06 Jul 2025 4 min read Sermons

Celebration of Church

What if church was more than a routine—what if it was a celebration? In this message, Pastor Josh unpacks the joy and power of gathering as the early church did: devoted to teaching, fellowship, prayer, and shared meals. Church isn’t a ritual—it’s where restoration begins.

Photo by Jason Leung / Unsplash

What makes church worth celebrating?

Is it the music? The message? The meal afterward?

In this message, Pastor Josh shares his personal love for Heartbeat Church and invites us into a deeper understanding of what church is—and why Sunday gatherings matter. Titled Celebration of Church, the message unpacks the biblical blueprint for gatherings found in Acts 2, and explains how every moment of our Sunday service is designed not as ritual, but as restoration.

From Rhythm to Revival

Life is full of rhythms—seasons, day and night, work and rest. And in the same way that our bodies need food and sleep, our spirits need Sabbath. Church, Pastor Josh reminds us, is part of that God-given rhythm for restoration. “We are living in such a restless life,” he says, “and God gave us one device: come to Me. I will revive you.”

Sunday service isn’t just something we do—it’s something we need. The early church gathered regularly, and Hebrews warns us not to make a habit of neglecting this. When we come together, something supernatural happens: “You are stronger when you are together. You are more joyful when you are together.”

Acts 2: A Blueprint for Every Church

Looking at Acts 2:42–47, Pastor Josh explains the four core devotions of the early church:

Teaching The apostles’ teaching was treasured because most early believers were illiterate. They gathered hungry for the Word, connecting the Old Testament to Christ. Today, we must treat preaching not as entertainment, but as spiritual food. “If you treat the Word of God as some form of entertainment, you miss the church.”
Fellowship Even when emotionally drained, Pastor Josh testifies that simply showing up and talking to others has lifted him. “There’s a certain synergy I couldn’t come up with. A certain encouragement I couldn’t conjure up.” Fellowship is not passive—it must be intentional.
Breaking Bread They ate together—not just physically, but relationally. Meals became moments of care, support, and love. Pastor Josh confesses, “I used to wish I could just eat a pill instead of meals.” But over time, God revealed the sacredness of eating together. Church is not just a study group—it’s a feast.
Prayer Prayer wasn’t just individual; it was corporate. He highlights a moving example: a young woman named Lou asked for prayer for a child in a coma—and God answered. We are reminded, “God answers our prayers when we pray together.”

These devotions weren’t rituals—they were expressions of life touched by the Holy Spirit. Devotion is the natural outcome of meeting Jesus.

The Power of Gathering: Large and Small

The early church met in two places: the temple courts and homes. Heartbeat mirrors this today through Sunday services and house church. The big gatherings are where we hear the teaching and worship in unity. The smaller gatherings are where we eat, share, and care deeply.

And all of it was done with glad and sincere hearts. But what happens when we don’t feel joyful?

Pastor Josh is honest: “I woke up this morning gagging, throwing up… If I’m truthful to my emotion, I’d stay in bed and talk to no one.” But church is where we choose to be truthful to the truth of who God is—not just to our circumstances. “Even through sickness, I have joy. I have a reason to celebrate.”

Joy is a Choice

Joy isn’t a mood—it’s a discipline. That’s why every service starts with a call to worship. Psalm 100 says, “Make a joyful noise to the Lord.” It’s not a suggestion to whisper or mope—it’s a command to shout joyfully, even when life is hard.

“Rejoice always is not a feeling. It’s a choice.”

Pastor Josh challenges us to shake off spiritual apathy: “Stop being Asian,” he jokes, urging the congregation to clap, sing, and engage with hearts and voices. “We’ve got too many spiritual teenagers who never grew up.”

Why We Structure Sunday the Way We Do

Every part of the Sunday service is designed with intention:

Joyful Worship: More than music—it’s Spirit-filled declarations of truth. Even during instrumental interludes, we’re encouraged to sing new songs or pray in tongues silently. “Worship is your responsibility, not the worship team’s.”
Prayer Time: Not just reflective, but intercessory. We pray for those next to us because we are a body.
Cheerful Offering: Giving is part of worship. “We’re not a money-grabbing organization,” Pastor Josh says, “but we are called to be generous because God is generous.”
Public Scripture Reading: Moving away from projectors and back to Bibles. “Bring your Bible. Open it. Let the Word speak into you.”
Preaching: Whether topical or verse-by-verse, the message must be rooted in Scripture. And we must not let issues with the messenger block the message: “If you have a problem with me, it’s your fault,” he jokes—but seriously adds, “Resolve it, so your heart stays open to the Word.”
Fellowship After Service: Some people’s church experience doesn’t start until after the benediction. Stick around, talk, and love one another.
Communion: Even when we don’t partake physically, every week we remember. “Remember what Jesus has done. Remember He died. Remember He rose. Remember He’s coming again.”

A Final Word: Be the Church

Church is not a perfect gathering of perfect people. The early church had issues. The Corinthian church had chaos. But God still believed in them—and He believes in us.

Pastor Josh leaves us with this encouragement: “Do not isolate yourself. When you’re together, someone next to you can help you remember: God is good.”