Sermon 7.19.2026 Title: The Community Series: Follow Me In this message from the Follow Me series, Pastor Patrick Hardy explores the importance of Christ-centered community in the life of a disciple. Looking at Acts 2:42–47, Patrick shows how the early church devoted themselves not only to the apostles’ teaching, but also to fellowship, shared meals, prayer, generosity, and doing life together. While Sunday worship gatherings (“rows”) are essential for hearing and receiving God’s Word, discipleship was never intended to be a solitary journey. Patrick argues that “discipleship happens in circles, not just rows”—in the smaller, authentic relationships where believers encourage one another, bear one another’s burdens, practice accountability, and learn to live out biblical truth. Patrick emphasizes that Christian community is not simply about having people around us, but about belonging to a spiritual family where we can be genuinely known, loved, challenged, and encouraged. Drawing on Jesus’ own example of investing deeply in the Twelve, as well as the early church in Acts, he challenges listeners to move beyond simply attending church and become active participants in the life of the church. Connection groups and ministry teams provide opportunities to share our stories, serve together, pray for one another, and help each other follow Jesus faithfully. The message concludes with a challenge to consider, “What is your next step?”—whether that means saying yes to Jesus, joining a connection group, serving alongside others, or intentionally inviting other believers into your life. The church is not merely a place we attend; it is a family where we belong.
