DEVOTED
Vision Sunday
1.26.25
“The danger is not that the church becomes irrelevant to the world; it’s that the church becomes indistinguishable from the world.” – Mark Sayers, Reappearing Church
Force #1: A society that has become increasingly individualistic
• The Enlightenment (17th-18th century)
• Protestant Reformation (16th century)
• Capitalism and the Industrial Revolution
• Urbanization and Modernization
• Postmodernism and Secularization (20th century)
• Technological advancements, Human Rights movements, a culture of consumerism
Summary: All of these forces collectively shifted values from communal interdependence to personal freedoms and self-expression.
Force #2: A church shaped by a culture of consumerism
• Post-Reformation changes
• First and Second Great Awakening (18th-19th century)
• Urbanization
• The Evangelical Movement (mid 20th century)
• The Megachurch movement - celebrity culture – production-oriented churches
Summary: The evangelical church in America has prioritized attraction and accessibility, played to the consumer mindset, and embraced shallow commitment over deep spiritual formation and communal discipleship.
Acts 2:41-47
41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Jesus’ Paradigm for Discipleship:
1) INVITATION
• Come and see
2) CHALLENGE
• Take up your cross
3) TRANSFORMATION
• Abide in me
4) MULTIPLICATION
• Go and make disciples
In the early church, baptism symbolized a covenant with one another—a commitment to live in fellowship, share mutual accountability, and embody love within the Christian community.
How can we restore what has been lost and realign the church with God’s heart and vision?
1. A commitment to Christ-centered living
2. A commitment to the way of sacrifice
3. A commitment to intentional community
