February 20, 2008

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 2:44-47

Do you want to be fully engaged and empowered to live the Christian life? More than likely, you do! Yet far too many followers of Christ in our world today are disconnected from one of the main sources of empowerment: the local church!

The reasons for this are many, but the fact is, many, many believers aren’t having the impact they could have for Christ because they’re trying to live the Christian life in isolation… cut off from a local group of other learning, growing Christians.

What about you? Are you actively involved in a church? Now, please know that I’m not simply asking whether or not you attend church. Because truly being spiritually engaged means so much more than showing up at church every Sunday morning.

It’s about whether or not you have plugged into the church of Jesus Christ in order to become a part of transforming our culture.

Just like a balled-up fist has more power than one puny finger, so too do you and I have more power as Christians when we stand in unity under the banner of Christ. A church united truly is a force to be reckoned with in our generation!

In today’s passage, we read about people who were fully engaged and committed to each other, and therefore empowered to live the Christian life. And they turned the world upside down! 

That was the church of the 1st century… and by God’s grace, let it be the church of the 21st century, too!

ARE YOU ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN A LOCAL CHURCH?