June 1st, 2026
There's something extraordinary happening when a church community experiences genuine awe. Not the kind of "awful" that makes us cringe, but the kind of "awe-filled" that leaves us breathless, wondering at the majesty of what God is doing in our midst.
When we turn to Acts chapter 2, we encounter a picture of the early church that challenges everything we might have come to expect from modern religious gatherings. This wasn't a community going through the motions, checking boxes, or simply maintaining traditions. This was a movement alive with the power of the Holy Spirit, and the text tells us something remarkable: "Everyone was filled with awe."
When we turn to Acts chapter 2, we encounter a picture of the early church that challenges everything we might have come to expect from modern religious gatherings. This wasn't a community going through the motions, checking boxes, or simply maintaining traditions. This was a movement alive with the power of the Holy Spirit, and the text tells us something remarkable: "Everyone was filled with awe."
What Is Awe, Really?
Awe is a complex emotion—a beautiful mixture of wonder, reverence, and sometimes even a healthy fear. Think about standing at the rim of the Grand Canyon, watching the finale of an incredible fireworks display, or standing at the edge of the ocean. In those moments, we feel simultaneously very small and yet deeply connected to something far larger than ourselves.
This is the experience the early church had with God. They weren't bored. They weren't going through religious routines. They weren't fulfilling obligations. They were encountering the living God in ways that left them breathless.
The question we must ask ourselves is this: When was the last time our church experience left us in awe?
This is the experience the early church had with God. They weren't bored. They weren't going through religious routines. They weren't fulfilling obligations. They were encountering the living God in ways that left them breathless.
The question we must ask ourselves is this: When was the last time our church experience left us in awe?
Five Marks of an Awe-Filled Church
1. An Awe-Filled Atmosphere Through Devotion
The Acts 2 church created an atmosphere of awe not through impressive buildings, lighting, or programs, but through radical devotion. The scripture tells us they devoted themselves to four essential practices:
The apostles' teaching (the Word of God)
Fellowship (authentic community)
Breaking of bread (sharing life together)
Prayer (communion with God)
Notice the word "devoted." Nothing of great consequence happens or lasts without devotion. These early believers weren't casually interested in Jesus—they were all in. They surrendered themselves completely to what God was doing.
This wasn't just personal devotion; it was corporate devotion. They devoted themselves together. When a community collectively surrenders to God's purposes, when people say "whatever You want, Lord"—and actually mean it—the atmosphere changes. The Spirit moves. Miracles happen.
2. Acceptance of All People
"All the believers were together and had everything in common." This simple statement reveals something profound: the early church was forming a new family, and everyone was welcome.
The miracle of the early church wasn't uniformity—everyone looking, thinking, and voting the same. The miracle was unity—people from vastly different backgrounds coming together around Jesus. They didn't have it all figured out. They were still learning. But they knew that grace was available to all, and all were welcome at the table.
Open hearts, open minds, open doors. This isn't just a slogan; it's a reflection of the heart of God who invites everyone to come and experience His love.
3. A Bias for Action
The early church didn't just talk about faith—they lived it. "Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone who had need." They had watched Jesus teach about the kingdom and then demonstrate it through miraculous works. They followed His example.
Jesus said, "The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve." The church looks most like Jesus when it is serving. God so loved the world that He gave—and we are called to love and give in the same pattern.
A church filled with awe doesn't just hold meetings and discuss theology. It walks the walk. It serves. It gives. It meets needs. It does the actual work of the kingdom.
4. An Attitude of Blessing
"Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts."
Two words stand out: glad and sincere.
The early church was marked by joy and authenticity. There was laughter. There was genuine love. There was happiness. And it wasn't fake—it was sincere, meaning "without wax," authentic through and through.
People aren't drawn to churches characterized by tension, complaining, and agenda-pushing. They're drawn to communities where there's genuine joy, where people are real, where you can be the same person on Sunday as you are on Wednesday and Friday.
When this kind of attitude exists, something beautiful happens: "praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people." Even those outside the movement blessed them because God's favor was evident.
5. God Adds to Her Number
Here's the most important truth: "And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."
We can strategize, plan, and implement initiatives, but only God grows the church. We may plant, we may water, we may nurture, but God alone brings the increase. All growth happens for His glory, not ours.
The Acts 2 church created an atmosphere of awe not through impressive buildings, lighting, or programs, but through radical devotion. The scripture tells us they devoted themselves to four essential practices:
The apostles' teaching (the Word of God)
Fellowship (authentic community)
Breaking of bread (sharing life together)
Prayer (communion with God)
Notice the word "devoted." Nothing of great consequence happens or lasts without devotion. These early believers weren't casually interested in Jesus—they were all in. They surrendered themselves completely to what God was doing.
