The Original Recipe

We’re kicking off a brand new series called You Are the Church. We look around the world: people’s attitude towards church is growing dimmer, and participation is waning. This series will help us reframe our experience, expectation, and engagement so we look at the book of Acts. We will be challenged to not just go to church but be the church. 

If you are a Reese’s connoisseur, you know that not all Reese’s peanut butter cups are created equal. Shockingly enough, the regular ones are probably at the bottom of my list. Because with each season, Reese’s releases different shapes. I still have a few Reese’s Easter eggs left over, which are the best ones. I also like the pumpkins and footballs and a little less the Christmas trees. 

Recently, the grandson of the creator of Reese’s cups criticized the Hershey company in an open letter, complaining and accusing them of changing the original chocolate recipe. 

In response, Hershey released a statement that they would be going back to more of the original ingredients of their chocolate mixture. 

He may have heard it said before: “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” There’s something about the original recipe. 

I think if we’re honest, we’ve done this same thing with the church. The recipe has been watered down. We allowed something that should be peculiar to become common. We swapped the unbelievable and supernatural for formulas.

In Acts chapter 2, we see the culture and dynamics that were at play in the early church. This is an explosive moment of Church growth. Thousands of people are giving their lives to Jesus. Here in this passage, we are given a glimpse into what is needed to be the church. 

But I think it’s important that we ask: do we really want this? Do we want to see our city reached with the power of the gospel? Do we want to see missionaries sent out, people healed from their sickness, and people freed from demonic oppression? 

Because if we do, we need to consider what is required. What is the original recipe for being the Church? The original recipe of the church is that we would be a people who live committed to gathering, committed to each other, and committed to growing.

In Acts 2:42, we see that the church was prepared within the container of commitment.  Churches God intended it always requires us to be committed. 

I believe often the reason we don’t have an active type of church is that we’re more committed to everything other than the body of believers. 

When I say commitment, I don’t just mean attendance. Just because you show up somewhere doesn’t mean that that place has your heart. I like McDonald’s because it’s convenient and delivers what I want at a price I want. I certainly wouldn’t say that I’m committed to McDonald’s.

Something we’re beginning to see take place in Gen Z and Gen Alpha is what people are calling FOBO. This stands for fear of better options. I want to challenge us to know that there is nothing better than the church.

Here in action, too, they prioritize teaching and preaching God’s word, loving, and encouraging one another in the truth, and praying with one another. This was important to them. They valued the church.

What would change in our church communities if they were of the utmost value to us? What is the commitment we made to them was as great as any commitments in our lives.

Continuing in Acts 2, we see that they had the ingredients of unity. They were unified in their place, their mindset, and their heart. The devil wants so badly for our churches to not be unified. In a world that is so divided, the Church of Jesus Christ should be the standard of unity.

Scripture compares the church to the bride of Christ. We cannot say that we love Jesus and not love his bride. So if we are sowing division in the church, we are not people who truly love Christ. 

Last I see, the church in Acts chapter 2 was steeped in intentionality. Discipline is a fundamental part of being the church. It’s the flavor of the church.

The early church intentionally and purposely sought out Scripture, community, prayer, service to others, evangelism, and worship. They put these disciplines into practice in their lives and guarded them carefully.

Great things don’t happen on accident. We will never stumble into a move of God. If it is truly our desire to be a part of a church like this one we read about here, we have to get serious about the things of God.

I believe that as many of us were honest, the reason that we don’t experience church like it was here in Acts chapter 2 is that we actually don’t care that much. We will settle for a fun, wealthy, politically confirming, or comfortable “church”. With all access to everything we need, we can become like this. 

I don’t know about you, but I want the original recipe.