Why your faith wasn’t meant to be an individual sport.
By Nu Telea - Acts 2:42-47 says, “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. 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, praising God and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”
Did you know that Christianity was never meant to be done on our own? Christianity is not an individual sport. It was designed to be outworked in the context of community. That means we need each other in order to grow in God and to go deeper in Jesus Christ.
We are strengthened in our faith and can withstand the challenges we face because of the bonds we have around us. We need each other to meet the needs not only of our own lives but also of the lives of the people in our communities and in the world in which we live in.
“As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” Proverbs 27:17.
Yet we live in a world that promotes isolation, that celebrates independence and that targets the church. The only one I know that truly benefits from a Christian that is isolated and independent, is the devil. Why? Because as scripture puts it in Ecclesiastes 4:12, “one may be overpowered.”
That’s why Jesus emphasised the importance of “The Body” ministry and the need to be in unity with each other. If it was a key to the early church surviving and flourishing in times of persecution, it is a key for us today.
On 15 August in Auckland and on 4-5 September in Christchurch, we’re calling men together for Promise Keepers 2026. The theme is “Alive.” Around the world we see the Church being attacked and being persecuted. People condemning the Church, mocking it, and saying it is no longer relevant or needed. People saying the Church doesn't hold any answers. Even amongst Christians we hear negative talk. But I say the absolute opposite! We need the church to come alive more than ever before!
Imagine what it would look like if you stood together with other believers, men who were sold out for the Lord Jesus Christ. How powerful would that be? When we stand together as an army. When we stand together with those on our left and on our right, praying and worshipping, being encouraged, being equipped in the Word. That's when the devil shudders in fear.
We take ground that the enemy has stolen when we are together. As we meet together, not only at our local church, and in our men’s groups, but also at PK Events, I'm telling you now, something life-changing is going to happen.
My challenge to you is to be in the room, just like the Early church on the day of Pentecost, and watch the Lord pour out a fresh anointing of power over us all.
God bless you guys. Let's empty out hell and populate heaven in Jesus' name. Amen.
Blessings,
Nu Telea
Nu Telea is the Senior Pastor of Elim Church Christchurch and the current Chair of Promise Keepers New Zealand. Nu will be speaking at the Auckland PK Event. So join us in Auckland on 15 August to be equipped, encouraged, and sharpened.
P.S. Consider This: The early church survived and flourished because they stayed in unity. We aren't just meeting in August and September to gather; we are meeting to re-arm. Don’t stand alone, stand with the army.
