Beyond Sunday Morning: What It Really Means to Be the Church
Prayer was essential to the early church. It was their lifeline, their communication with God, their source of renewal. Jesus gave us the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6 so we would know how to pray, what to pray, and how to edify and glorify our Father. But here’s what’s crucial to understand: the early believers didn’t just pray at church—they became the church.
At Lakeview Christian Church of Portage Lakes, we want you to grasp this life-changing truth: You are the church. Not this building. Not a structure, an address, or a place. You are the church, and you are the ones who will go out as witnesses and change the world one day at a time.
The Early Church Had No Building
The first Christians didn’t have a building to attend. There was no church address, no sanctuary, no parking lot. They met in homes, in gardens, wherever they could gather. And yet, they turned the world upside down.
Acts 2:44 tells us, “All who believed were together and had all things in common.” They didn’t merely attend church—they became the church. They lived out their faith in everyday moments, in ordinary places, with extraordinary love.
This is the model we follow at Lakeview Christian Church. Our mission is to be the change as Jesus has changed us, and we do this through “Just 3″—Study, Share, and Serve.
Study: Knowing How to Pray
When we study God’s Word, we learn to love and know God more deeply. We discover how to communicate with Him through prayer. The Lord’s Prayer isn’t just a recitation—it’s a template for relationship. It teaches us to:
- Honor God’s name
- Seek His kingdom first
- Trust Him for daily provision
- Ask for forgiveness while forgiving others
- Request protection from temptation
Prayer renews our communication with God. It’s not about perfect words or eloquent phrases. It’s about honest conversation with your Father who loves you.
Share: Being Witnesses in the World
The early church didn’t wait for people to come to them. They went out as witnesses, sharing the good news wherever they went. When we share to know and love others, we’re following their example.
You don’t need a pulpit to be a witness. You need a changed life and a willingness to share it. Your workplace is your mission field. Your neighborhood is your congregation. Your daily interactions are opportunities to demonstrate Christ’s love.
Serve: Love in Action
The early believers had all things in common because they understood that faith without works is dead. They served as love in action, meeting needs, caring for the poor, and supporting one another.
When we serve at Lakeview Christian Church, we’re not just volunteering—we’re living out our identity as the church. We’re demonstrating that Jesus changes everything about how we live, love, and give.
One Day at a Time
You won’t change the whole world overnight, but you can change your world one day at a time. One conversation. One act of kindness. One prayer. One moment of service.
The early church didn’t have programs, budgets, or strategic plans. They had the Holy Spirit, a commitment to prayer, and a willingness to be the church wherever they went. And they changed the world.
Your Calling
You are not called to attend church—you’re called to be the church. You’re called to:
- Pray without ceasing
- Love without conditions
- Serve without recognition
- Share without fear
- Live without compromise
At Lakeview Christian Church of Portage Lakes, we’re committed to equipping you to live out this calling. Through studying God’s Word together, sharing life in community, and serving our neighbors, we become the church Jesus envisioned.
The question isn’t whether you attend church. The question is: Are you being the church?
