WELCOME
Good morning First Baptist. We welcome you to worship this morning. Be sure to remember your brothers and sisters in Christ throughout the week as you pray for them, and as the Holy Spirit brings their faces to your mind. Be sure to also connect with them in the ways that are possible. And if you have any questions or would like to talk to someone, please don’t hesitate to contact the church through the church telephone and leave a message. (519-733-4144)
Songs
Call to Worship
Welcome! Today we gather like the early church, devoted to teaching, sharing, praying, and praising together. God has brought us here to be a family of faith, a place where burdens are carried, joys are shared, and lives are changed. No one follows Jesus alone, so let’s lift our voices and worship Him side by side, as one body in Christ!
Songs
Prayer
CONFESSION:
Gracious God,
You created us for fellowship with You and with one another, yet we confess that we often try to walk the journey of faith alone. We have chosen comfort over connection, and self-reliance over mutual encouragement. We have neglected the gifts of community, listening, serving, praying, and rejoicing together.Forgive us, Lord. Draw us back into Your family and teach us to love one another as You have loved us. Now, in the quiet of this moment, we bring to You the sins we confess only to You.
Lord, we bring our hearts honestly before You, trusting that You hear even the thoughts we do not speak aloud. Remind us of Your mercy and faithfulness, and prepare our hearts to receive the forgiveness You freely offer.
WORDS OF ASSURANCE:
Friends, hear this good news: While we were still far off, Christ came near. He has broken down every wall that divides us, uniting us as one body through His cross. In Jesus Christ, you are forgiven, welcomed, and made part of God’s family. Thanks be to God!
Following Jesus in Real Life
No One Follows Jesus Alone
Today's Message: Pastor Dave Page
Friends, we’ve just heard the good news: In Christ, you are forgiven. You are welcomed. You are part of God’s family. And that means something really important, you are not alone. You never have been, and you never will be.
I want you to sit with that for a second. God didn’t just save you from sin, He saved you into a family. Into a community. Into the body of Christ.
But here’s the strange thing, even though God designed us for connection, so many of us try to follow Jesus like it’s a solo project. We treat faith like a personal hobby rather than a shared way of life.
Let me give you an example.
Think about firefighters. When they enter a burning building, they never go alone. They use what’s called the “buddy system.” Two firefighters enter together, stay together, and leave together. They constantly check in with each other, watching each other’s backs, making sure no one gets lost, trapped, or overwhelmed. Why? Because going alone is dangerous. One small mistake or moment of panic can turn deadly, but with a partner, they can navigate the danger, help each other, and make it out alive.
That’s exactly how faith works. God never intended you to navigate the heat and challenges of life by yourself. But so many of us try. We pray alone, read the Bible alone, and show up to church once in a while, thinking we’re doing fine, until the fire gets hot and we realize, we’re not okay.
The early church shows us a different way. Acts 2 paints this picture of a community living life together, eating together, praying together, serving each other, and practicing the way of Jesus side by side. This wasn’t an occasional event. It was a daily reality.
Let’s read it together: Acts 2:42–47.
Scripture Reading: Acts 2:42-47, Hebrews 10:23-25
Acts 2:42-47
42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.
46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
Hebrews 10:23-25
23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
Following Jesus isn’t a private lifestyle, it’s a shared journey. No one practices the way of Jesus alone.
We Were Made for Connection, Not Isolation
(Hebrews 10:23–25)
Hebrews 10 says:
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess… and let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together… but encouraging one another.”
That’s not a suggestion, it’s a design. You were made for connection. You were created to grow in the company of others.
Let’s be honest, sometimes we like the idea of going it alone. It feels easier, less messy, more “in control.” But the truth is, isolation weakens us. Over time, it dulls our passion, erodes our hope, and leaves us vulnerable.
