Series: Vision Day 2025
Sermon Title: A Balanced, Healthy, Christ-Centered Church
Passage: Acts 2:42-47
Reno Campus
Pastor Dave Pretlove
Carson Campus
Video Pastor Dave Pretlove
Campus Announcements / Service Moments
Reno Campus
Starting Point March 9
Great Egg Race Volunteer
Women’s Bible Study
Carson Campus
Starting Point March 9
Great Egg Race Volunteer
Carson Worship & Prayer Night
Series: Vision Day
Sermon Title: A Balanced, Healthy Christ-Centered Church
Passage: Acts 2:42-47
SERMON POINTS:
What do we mean by “balanced healthy christ centered church seeking the transformation of northern Nevada”?
- Balanced – We Want To Take The Best Parts of Multiple Christian Movements.
- Healthy – Healthy Relationships, Healthy Leadership.
- Christ Centered – We Seek to Keep The Main Thing The Main Thing.
- Seeking The Transformation of Northern Nevada— God Has Placed Us Here For Such a Time As This.
GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- The early believers “devoted themselves” to teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer. What does devotion look like in your life right now, and how can we encourage each other to stay rooted in these essentials as a group?
Supportive Scripture: - The early church experienced both the steady foundation of the apostles’ teaching and the dynamic power of signs and wonders. How can we intentionally cultivate a faith that honors the depth of Scripture and active presence of the Holy Spirit?
Supportive Scripture: - Where do you feel safe in your faith, leaning more into Bible knowledge or experiencing the Spirit?
- What would it look like for you to become more balanced in your faith?
- Pastor Dave taught about a a high-love, low-drama culture. How can we build a “functional family” culture in our lives where grace abounds and conflict shrinks?
Supportive Scripture: - In an era of strong opinions and division, how can our church model humility and grace on non-essential matters, fostering a culture that prioritizes peace and mutual growth over being right?
Supportive Scripture: - Read Acts 2:44. How can we embrace diversity in our church (backgrounds, experiences, even opinions on secondary stuff) while staying united in Christ?
Supportive Scripture: - The early church’s devotion sparked daily transformation—first in them, then beyond. How can we as a church position ourselves as agents of God’s renewal, starting with our own hearts and rippling out to reshape Northern Nevada for His glory?
Supportive Scripture:
PERSONAL REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
- Living a Devoted Life
The early church didn’t just “fit God in” when they had time. They built their lives around learning, prayer, community, and shared meals. If you looked at your daily rhythms, what are you most devoted to? Where is Jesus inviting you to grow deeper in one of these areas?
Action Step: Pick one of these four (learning the Word, prayer, community, or sharing meals with believers) and commit to strengthening it this week. Maybe that means setting aside dedicated prayer time, joining a LifeGroup, or inviting someone over for dinner. - Embracing Both Truth & Spirit
Some of us lean toward deep study of Scripture but struggle to experience God’s presence. Others thrive in worship and prayer but hesitate to engage deeply with theology. Where do you land? How can you bring both truth and Spirit into your daily walk with Jesus?
Action Step: If you’re more of a thinker, invite the Holy Spirit into your quiet time—pray, listen, and wait. If you’re more experiential, spend time studying Scripture to deepen your foundation. - Worship That’s Real, Not Forced
Worship should be genuine—not a performance, not forced emotion, but an authentic response to God’s goodness. What does true worship look like for you? Is anything holding you back—fear, distraction, self-consciousness?
Action Step: Next time you worship, take a step beyond your comfort zone. If you usually stay reserved, try singing out. If you’re expressive but disconnected from the lyrics, focus on their meaning. Make worship real. - Building a Healthy Church Culture
LifeChurch is a low-drama, high-grace kind of place. We’re family. And family means choosing unity over division, assuming the best in people, and handling conflict with love. How can you personally help create a culture of love and grace?
Action Step: If there’s tension between you and someone in church, pray about reaching out with a heart of reconciliation. If you see negativity or gossip, shift the conversation toward unity and encouragement. - Moving Beyond Sunday Morning
The early church wasn’t just a Sunday gathering—they did life together. Who are the people in your faith community that truly know you? How can you intentionally build deeper, real relationships rather than just attending a service?
Action Step: Reach out to someone from church this week. Send a text, grab coffee, or invite them over. Church is more than a service—it’s a family. - Keeping the Main Thing, the Main Thing
It’s easy to get caught up in side issues—things that matter, but aren’t the center of our faith. Are there distractions (even good things) pulling your focus away from simply knowing and following Jesus?
Action Step: Identify one distraction and set it aside this week. Spend intentional time with Jesus—maybe a silent retreat, a worship walk, or Scripture meditation—to re-center your heart. - Living the Mission, Right Here
We are called to reach the lost, love the vulnerable, and impact the next generation. Who in your life is searching for hope? Who needs to know they are seen, loved, and valued by Jesus?
Action Step: Take one bold step toward someone who needs Jesus this week—an invite, a conversation, a prayer, a simple act of kindness. God moves when we step out.
SCRIPTURES TO MEDITATE ON:
- Proverbs 11:2 – “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”
- Philippians 2:2 – “…being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.”
