The Church Is Like a Good Gumbo
Sermon Notes
In Acts 2:42–47, the early church gives us a powerful picture of what it means to be a healthy, Spirit-filled community. With thousands of new believers, God didn’t just create a crowd—He formed a family. Brad Kirby walks us through five key ingredients every church should have today: devotion to the Word, to worship, to prayer, to one another, and to the mission.
These weren’t just early church strategies—they’re essential for any gospel-centered community.
Key Points
The Early Church Was Marked By:
Devotion to the Word of God (v. 42)
Devotion to Worship and Prayer (vv. 42–43)
Devotion to One Another (vv. 44–46)
Devotion to Making Disciples (v. 47)
Discussion Questions
How would you describe your own devotion to God’s Word and presence?
What rhythms of worship and prayer do you practice regularly?
Are you living in an intentional gospel community, or simply attending services?
Who’s someone far from God that you’re praying for or sharing with?
Transcript
The Birth of a Movement
Pentecost wasn’t just a powerful moment—it was the launch of something new. From 120 in an upper room to thousands now following Jesus, the question quickly became: what do we do with all these new believers? The answer? The Church.
This wasn’t mankind’s idea—it was Jesus’ plan. And Acts 2:42–47 gives us a beautiful snapshot of the earliest days of the church—a community marked by deep devotion and powerful unity.
A Devotion to the Word
The first mark of this new community? Devotion to the apostles’ teaching. This wasn’t casual or occasional—it was continual. These early believers were hungry for God’s word.
They didn’t have the epistles or the Gospels in print yet. What they had were the words of Jesus, the stories of the Old Testament, and the Spirit of God breathing fresh life into their understanding. And they couldn’t get enough.
Where the Spirit reigns, a hunger for the word of God grows. This is still true today. A Spirit-filled church is a Scripture-saturated church.
Worship That Overflows
They weren’t just devoted to doctrine—they were full of awe. Their worship wasn’t confined to a Sunday service. It overflowed into daily life.
They broke bread. They prayed. They praised God together. Their gatherings weren’t a performance but a participation in the presence of God.
Where the Spirit reigns, hearts rise in worship. Not just on Sundays—but in kitchens, at dinner tables, and every place God’s people gather.
Prayer-Fueled Power
The early church didn’t treat prayer as an add-on—it was foundational. Prayer birthed awe. Awe opened space for miracles.
They prayed in the temple. In homes. While walking. Before meals. Before sermons. During suffering. A Spirit-filled church is a praying church because prayer is how we stay close to the power source.
Could it be that we miss miracles because we’ve stopped praying with expectation?
A Family, Not a Crowd
They weren’t just believers—they were brothers and sisters. They shared meals, homes, possessions, and lives. They met in big groups at the temple and in small gatherings in homes.
The New Testament is filled with “one another” commands—because the Christian life isn’t meant to be lived alone. Fellowship isn’t optional—it’s essential.
A healthy church doesn’t just gather, it connects. And the early church did this day by day.
A Gospel on the Move
Their devotion wasn’t just inward, it was outward. Acts 2 ends with this line: “And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”
They weren’t just a holy huddle. They were a gospel movement. Their love, joy, and generosity drew people in. The church was attractive, not because of marketing, but because of love.
This is the kind of church God blesses. A church that worships deeply, connects authentically, prays expectantly, and shares boldly.
What Kind of Church Are We Becoming?
Brad Kirby reminds us: the church is like gumbo—it’s got layers, ingredients, richness. And the question isn’t just “What was the early church like?” It’s “What kind of gumbo are we cooking now?”
Let’s be a people hungry for the word of God, full of worship, grounded in prayer, devoted to one another, and bold with the gospel.
Because when the Spirit reigns, this kind of church rises.