There’s a story in Exodus 17 where Israel is in battle. Moses stands on a hill, holding up his staff in prayer. As long as his hands are raised, the Israelites are winning. But when his arms get tired, the enemy starts winning. So, Aaron and Hur step in. They hold up Moses’ arms for him until the battle is over.
That’s what real faith community looks like. Sometimes, you’re the one holding up the arms. Other times, you’re the one whose arms need holding. Either way, you can’t win the battle alone.
Think about your own life: When have you felt the most spiritually alive? Was it when you were disconnected and isolated, or when you were actively connected to others in prayer, worship, and mission?
God’s Word is clear: isolation breeds discouragement; connection breeds courage.
Shared Practices Lead to Shared Strength
(Acts 2:42–47)
Acts 2 tells us the early church was devoted to four things, teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer. They didn’t just believe the same thing; they practiced the same rhythms. Together.
Paul gives us another picture in 1 Corinthians 12 – the church is like a human body. Every part is different, but every part is connected. A hand doesn’t survive without the arm. An eye can’t function apart from the head. And here’s the thing, when the body is healthy, every part benefits.
It’s the same in the church. When you’re connected to the body, when you worship, pray, and serve alongside others, you share in the encouragement, wisdom, and care that comes from the whole. And in turn, your presence strengthens the whole body.
But if you disconnect, you lose that nourishment. Your spiritual health suffers, and the body misses the gift of your presence.
The early church understood this. Their shared practices weren’t just religious rituals. They were lifelines. They were the heartbeat of their spiritual health.
So, what do we do with this?
Here’s the challenge: Don’t try to follow Jesus alone.
Get practical about it. Find your people. Who are you going to walk with in your faith? Not just people you sit near in church, but people you actually share life with. Start a shared practice. Pick one rhythm, a weekly prayer time, a monthly Sabbath meal, or a group Scripture reading plan. Keep it consistent, not complicated.
And here’s where I want to make this super tangible for our church family. This fall, we’re launching several opportunities designed exactly for this, so you don’t have to go it alone:
Small Groups – Meet weekly in homes for prayer, Bible study, and sharing life.
Service and Mission Teams – From hospitality to children’s ministry to outreach, working side by side to bless others builds strong relationships.
Thursday Midweek Program – Because eating, studying and praying together changes us.
Here’s my invitation: Before you leave today, pray about one of these ways to connect this fall. Don’t overthink it. Just take a step.
Because when you’re connected, you’ll find strength you didn’t know you had. You’ll be encouraged when life gets hard. And you’ll be able to encourage others when they need it most.
We are the body of Christ. And no one—no one—follows Jesus alone.
Prayer
Gracious Father, we thank You for Your Word that reminds us we are not alone. From the beginning, You have called a people, not just individuals, to walk together in faith, in hope, and in love.
We thank You for the example of the early church, for their devotion to one another, for their commitment to prayer, worship, and care for the needy. Lord, make us that kind of people here and now.
Forgive us for the times we’ve tried to follow You in isolation, for believing the lie that we can do this on our own. Draw us back into the warmth of community. Give us courage to take the steps we need to connect deeply with brothers and sisters in Christ.
We pray for those among us who feel alone today, the lonely, the grieving, the hurting. Wrap them in Your presence and surround them with people who will listen, pray, and walk beside them.
We pray for our church, Lord, that You would knit us together in love, that we would carry each other’s burdens, celebrate each other’s joys, and together bear witness to Your goodness in our city.
And as we step into this fall season with new groups, ministries, and opportunities, help us not to stand on the sidelines. Lead each of us to find our place in Your family’s life and mission. Give us hearts that are open, hands that are willing, and feet that are ready to walk alongside others in the way of Jesus.
Song
Benediction
Friends, as you go from here, remember, you are not walking this journey alone. God has placed you in a family of faith, and we get to walk together. So, encourage each other, pray for each other, and share the love of Jesus wherever you go.
Go in His grace, live in His love, and let His joy be your strength this week.
Amen.