- Romans 12:10 – “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
RESOURCES:
- PODCAST | DAVID PLATT | DEVOTED TO THE WORD AND PRAYER
- ARTICLE | DAVID BURNETTE | WHAT IS THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH
- PODCAST | JON TYSON | THE CHURCH IN LIGHT OF POLITICAL FAILURE
- PODCAST | THE PURSUE GOD TRUTH PODCAST
MONTHLY SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE : The Prayer of Examen
Imagine your day is like a treasure map, dotted with little “X” marks where God’s been leaving gifts—moments of peace, whispers of grace, and even challenges that nudge you closer to Him. But here’s the thing—unless we stop and look, we might walk right past ‘em! That’s where The Prayer of Examen comes in. It’s not some stuffy religious checklist; it’s more like sitting by a campfire with Jesus, sifting through the day’s embers to find the gold He tucked in there.
Picture it as a soul-breathing rhythm—a way to slow down and let the Holy Spirit shine a flashlight on your heart. Where did you feel alive today? Where did you stumble? It’s not about guilt trips; it’s about discovery. You’re inviting God to pull up a chair and say, “Hey, let’s look at this together.” Suddenly, the ordinary—your coffee run, that tough convo at work—becomes holy ground because He was there all along.
Here’s a devotional thought to chew on: In John 10:27, Jesus says, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” The Examen tunes your ears to that voice. It’s like training your spiritual radar to pick up His signal amid the static of life. Maybe you felt Him in a friend’s encouragement, or maybe you missed Him when impatience took over. Either way, He’s not mad—He’s inviting you closer. As you explore this discipline, you’re not just reflecting—you’re rediscovering a God who’s wild about walking every step with you.
So, fam, why not give it a whirl? Grab a notebook or just a quiet corner tonight. Ask Jesus to show you where He showed up today—big or small—and let Him whisper, “I was right there.” It’s a game-changer, y’all. The Examen isn’t just a practice; it’s a doorway to deeper friendship with the One who never leaves. Let’s step through it together and see where He takes us!
Morning Examen Practice: Start Your Day with Jesus
Take 5 minutes before the day kicks off—grab your coffee, find a quiet spot, and let’s do this:
- Invite God In. Take a deep breath and pray, “Jesus, I’m Yours today. Be with me in every moment.”
- Look Ahead with Hope. Think about what’s coming—meetings, errands, kid chaos—and ask, “Lord, where do You want to meet me today? Help me see You.”
- Set Your Heart. Say something simple like, “God, I want to trust You more today. Open my eyes to Your presence.”
That’s it! You’re ready to step into the day knowing He’s already walking with you.
Evening Examen Practice: Unwind with Jesus
Before bed, take 10 minutes to reflect. Here’s a 5-step rhythm to try:
- Become Aware of God’s Presence. Sit still for a second. Breathe. Pray, “Lord, You’ve been with me all day. Help me see You now.”
- Review the Day with Gratitude. Replay your day—where did you see God’s goodness? A kind word? A sunset? Thank Him: “Jesus, thanks for that moment.”
- Notice Where You Struggled. Where did stress or impatience creep in? Ask, “Lord, where did I miss You? Where did I try to take the wheel?”
- Confess and Receive Grace. Be real with God—“Lord, I snapped at my spouse,” or “I worried instead of trusting You.” Then let His grace wash over you. No shame here—just love.
- Look Ahead to Tomorrow. Pray, “Jesus, guide me tomorrow. Help me notice You more.” Rest in knowing He’s got you.
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT:
Worry has a way of creeping in, doesn’t it? I know for me, there have been plenty of times when my mind just won’t slow down—when I feel like I have to hold everything together, make the right decisions, and somehow control how it all plays out. Sometimes, it’s just a nagging thought in the back of my mind. Other times, it’s a full-on weight on my chest that I can’t seem to shake.
I’ll never forget about 15-20 years ago when I had a business that was failing. I was on a family vacation, but instead of enjoying time with my wife and kids, my mind was completely consumed. Payroll was due. A massive bill was looming—$45,000 that I didn’t have. The joy of that trip was stolen by anxiety. No matter how much I tried to push it aside, the stress was real, and it was overwhelming.
And yet, Jesus, in His deep kindness, doesn’t just tell us to stop worrying—He shows us a better way. In Luke 12, He looks at His disciples and says, “Do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes” (Luke 12:22-23).
That’s a bold statement. Because let’s be honest—most of the things we worry about feel pretty important. Finances, relationships, the future, our kids, our health… these aren’t small things. But Jesus tells us not to let them consume us. Why? Because worry doesn’t free us—it binds us. And He came to set us free.
Worry reveals a lot about what’s happening in our hearts. It shows us what we trust, what we prioritize, and how we see God. Jesus isn’t just calling us to stop worrying—He’s inviting us to live in a way where we don’t need to.
He reminds us that our Father knows what we need. He feeds the ravens, dresses wildflowers in beauty, and cares for creation in ways we barely notice. And if He does all that, how much more does He care for us?
But let’s be real—sometimes, trusting God feels easier said than done. We act like everything depends on us. Like if we don’t worry, it means we’re being careless. But Jesus invites us into something different. He invites us to seek His Kingdom first—to trust that He is good, that He is present, and that He’s got us even when we can’t see how things will work out.
That vacation? It didn’t turn out the way I had hoped. Looking back, it probably wasn’t the wisest move to take it in the middle of all that stress. But here’s what I do know: God provided. He made a way. And not because I had it all figured out, but because He is faithful.
That’s the thing about releasing our worries to God—He doesn’t shame us for struggling. When a desperate father came to Jesus and said, “I believe—help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24), Jesus didn’t turn him away. He met him with compassion. And He does the same for us.
So maybe today, the invitation is simple: Let go. Not because the things you’re worried about don’t matter, but because you matter so much more to God. Your worries don’t hold power over you—Jesus does. And He is faithful.
Breathe deep. He’s got you.
Rob Hans | Pastor of Spiritual Formation and Connection