With so many expectations on us, what does committing to a church realistically look like? As we study the early church, we will see God’s intention that the church is to be more than a service you casually attend.

Current Trend

• Devaluing the priority and the purpose of the church has dramatically decreased our expectations and effectiveness.
• Worldly standards have invaded our understanding of church health and spiritual growth.
• We will never experience the full-time benefits of the church with part-time commitments.

Biblical Example [Acts 2:42-47]

Acts 2:42-47

⁴² And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. ⁴³ And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. ⁴⁴ And all who believed were together and had all things in common. ⁴⁵ And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. ⁴⁶ And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, ⁴⁷ praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

• Available – Mutually beneficial relationships will never be cultivated by occasional gatherings and shallow interactions.
• Willing – Healthy church members realize that membership isn’t always about what you get but about what you give.
• Expectant – The local church provides the proper context for God to say what only He can say and to do what only He can do.

Personal Application

• To prioritize the church, each of us will have to learn how to say either yes, no, or maybe.
• Yes – Train yourself to think of the church as a people to whom you belong and not just a service which you attend.
• No – You will never experience the necessary biblical community if you prioritize an imposter church with an insufficient gospel.
• Maybe – Being the church may not require doing different things but simply doing them in different ways.

What is my next step to prioritizing the church?