Consumer or Communal?

Are we consumers of Christianity or committed members of Christ's community? Drawing from Acts 2:42-47, we're invited to examine the radical difference between treating church like a service that meets our preferences versus embracing the costly, communal life that characterized the early believers. The sermon identifies eight lies of consumer Christianity—from 'serve me' to 'not me'—each one revealing how we subtly center ourselves rather than Christ. The early church devoted themselves to teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer. They shared everything in common, sold possessions to meet needs, and met daily with glad and sincere hearts. This wasn't an idealized fantasy but a messy, real community of imperfect people empowered by the Holy Spirit. We're challenged to move from asking 'What can I get?' to 'How can I give?' The call isn't to add Jesus as another slice of our busy lives, but to recognize Him as the whole pie—the center from which everything else flows. This means choosing depth over preference, belonging over autonomy, and reverence over comfort. It means being willing to be inconvenienced, to sacrifice financially and relationally, and to step into evangelism even when we feel inadequate. The beautiful truth is that transformation happens not through perfect arguments but through authentic witness—inviting people into our lives and letting them see us following Jesus.