Why do you belong in Church?
God is building a home. He's using us all - irrespective of how we got here - in what He is building. Ephesians 2:20 (TM)
Paul writes: "God is building a home. He's using us all - irrespective of how we got here - in what He is building. He used the apostles and prophets for the foundation. Now He's using you, fitting you in brick by brick, stone by stone, with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone that holds all the parts together. We see it taking shape day after day - a holy temple built by God, all of us built into it, a temple in which God is quite at home" (Ephesians 2:19-22 TM).
There are times when we need to be alone with God in prayer. But there are other times when we can only experience the fullness of His presence as we come together with His people. The church is like a corporate headquarters. When people who are individually indwelt by the Spirit meet there for worship, praise, instructions, encouragement and service, God's Spirit shows up in a powerful way and we grow as we experience His presence and hear His Word.
The world and circumstances may beat us up all week and make us feel like losers, but when we gather with other members of Christ's body we are reminded that we are on the winning side. It's hard to celebrate all by yourself. When you have something worth celebrating you call people together so you can share the joy. Jesus Christ is so excited about His victory at the cross that He calls us together each week to celebrate what He achieved for us. And celebration, like Spiritual growth, is a group project.
Bob Gass
God is building a home. He's using us all - irrespective of how we got here - in what He is building. Ephesians 2:20 (TM)
Paul writes: "God is building a home. He's using us all - irrespective of how we got here - in what He is building. He used the apostles and prophets for the foundation. Now He's using you, fitting you in brick by brick, stone by stone, with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone that holds all the parts together. We see it taking shape day after day - a holy temple built by God, all of us built into it, a temple in which God is quite at home" (Ephesians 2:19-22 TM).
There are times when we need to be alone with God in prayer. But there are other times when we can only experience the fullness of His presence as we come together with His people. The church is like a corporate headquarters. When people who are individually indwelt by the Spirit meet there for worship, praise, instructions, encouragement and service, God's Spirit shows up in a powerful way and we grow as we experience His presence and hear His Word.
The world and circumstances may beat us up all week and make us feel like losers, but when we gather with other members of Christ's body we are reminded that we are on the winning side. It's hard to celebrate all by yourself. When you have something worth celebrating you call people together so you can share the joy. Jesus Christ is so excited about His victory at the cross that He calls us together each week to celebrate what He achieved for us. And celebration, like Spiritual growth, is a group project.
Bob Gass
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