Amen. Praise the Lord. You may be seated. Praise the Lord for that. I appreciate so much being here and it’s already been good. I know I was refreshed and blessed by Brother Collins. Message and Brother Gaddis. Thank you so much for the good word. I praise the Lord for that.
Scripture Reference
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And they were dwelling at Jerusalem, Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. (Acts 2:1-4)
Introduction
Title: “Make Church an Event Again” — Bro. Randy Dignan brings a winsome, pastoral challenge to believers who love the local church but sense it has drifted into being merely a place rather than the life-changing event God intends. Drawing from Acts 2 and his decades of ministry, Bro. Randy encourages families, young adults, preachers, and congregations to recapture expectancy, wonder, and action so that God’s presence will again be the hallmark of our gatherings.
Amen. Praise the Lord. You may be seated. Praise the Lord for that. I appreciate so much being here and it’s already been good. I know I was refreshed and blessed by Brother Collins. Message and Brother Gaddis. Thank you so much for the good word. I praise the Lord for that.
Outline
- Assemble Again
- Scriptural basis — Acts 2:1 emphasizes corporate gathering: “they were all with one accord in one place.” God moved where His people assembled.
- Practical meaning — Making church an event begins with attendance. Regular, faithful assembling is not merely ritual; it is the soil where revival grows. Families prioritize church over minor activities; parents invest in spiritual formation rather than substitute pastimes.
- Challenge for young adults — Do not let secular schedules determine your spiritual life. Showing up is the first act of faith that opens the door for God to work.
- Bring an Atmosphere
- The attitude you carry — Churches should be places of joy, expectancy, and reverence. Bro. Randy warns against bringing grumpiness and indifference; bring energy and hopeful anticipation instead.
- Practical steps — Sit near the front, greet others warmly, participate in worship with enthusiasm, and create an environment where everyone expects God to move.
- Why it matters — Atmosphere impacts receptiveness. When congregants come with praise and anticipation, hearts are prepared for God’s presence.
- Get Amazed Again
- Amazement as a spiritual posture — Acts 2 records that people were “amazed and marvelled.” Awe at God’s work fuels worship and testimony.
- Amazement at salvation, Scripture, and creation — Remembering that Christ died and rose for sinners, and that Scripture is living and powerful, keeps us from spiritual dullness.
- Application for younger believers — Cultivate spiritual wonder. Read Scripture slowly, memorize verses that stun you, and meditate on Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection.
- Cling to Assurance
- Preach Jesus boldly — Peter’s sermon in Acts 2 centers on Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. When we lift Jesus, people find hope and certainty.
- Why assurance matters — Assurance steadies a church through cultural chaos. We can trust God’s sovereignty and promises even in uncertain times.
- How to grow assurance — Regular study of gospel texts, discipleship, testimonies, and faithful preaching reinforce confidence in God’s unchanging character.
- Get Active
- Serve and participate — Acts 2:42–47 shows believers continuing steadfastly in doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer, and then serving one another practically.
- Practical actions — Join a ministry: children’s work, visitation, outreach, music, discipleship groups, or support the church’s evangelism efforts. Activity prompts responsibility and releases God’s blessing.
- Mission focus — When the church is actively serving and evangelizing, God adds to the church daily. An event church is a working church — busy for Jesus, marked by visible fruit.
- Keep God-Centered, Not Crowd-Centered
- Events are not about showmanship — Bro. Randy cautions against copying worldly entertainment models. The true event is God showing up because His people are hungry and humble.
- Priority of holiness and prayer — Programs are good when they point to Christ. Revival begins when the congregation humbly cries out, asking God to manifest His presence.
- Long-term vision — Aim to be a place where God visits regularly — not by gimmicks, but through sound preaching, fervent prayer, and faithful living.
Summary
Bro. Randy Dignan’s message from Acts 2 reminds us that the earliest church was an event because God’s presence transformed ordinary gatherings into power-filled, saving encounters. To make our churches events again we must assemble faithfully, carry an atmosphere of expectancy, recover awe before God, cling to the assurance of the gospel, and get actively involved in service and outreach. Above all, we must keep God at the center — hungry hearts draw down God’s presence and power.
We got to get God back when God shows up as an event. Everywhere Jesus went in the Gospels, an event took place. People were healed. Dead people were raised from the dead. Multitudes were fed. Why? Because where Jesus shows up, it’s going to become an event.
Application for the Week
Make these practical commitments for the coming week. They are designed to be simple, measurable, and spiritual—especially helpful for young adults finding their rhythm in church life.
- Attend Intentionally
- Make it a priority to be present at the next Sunday service and midweek prayer or Bible study. Put it on your calendar and treat it like an unmissable appointment.
- Bring Expectancy
- Before you come, spend five minutes praying, asking God to show up and to prepare your heart to worship with expectancy (use a short verse such as Psalm 27:4 or Acts 2:1-4 as you pray).
- Participate Out Loud
- Sit closer to the front, lift your voice in worship, and publicly greet someone you don’t usually speak to. Small bold acts change atmosphere.
- Share an Awe-Story
- Send a brief testimony or story to your Sunday school teacher, small group leader, or the pastor this week of a recent way God worked in your life or answered a prayer. Testimonies encourage faith.
- Serve in a Small Way
- Volunteer for one simple task: hand out bulletins, help tidy the worship area, welcome guests, or sign up to be on an outreach team. Put your name on a ministry roster this week.
- Start a 7-Day Scripture and Prayer Rhythm
- For seven days, read one short passage each day (suggestions: Acts 2; Psalm 100; John 14:1–7; Romans 8:1–11). Pray a short prayer of thanksgiving and petition each day asking God to make your church a place of His presence.
- Invite One Person
- Invite one unchurched friend, coworker, or neighbor to attend with you next Sunday. Be ready to tell them—briefly—what makes your church special: Jesus, hope, and honest people seeking God.
These steps are small but biblical: assemble (Acts 2:1), come expectant, be amazed, hold fast to gospel assurance, and participate in God’s work. If every believer would take even one of these steps, our churches would begin to feel like the event God meant them to be.
May the Lord bless you as you seek to make your local church a place where God’s presence is welcome, expected, and experienced. Amen.
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