions:

What were the key characteristics of the early church as described in Acts 2:41-47? How did these characteristics reflect their commitment to the apostles' teachings and fellowship? [15:07]
According to the sermon, what were some historical examples of nations turning away from a distorted version of Christianity? How did this misunderstanding impact their societies? [06:10]
How does the sermon describe the difference between true fellowship and superficial social gatherings? What examples were given to illustrate this difference? [19:08]
What does the sermon suggest is the primary mission of the church in today's world? How is this mission connected to the concept of fellowship? [54:51]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does the description of fellowship in Acts 2:42-47 challenge modern perceptions of church community? What might this imply about the nature of true Christian fellowship? [16:29]
The sermon mentions that true reformation involves returning to the New Testament roots. How does this idea contrast with the notion of creating a "new message" for the modern world? [10:44]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that the church can serve as a light in a dark world? How does this align with the teachings found in 2 Corinthians 6:14-16? [54:51]
How does the sermon use historical examples to illustrate the consequences of misunderstanding Christianity? What lessons can be drawn from these examples for today's church? [06:10]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on your current understanding of fellowship. How does it compare to the deep, spiritual unity described in the sermon? What steps can you take to foster genuine fellowship in your church community? [19:08]
The sermon emphasizes the importance of returning to the foundational truths of Christianity. How can you personally engage with the New Testament teachings to deepen your faith? [10:44]
Consider the ways in which your church community serves as a light in the world. What specific actions can you take to contribute to this mission and demonstrate the love and unity of Christ? [54:51]
The sermon highlights the transformative power of the gospel. Can you identify a recent experience where you witnessed or experienced this transformation? How can you share this with others? [14:52]
Reflect on the historical examples of nations turning away from a distorted version of Christianity. How can you ensure that your understanding and practice of faith remain true to the essence of the gospel? [06:10]
The sermon challenges the notion of Christianity as a mere institution. How can you actively participate in creating a church community that reflects the dynamic and transformative nature of the early church? [29:16]
How can you personally demonstrate the love and unity that comes from being part of the body of Christ in your daily interactions with others? What specific actions can you take this week to live out this calling? [54:51]

Sermon Clips

The world today is exactly what it was in the first century in the days when our Lord came into it and when the Apostle Paul and these other apostles were here. It's exactly the same, same decadence, same immorality, same vice, same hopelessness, same fear, everything the same. [00:12:32]

The only Power that has ever dealt with the condition of the problem of men in sin has been this gospel. I was trying to tell you last Sunday night how as The Apostle puts it in his first epistle to the Corinthians in chapter 6 this is the only message that can come to men who are adulterers, effeminate abusers of themselves with mankind and thieves and murderers. [00:14:11]

What we need is a Reformation which is in line with all previous reformations. What we need is a restitution, a restoration of the original and of the Primitive pattern and that of course is a learn to be found in the pages of the New Testament and in particular here in this book of The Acts of the Apostles. [00:10:40]

The true picture of the Church, the true picture of the Christian message now there is no doubt at all it seems to me that the great stumbling block that stands between men and women and listening to the Christian church and her messages these false ideas. [00:04:17]

The church because men and women forget the Primitive pattern becomes a mere institution and she becomes dead. She may become very wealthy, she may become very powerful politically, the popes were tremendously powerful in the Middle Ages but you know that's got nothing to do with the church. [00:27:36]

The church's mission is to shine the light of the gospel, demonstrating the love and unity that comes from being part of the body of Christ. This is the essence of Christianity and the hope for the world today, calling believers to live out their faith authentically. [00:54:51]

Fellowship means as I'm going to show you a very deep unity and there is all the difference in the world between true unity and a coalition. That's one of the greatest fallacies of all that when you get a coalition you've got Unity you haven't. [00:19:46]

The early church, empowered by the Holy Spirit, was a dynamic force that transformed lives and societies, not through human effort but through the power of the gospel. [00:10:44]

The true church is not a grand institution but a community of believers who live out their faith in genuine fellowship. This fellowship is a testament to the transformative power of the gospel and serves as a light in a dark world, showing the way to God and eternal life. [00:29:16]

The reason I say for doing this is because of the whole state of this country and the whole state for that matter of the entire world. I needn't weary with reciting to you the sorry facts again but surely anybody who's got eyes to see must be aware of what is happening round and about us. [00:01:59]

The church's mission is to shine the light of the gospel, demonstrating the love and unity that comes from being part of the body of Christ. This is the essence of Christianity and the hope for the world today, calling believers to live out their faith authentically. [00:54:51]

The only thing that has ever done any good in this world has been this message you see we read in this book of The Acts of the Apostles that the members of the early church and the preachers particularly were referred to as these men who were turning the world upside down. [00:13:01]

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