In Acts 2:42-47 we are told of the lifestyle of the early Church. These people were radical, devoted, and sold out for the Gospel of Jesus. The truth of Peter's sermon earlier in chapter 2 had sunk in and changed thousands of lives. Thousands of people became so convicted and passionate about Christ that they literally sold everything they owned and gave to every one who had need. We are told that they devoted themselves daily to the apostles' teaching and worship. This wasn't just a new hobby or interest. Jesus hadn't just changed their morality, beliefs, or behavior. He had changed their reality.
What I find interesting is that these men and women of the early Church were not interested in being relevant. Their message certainly transcended cultures and language barriers. They met people where they were just as their Lord had done during his time here. But what brought the Church both the favor of God and men was not how fancy their show was. It was not how "modern and relevant" their worship was. Instead, what caught the attention of the people was how real the Holy Spirit was in their lives. This reality was what the people needed. This concept remains the same today.
Beyond our fancy worship, our big lights, and our "relevancy", people ultimately want reality. If they wanted a great concert, they'd go see Lady Gaga. If they wanted comfort, they'd go to Starbucks. The world needs Christ, and him alone. How we share Him to the world will change from culture to culture, but Jesus doesn't need our relevancy to change the world. He needs our obedience and our adoration, constantly. Are we daily taking up our crosses to follow him? Are our lives daily marked by the fruit of the Spirit? The Savior of the universe does not just want to be something to busy our lives. He wants to consume our lives. He wants to transform us into his likeness. It isn't about how good the show or the technology is. The world has enough of that. Instead, the world needs to see the power in a Holy Spirit-transformed reality. Let us live that reality to the fullest to the glory of God.
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