We Carry Fire - Week 4
Week 4 Recap:
The Spirit-Filled Church
Introduction
What does it mean to truly be the church? In Acts 2, we are given a glimpse of the Spirit-filled community of believers that changed the world. This wasn’t just a group of people who gathered for meals or social events—it was a movement empowered by the Spirit of God. In this message, we are reminded that church is not a building or a location but a people called and equipped by God to live in fellowship, serve others, and reflect His glory.
The Power of the Holy Spirit
Last week, we explored how the Holy Spirit brings conviction, courage, wisdom, fruitfulness, and transformation into our lives. These gifts are not abstract concepts but the fuel for living a life that reflects Christ. When we allow the Spirit to lead, He makes us more than spectators—He turns us into His ambassadors. We are not simply people who attend church; we become the living, breathing testimony of God’s power at work in the world.
The Church Is People, Not a Place
In Acts 2:42–47, the early church gathered daily, not because of a building, but because they were a family united by faith. The Greek word for church, ekklesia, literally means “assembly” or “gathering of people,” never a structure. We must shift our mindset from viewing church as a location to seeing it as a community. This truth pushes us to move beyond merely attending Sunday services to becoming an active part of God’s mission with His people.
The Seven Marks of a Healthy Church
The early church modeled several key characteristics that every congregation should strive for:
Believers – A true church is made up of those who have surrendered their lives to Christ.
Baptized believers – Baptism is not just symbolic; it is a public declaration of our faith and a step of obedience.
Assembly – We are commanded not to neglect meeting together because we need each other for encouragement and accountability.
Worship – Our praise is not empty ritual but a joyful response to God’s grace and presence.
Teaching – God’s Word sustains us and equips us to discern truth from error.
The Lord’s Supper – A reminder of Christ’s sacrifice and our unity as His body.
Leaders – God gives churches shepherds and elders to guide, teach, and protect His people.
These elements form the foundation of a church that is not merely surviving but thriving.
From Gathering to Going
The church does not exist only for its members—it is meant to be a launching point for mission. Acts 2 shows us a people who devoted themselves to one another so that they could reach outward. Our time in fellowship and worship equips us for what happens beyond the walls of the church: serving our neighbors, sharing the gospel, and living out our faith in every interaction. When the Spirit fills us, we cannot remain passive. We are called to take action.
Living in Awe of God
The driving force behind the Acts 2 church was awe—what Scripture calls the “fear of the Lord.” This wasn’t terror but deep reverence that compelled them to live differently. When we are in awe of God’s holiness, grace, and power, we don’t merely attend church—we embody it. Awe leads to service, generosity, boldness, and the kind of love that draws people to Christ.
Closing
The church God desires is not one that only meets on Sundays. It is a Spirit-filled community of believers who live with awe, love one another deeply, and carry the hope of the gospel into the world. Acts 2 is not just a picture of what was—it’s an invitation for what can be. Let us be that church.
