Great Churches Serve With Christ’s Works & Words
Sunday, May 20, 2018
Photo by Randy Fath on Unsplash
Day 1: Read Acts 2:17-18. Notice who makes up “all people”. What do the contrasts tell you about who makes up “great churches”? Luther believed all of us in our work, our vocation, were called to glorify God and serve our neighbors. Baker, shoemaker, prince or peasant, God calls all of us to glorify God and serve others. That’s why all people are needed. As you look at your day ahead, how might God use you in your work and leisure today?
Day 2: Read Acts 2:21. Whom are you praying for that doesn’t know Jesus? Write down specific names of those you know who need to know Jesus.If you don’t have any names, pray for a specific country (in addition to America) to come to know Jesus.
Day 3: Read Acts 2:6-7. If you think this verse is a put-down comment about the disciples, it is. Their understanding of people keeps their eye on people’s background more than the power of the Holy Spirit coming down and stretching these ordinary disciples and filling them with extraordinary power. Where have you seen God stretch your capacity to see what people can do? Where do you underestimate His hand at work in someone’s life? Where might you be underestimating the super- powerful work of the Holy Spirit in your life?
Day 4: Read Acts 2:4. With the spiritual gifts the Holy Spirit gives, the power doesn’t come from you, but from the Holy Spirit within you. Have you discovered your spiritual gifts? How are you putting them to use this week?
Day 5: Read Acts 2:1. The early church accomplished great things because they did things together. That’s true for us as well. Where have you seen God work through a “team effort” to make a difference in our church? Where might God be calling you to join a team in active service inside or outside of our church?
Day 6: Read Acts 2:42. Andrew Carnegie observed: "It marks a big step in your development when you come to realize that other people can help you do a better job than you could do alone.” Together we can do great things when we work together as a team empowered by the Holy Spirit. What are some of the spiritual habits you noticed that the early church followed in this verse? How do they line up with your spiritual habits in following Jesus on your own and with others?
You can Go Deeper this week by reading the book Servolution: Starting a Church Revolution through Serving by Dino Rizzo.
Don't forget you can listen to this week's message or read the full PDF of the message & GPS.