Walk Like Jesus | Week 3 | Pastor Mark Lehmann

Devotional

Day 1: Called Out of Shadows

The disciples huddled in an upper room, their locked doors no match for the risen Christ. Jesus stood among them, breathing peace into their fear. Scars on His hands proved death’s defeat. Later, 3,120 believers met daily—not in a temple, but in homes and streets. They sold possessions, broke bread, and prayed with one heart. Their unity wasn’t forced; it flowed from being called out of darkness into Christ’s light. [03:10]

Ekklesia means “called-out ones.” Jesus didn’t die for buildings or rituals. He died to gather rebels, addicts, and doubters into a new family. The early church’s power came from surrendering old identities. They weren’t spectators—they were the living proof of resurrection.

You’ve been called out too. What habits, fears, or prejudices still chain you to the shadows? Who needs to hear, “I’m glad we’re ekklesia together”?

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
(1 Peter 2:9, NIV)

Prayer: Ask Jesus to reveal one area where He’s calling you out of isolation into community.

Challenge: Text someone of a different ethnicity or background: “I’m thankful we’re ekklesia together.”

Day 2: Devoured by the Word

The 3,120 believers clung to the apostles’ teaching like starving men at a feast. They didn’t skim devotionals or debate theology—they let Scripture rewrite their lives. Peter’s sermons cut them to the heart. James’ letters became survival guides. Their Bibles weren’t apps; they were lifelines. [12:28]

God’s Word isn’t ink on paper. It’s a scalpel, a fire, a love letter. The early church thrived because they consumed Scripture daily. Anxiety shrank. Purity grew. Lies died. When you feast on truth, your cravings change.

How many minutes today will you spend scrolling versus studying? What if you opened Scripture before your phone tomorrow?

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
(2 Timothy 3:16-17, NIV)

Prayer: Confess one lie you’ve believed, then read Psalm 119:105 aloud.

Challenge: Set a 7:00 AM alarm titled “FEAST” to read Matthew 5-7 today.

Day 3: Bread and Broken Walls

Karen toured churches like museums until a grocery-store kindness led her to Cornerstone. The early church ate meals with strangers, dissolving ethnic barriers. Phoenicians broke pita with Persians. Slaves served masters wine. Their tables became altars where pride died. [05:58]

Fellowship isn’t coffee hour. It’s risking awkwardness to love like Jesus. Shared meals expose our masks. When you eat with someone different, you proclaim Christ’s cross destroyed dividing walls.

Who makes you uncomfortable? What if their story holds a key to your freedom?

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know you are my disciples.”
(John 13:34-35, NIV)

Prayer: Thank Jesus for someone who loved you when you felt unworthy.

Challenge: Invite a church member you barely know to share a meal this week.

Day 4: Prayers That Quake Prisons

Peter and John faced jail for preaching Christ. The church didn’t panic—they prayed. Walls shook. Chains snapped. Their united cry birthed boldness: “Lord, stretch Your hand!” Miracles followed not because they begged, but because they agreed. [30:16]

Prayer isn’t a wish list. It’s war. The early church didn’t pray for comfort; they demanded heaven’s invasion. When believers lock arms in prayer, demons flee and the lost awaken.

When did you last pray with someone until your knees ached? What stronghold crumbles if you ask boldly?

“After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.”
(Acts 4:31, NIV)

Prayer: Name one impossible situation, then pray Acts 4:29-30 over it aloud.

Challenge: Call a believer today and pray together for 5 minutes.

Day 5: Mites and Millionaires

Jesus watched rich men clink coins into the temple treasury. Then a widow dropped two mites—her last pennies. He called it the greatest gift. The early church took Him literally: bankers sold estates, fishermen donated boats. They trusted Jesus more than retirement funds. [33:16]

Money tests discipleship. Tithing isn’t a tax—it’s training wheels for surrender. The widow gave all because she knew the Provider. Her “mite” funded eternal dividends.

What does your bank statement say about your treasure? Would selling one luxury send someone to Bible school?

“They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”
(Mark 12:44, NIV)

Prayer: Hold your wallet and say, “Jesus, this is Yours. Show me what to give.”

Challenge: Review last month’s spending. Give 10% of one luxury purchase to missions.

Sermon Summary

We belong to an ekklesia, the called-out ones, and that identity reshapes every part of our lives. We gather expecting God to do something new each time; we do not come merely to sit but to become what God intends. The New Testament model shows that the early church devoted itself to the apostles’ teaching, to fellowship, to breaking bread, and to prayer. We commit to Scripture as the authority that forms belief and behavior, to honest relationships that demand accountability, to regular shared meals and communion that reveal heart change, and to persistent prayer that sustains intimacy with God and opens the way for signs and wonders.

Being the church changes how we handle possessions and priorities. The early believers shared everything so no one lacked, and they gave sacrificially rather than treating resources as strictly personal. True community presses us beyond convenience into mutual care, generous stewardship, and unified purpose. Together we serve with our gifts, share the gospel boldly, and take responsibility for one another’s spiritual growth. That shared commitment builds resilience against division and cultural drift and positions us to receive renewed outpourings of the Spirit.

We practice spiritual habits: daily Scripture, regular fellowship in small groups, monthly communion, disciplined prayer gatherings, and ongoing evangelism. We pursue unity of heart and mind so our witness proves credible. When we love Jesus above all and serve one another as he commanded, our common life becomes a public sign that God is real and active. If we devote ourselves to these patterns, God promises to pour out his Spirit and to multiply the work far beyond our efforts. Let us choose to be the ecclesia in every season, living differently, loving sacrificially, and advancing the kingdom together.

