The Spirit-Filled Church

The Church on the Move | Acts 2:42–47

A thousand voices cry for our devotion in this life—health and fitness, professional and collegiate sports teams, relationships, family, parenting, your career or success, growing your business, building your net worth, social media impact, hobbies. All of these things ask for our devotion. But as followers of Jesus, He should have our primary devotion! 

Main Idea: The Spirit-Filled Church is characterized by devotion to Jesus.

The way of Jesus opposes what the world and our American culture encourage. When the Spirit is working in our lives, we embrace counter-cultural priorities and devote our lives to them in the name of Jesus.

Scripture Reading

“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 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 2:42–47

Reflection Questions

• Are you devoted to Jesus in your life? In how you structure your time, your priorities, your treasure, your service, your relationships?

• Are we devoted to Jesus as a church? Each of us has a role in creating the culture that is Berean. Is that a culture of devotion to Christ? Are we die-hard followers or just passive fans?

Context: Revival in Acts 2

• Pentecost (Acts 2:1–41)

• Peter’s call: “Repent and be baptized… and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (v.38).

• 3,000 souls were added that day (v.41).

Word Study: “Devoted” (proskartereō)

Used in Acts 2:42 (“devoted”) and Acts 2:46 (“attending to”).
Means:

• To be constant

• To be steadfastly attentive to

• To persevere and not faint

Marks of a Spirit-Filled Church

1. Devoted to the Truth

• “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching” (Acts 2:42).

• To be devoted to Jesus is to be devoted to His teaching—knowing and obeying.

• Opposes the Relativism in our culture. 

• Great Commission: “teach… to obey all I have commanded you.”

• Psalm 1:2–4 — delight in God’s law.

• Ephesians 4:14–15 — not tossed by every wind of doctrine, but growing up into Christ.

A Spirit-filled church is obsessed with God’s Word. The Spirit leads us into truth. The Word of God is the sword of the Spirit.

Barometer: Are we more concerned with style of worship or the substance of worship?

2. Devoted to Community

• “They devoted themselves… to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers” (Acts 2:42).

• Fellowship (koinonia) = sharing life, spiritual community.

• Regularity: “day by day” (Acts 2:46).

• Unity: “with one mind.”

• Personal hospitality: “in their homes.”

Against individualism: American culture values self-reliance and personal identity apart from community. The gospel calls us to crucify this idol.

Illustration: CrossFit’s explosive growth because of its community of support.

Prayer is also central: depending on God, praying for one another, leaders, and nations (Ephesians 6:18).

3. Devoted to Generosity and Service

• “And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions… and distributing… as any had need” (Acts 2:44–45).

• The Spirit makes us selfless. Spirit-filled churches serve one another.

• Jesus modeled this: “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve” (Mark 10:45).

• Against consumerism and materialism.

• Paul: “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).

Spiritual gifts are given for the building up of the body. Biblical community cannot be separated from sacrificial service.

4. Devoted to Worship

• “Awe came upon every soul” (Acts 2:43).

• Worship flows from reverence and joy in God.

• “Breaking bread in their homes… with glad and generous hearts, praising God” (Acts 2:46–47).

• Worship includes communion (v.42, 46), corporate gathering, and joyful praise.

True worship is God-centered, not self-centered. Against humanism. 

Psalm 16:11 — “In your presence there is fullness of joy.”
Ephesians 5:18–21 — singing, giving thanks, submitting in reverence to Christ.

Heart check: Do we love worshiping Jesus?

Conclusion

Spirit-filled churches result in multiplication:

• “And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47).

Fruit comes from faithfulness. We don’t pursue pragmatism, but obedience to God’s commands.

Main Idea Restated: The Spirit-Filled Church is characterized by devotion to Jesus.

• Devoted to the Word (truth is not relative).

• Devoted to Community (resisting individualism).

• Devoted to Service and Generosity (rejecting consumerism).

• Devoted to Worship (living for God’s glory not our own).

Final Question: Are you devoted to Jesus?