Devoted

Series Overview

City Church Tulsa

PART 1

City Church Tulsa

Talk Notes

PART 2

City Church Tulsa

Talk Notes

DEVOTED 


Devoted to the Gospel 2.2.25 


Acts 2:41-42 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 



Willie James Jennings, Commentary on Acts… The church was being carried forward by the incredible power of the Holy Spirit, but now they had to commit themselves to the daily transforming practices of the Spirit. Just like the winds of the Holy Spirit were blowing through the house at Pentecost, now the wind of the Spirit was blowing through structured and settled ways of living – the ordinary – the everyday. Between the occasional spectacular moments in the church are many ordinary days that require steadfast devotion. 



Four pillars of devotion:

1) Apostles’ Teaching (the gospel) 


2) Fellowship – Life Together 


3) Breaking of Bread 


4) Prayer 



What does it mean to be a church DEVOTED to the GOSPEL?

1. Devotion to the gospel shapes every aspect of our lives around the life, death, resurrection, and lordship of Jesus Christ. Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. What does it mean to be a church DEVOTED to the GOSPEL? 


2. Devotion to the gospel confronts and uproots the false idols and deceptive ideas that fill our lives. 


False Idols & Gospel Responses:

• Individualism – The gospel calls us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and live in humble submission to Christ and one another (Phil 2:3-4)
• Consumerism – The gospel teaches us that our lives are not our own and we are called to lay ourselves down for the sake of God’s kingdom (Gal 2:20)
• Power and control – Jesus redefines greatness, calling us to a life of servanthood, humility, and trust in Him (Phil 2:5-8)
• Relationships or family – While relationships are a gift from God, only Christ can satisfy the deepest longings of our souls and must be our first love
• Comfort and pleasure – The gospel is not about the easy life but about faithfulness and obedience, embracing a life of sacrifice
• World pursuits – Instead of chasing worldly success, we pursue holiness, knowing the fullness of life and joy are found in submitting ourselves to Christ’s lordship What does it mean to be a church DEVOTED to the GOSPEL? 



3. Devotion to the gospel transforms the way we relate to others and reshapes how we see the people around us.

PART 3

City Church Tulsa

Talk Notes

Feb. 9th, 2025 


Devoted to Prayer 



Self-reliance is often celebrated as a mark of success and maturity in our culture today 



Acts 2:42-44 The Believers Form a Community 42All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. 43A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. When we prioritize self-reliance, we miss out on the richness of what God intended and designed for us to experience. 



James 1:22 But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. 



Philippians 2:3-5 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset of Christ Jesus. 


Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another. 



Postures of prayer: I should pray I must pray 

Our Rhythms: Engage Push Exhaustion 



Jesus Rhythms: Engage Withdraw Refill 
George Muller “I saw more clearly than ever, that the first great and primary business to which I ought to attend every day was, to have my soul happy in the Lord. The first thing to be concerned about was not, how I might serve the Lord, how I might glorify the Lord... but how I might get my soul into a happy state, and how my inner man may be nourished. I saw that the most important thing I had to do was to give myself to the reading of the Word of God and to meditation of it.” 



John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. 



Isaiah 37:14 Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers and read it. Then he went up to the temple of the Lord and spread it out before the Lord. 15And Hezekiah prayed to the Lord: 



Psalm 55:22 Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you, he will never let the righteous be shaken. 



1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Matthew 26 (Garden of Gethsemane) Jesus gave God his feelings Jesus gave God his desires Jesus gave God his trust Prayer isn’t a play to be good, it’s a place to be honest 



1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 16Always be joyful. 17Never stop praying. 18Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. The Welcoming Prayer by Father Thomas Keating Welcome, welcome, welcome. I welcome everything that comes to me today because I know it's for my healing. I welcome all thoughts, feelings, emotions, persons, situations, and conditions. I let go of my desire for power and control. I let go of my desire for affection, esteem, approval and pleasure. I let go of my desire for survival and security. I let go of my desire to change any situation, condition, person or myself. I open myself to the love and presence of God and God's action within. Amen.

PART 4

City Church Tulsa

Talk Notes

DEVOTED 


Devoted to Hospitality & Generosity 2.16.25 



Acts 2:42-45 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. 



The miracle of the Spirit is seen in people breaking from the power money holds over them, forming a new kind of economy – one shaped by divine love rather than accumulation.
– Willie James Jennings 



MAIN IDEA: As we are transformed by the gospel of Jesus Christ and led by the Holy Spirit, it reshapes how we see our time, talent, and treasure, and we joyfully offer them to others for the sake of the kingdom of God. 



Acts 4:32-35 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need. 



Acts 16:14-15 One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. ‘If you consider me a believer in the Lord,’ she said, ‘come and stay at my house.’ And she persuaded us. 



The gospel of Jesus Christ reshapes the lives of God’s people, moving them from ME to WE and from individualism to true community. 



Matthew 25:31-40 31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. 34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ 



MAIN IDEA: As we are transformed by the gospel of Jesus Christ and led by the Holy Spirit, it reshapes how we see our time, talent, and treasure, and we joyfully offer them to others for the sake of the kingdom of God. 



Opportunities for Hospitality:

• Live with margin—both in time and resources—so you have something to give to those in need. 

• Host a meal and invite neighbors, coworkers, or church members into your home to build deeper connections. 

• Create a space for meaningful conversation where people with different backgrounds or perspectives can feel heard and understood. 

• Provide essential support—whether it’s a meal, children’s clothing, furniture, or other resources—to those in need (e.g., through Care Portal). 

• Go out of your way to check in on and care for an elderly neighbor or widow, offering companionship and practical help. 

• Surprise someone with unexpected generosity, expecting nothing in return and without seeking recognition. 

• Reach out intentionally—whether through a handwritten note, a phone call, a text, or simply by offering your time to truly listen. 

• Offer a safe and judgment-free space for someone who is hurting, providing comfort and support without conditions.
  

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City Church Tulsa