Key Takeaways

1. We are the called-out ones We form our identity first as those called out of darkness into light, not as regular attenders of a building. That calling demands a reorientation of loyalty, priorities, and daily choices so that Jesus governs our affections and actions. When our identity centers on being the ekklesia, we stop pursuing personal fame or comfort and begin stewarding communal mission. [03:10]
2. Devote ourselves to Scripture We commit to the apostles’ teaching as the primary formation for faith and practice, reading the Word consistently to shape our hearts. Regular engagement with Scripture guards against cultural drift, reduces anxiety, and transforms desires. This devotion produces discernment so our decisions align with God’s revealed will rather than fleeting trends. [11:43]
3. Live in sacrificial generosity We view possessions as stewardship, not ownership, and practice giving that meets real needs rather than hoarding resources for self-preservation. Sacrificial generosity reshapes trust, demonstrates God’s priority in our hearts, and opens the door for communal flourishing. When we give radically, we participate in the gospel’s power to reverse scarcity into abundance for others. [33:16]
4. Pray and proclaim together We persist in united prayer and bold proclamation, trusting God to act through our honest, collective petitions and public witness. Communal prayer aligns our fears and hopes with God’s purposes and catalyzes courage to speak Christ’s name. When we pray and proclaim as one, God often responds with signs, boldness, and conversions beyond what any of us could engineer alone. [30:16]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:46] - Encountering God’s Presence
[03:10] - Ekklesia Defined
[04:01] - Community and Accountability
[07:19] - Pentecost and Power
[11:43] - Devotion to Scripture
[13:44] - Fellowship and Small Groups
[15:15] - Lord’s Supper and Breaking Bread
[16:49] - Prayer and Spiritual Intimacy
[32:28] - Generosity and the Widow’s Example
[37:00] - Serving and Shared Purpose
[40:24] - Invitation to Be the Church

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.

Acts 4:32-35 (ESV)
Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.

Mark 12:41-44 (ESV)
And [Jesus] sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”

Observation Questions

According to Acts 2:42, what four practices did the early church devote themselves to? How does the sermon connect these practices to modern church life? [08:42]
In Mark 12:41-44, how does Jesus contrast the widow’s offering with the gifts of the wealthy? What example does the sermon give about sacrificial generosity today? [33:16]
What specific result followed the early church’s communal prayer in Acts 4:29-31? How does the sermon describe the impact of persistent, unified prayer? [30:16]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think the early believers in Acts 2:44-45 willingly shared their possessions, even though it meant personal sacrifice? How might this challenge cultural views of ownership today?
The widow in Mark 12 gave “all she had to live on” (v. 44). What does this reveal about trust in God versus self-reliance? How does this align with the sermon’s emphasis on stewardship? [33:56]
Acts 4:29-30 shows the church praying for boldness to proclaim Christ despite persecution. Why is communal prayer linked to courage in evangelism, and how might this differ from individual prayer?

Application Questions

The early church prioritized daily Scripture engagement (Acts 2:42). What is one practical step you could take this week to make Bible reading a consistent habit, even amid busyness? [12:28]
Sacrificial generosity requires viewing possessions as tools for God’s mission. What is one area (time, money, skills) where you sense God asking you to give more freely? How could this deepen your trust in Him? [19:57]
The sermon emphasizes praying with others, not just alone. Who could you invite to join you in regular prayer this month, and what specific need or bold request could you bring to God together? [16:49]
Acts 2:46-47 shows the early church eating meals together. How could you intentionally share a meal or coffee with someone in your church who has a different background or life stage than you? [15:15]
The sermon warns against treating faith as a “personal” matter. What is one way you could step out of your comfort zone this week to serve or encourage someone in your church community? [37:00]

Sermon Clips

30s

#TrustGodWithEverything

“And this is where it gets a little tough for people. You said, pastor, I love Jesus so much and I've been called out to live for him. I love being part of Cornerstone. I love worshiping. I read the word of God. I pray Lord God, but when it comes to giving of ourselves or giving of our resources, we say, but God that's mine. It always bothers me that people can be okay with trusting God with your eternal soul, but you can't trust God with what you have that he gave you.”

22s

#LeaveJudgmentAtDoor

“Last night in membership class, I said, when you come to this house, you have to leave a lot of stuff at the doors And part of this is saying, first of all, my identity is in Jesus, not in anyone else. It's in Jesus, but also I'm gonna love each other even people who don't look like me. Jesus does not have a caveat here that you love certain people who are nice to you.”

33s

#PrayForOthersBoldly

“Jesus, pastor, that's what you're supposed to do. You're supposed to hear god's voice and pray for people. So are you. I'm gonna try it one more time. Just give you one more shot at that. Okay? Seriously, those 120 turned to three thousand and one twenty turned to now billions on this planet because someone said you're important enough for me to hear god's voice to pray for you.”

28s

#LoveWithoutCompromise

“We struggle so much with our culture, don't we? Do we want to be sort of tolerant with everybody? Jesus was the most tolerant person who ever walked the planet but he didn't compromise. And so he said, well, pastor, they can have their own opinion on stuff. Well, they can have their own opinion on stuff all the way into eternity without Jesus. Or you can say as ecclesia, I owe them.”

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