This wasn't just personal devotion; it was corporate devotion. They devoted themselves together. When a community collectively surrenders to God's purposes, when people say "whatever You want, Lord"—and actually mean it—the atmosphere changes. The Spirit moves. Miracles happen.
2. Acceptance of All People
"All the believers were together and had everything in common." This simple statement reveals something profound: the early church was forming a new family, and everyone was welcome.
The miracle of the early church wasn't uniformity—everyone looking, thinking, and voting the same. The miracle was unity—people from vastly different backgrounds coming together around Jesus. They didn't have it all figured out. They were still learning. But they knew that grace was available to all, and all were welcome at the table.
Open hearts, open minds, open doors. This isn't just a slogan; it's a reflection of the heart of God who invites everyone to come and experience His love.
3. A Bias for Action
The early church didn't just talk about faith—they lived it. "Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone who had need." They had watched Jesus teach about the kingdom and then demonstrate it through miraculous works. They followed His example.
Jesus said, "The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve." The church looks most like Jesus when it is serving. God so loved the world that He gave—and we are called to love and give in the same pattern.
A church filled with awe doesn't just hold meetings and discuss theology. It walks the walk. It serves. It gives. It meets needs. It does the actual work of the kingdom.
4. An Attitude of Blessing
"Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts."
Two words stand out: glad and sincere.
The early church was marked by joy and authenticity. There was laughter. There was genuine love. There was happiness. And it wasn't fake—it was sincere, meaning "without wax," authentic through and through.
People aren't drawn to churches characterized by tension, complaining, and agenda-pushing. They're drawn to communities where there's genuine joy, where people are real, where you can be the same person on Sunday as you are on Wednesday and Friday.
When this kind of attitude exists, something beautiful happens: "praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people." Even those outside the movement blessed them because God's favor was evident.
5. God Adds to Her Number
Here's the most important truth: "And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."
We can strategize, plan, and implement initiatives, but only God grows the church. We may plant, we may water, we may nurture, but God alone brings the increase. All growth happens for His glory, not ours.
The Same Spirit, The Same Power
Here's the breathtaking reality: the same Holy Spirit who was present in first-century Jerusalem, doing incredible works in and through that early church, is the same Spirit at work today. The Spirit hasn't retired. God hasn't changed His methods. He's still looking for communities who will surrender, who will say yes, who will create space for Him to move.
Choosing Awe Over Awful
So how do we become—or remain—an awe-filled church rather than just an awful one?
Keep your eyes on Jesus. He is the author and perfecter of our faith, the true pastor of the church.
Welcome everybody. Create a space where people can belong even before they fully believe.
Choose joy. Again and again, choose love and laughter, hope and anticipation over cynicism and complaint.
Have a bias for action. Love well. Give well. Serve well.
Surrender devotedly. Both personally and corporately, say yes to whatever God wants to do.
When these elements are present, when a community of believers surrenders to the Holy Spirit's work, something remarkable happens. People experience wonder. They encounter reverence. They feel connected to something eternal and infinitely larger than themselves.
They experience awe.
And in a world that's often awful in all the wrong ways, an awe-filled church becomes a beacon of hope, a taste of heaven, a demonstration of the kingdom of God breaking into the present reality.
The early church turned the world upside down not through political power or impressive buildings, but through the simple, radical devotion of ordinary people filled with an extraordinary Spirit.
That same opportunity stands before us today.
Keep your eyes on Jesus. He is the author and perfecter of our faith, the true pastor of the church.
Welcome everybody. Create a space where people can belong even before they fully believe.
Choose joy. Again and again, choose love and laughter, hope and anticipation over cynicism and complaint.
Have a bias for action. Love well. Give well. Serve well.
Surrender devotedly. Both personally and corporately, say yes to whatever God wants to do.
When these elements are present, when a community of believers surrenders to the Holy Spirit's work, something remarkable happens. People experience wonder. They encounter reverence. They feel connected to something eternal and infinitely larger than themselves.
They experience awe.
And in a world that's often awful in all the wrong ways, an awe-filled church becomes a beacon of hope, a taste of heaven, a demonstration of the kingdom of God breaking into the present reality.
The early church turned the world upside down not through political power or impressive buildings, but through the simple, radical devotion of ordinary people filled with an extraordinary Spirit.
That same opportunity stands before us today.
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