Welcome to the Family of God

by Wilson Adams

Introduction

A lot of people have the wrong impression about the role and purpose of the church.  That attitude is often summed up with something like -- "I want to serve God on my own agenda without getting entangled in church buildings and padded seats, and song books, and pulpits... I don't need the church to be spiritual..."

I want to be up front with you -- I would like the chance to raise your level of appreciation for the church.  That may be hard with some because of a past and bitter experience.  But I'm willing to take the chance to reach out to you and I only ask for two simple favors in return:

  1. a kind hearing

  2. an open mind

Thank You.

  1. ABOUT THE CHURCH

  1. Opinions as to Identity.  Some see the church as a social club; a place to mix and mingle and meet people.  Others view the church as a hospital and a gathering place for hurting people.  Still others see the church as "nice" --as in-- "that church is a nice addition to the community."

  2. Opinions as to Criticisms.  Is any place as criticized as much as a local church?  (I heard of a fellow who went looking for the perfect church.  He was encouraged not to go there or else he would mess it up!)

  3. Opinions as to Unmet Expectations.  Some see the church existing only for the purpose of serving them.

  1. CHRIST'S STATEMENT ON THE CHURCH
    Matthew 16:18

  1. First, the Project is Christ's: "I will build..."  It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking that "we" are the key to the survival of the church.  We are not.

  2. Second, the Church Belongs to Him: "...My church"  Christ is the head of the church (Eph. 5:23)

  3. Third, the Church Will Survive: "...and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it."  Church buildings crumble and fall, congregations splinter and divide, Christians may not always be what they ought to be -- but through it all God's people continue to gather, worship and work (and will continue to do so) until He returns.

  1. CHRIST'S COMMITMENT TO THE CHURCH

Question: If the "church" is that valuable to Jesus, should we value it any less?  Should we treat lightly that for which Jesus gave His own blood?

  1. Reminder:  The church is a body not a building; the church is people not a place.  The word literally means "the called out."  And people are the ones called by God.  Jesus died for people.

  2. Two Extremes:

  1. Some worship a place.  They see the church as a location, a building, a security blanket of tradition.  (That's why some will stay at a place regardless of what is taught!)

  2. Some see no need for the church at all.  "And God added to the church daily those being saved," Acts 2:47.  When you were born again, God added you to His church (the universal body of saved people).  That was automatic.  Just like... when you were born physically, God added you to the universal human race.  That was automatic.  Now listen to this:

You need more than the universal church in order to grow, succeed, and thrive spiritually... JUST LIKE you need more than the human race in order to grow, succeed, and thrive physically.

You need a family!

  1. In the context of a family we grow physically.  In the context of a family (church) we grow spiritually.  (Does that make sense?)  Trying to grow in Christ apart from the local church is like trying to raise yourself without a family.  It doesn't work.
  2. God gave the church as a place... where the truth of the gospel can be consistently proclaimed and we can grow into healthy Christians... where our children can become rooted in their faith... where our teens can discover how Christ fits into the network of their lives... where adults can learn, rejoice, grieve, and grow together in Christ.

There is no such thing as the "LONE RANGER" Christian!

  1. It's sad to see orphans display the bitter attitude that they don't need anyone to take care of them.  Sadder, still, are spiritual orphans who see no benefit of a local church family.

  1. CHRIST'S WORDS ABOUT THE CHURCH

  1. The Church is Healthy Relationships, Rom. 12.

  1. Community & accountability vs. 4-5.

  2. Encouragement and family acceptance, vs. 9-10.

  3. Emotional support and spiritual care, vs. 12-15

  1. The Church is Unity & Compassion, 1 Cor. 12:25-26.   Do you feel that level of compassion where you work? Go to school? To whom do you turn when you lose your job or health or mate? (See Rom. 12:15)

  2. The Church is Consistent Generosity, 2 Cor. 8:1-5; 9:7.   It is through the local church that money is given through which God's work is done in the world.  And the greatest work of the church is preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ (Mark 16:15-16)

    It is important that you belong to a local church which preaches the gospel without hesitation for, after all, you cannot be saved unless you comply with the commands of the gospel.

Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God?
Are you willing to repent of your sins?
Have you been baptized for the forgiveness of sins?

"Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins..."  Acts 2:38

    When you have done that, God adds you to the body of the saved (Acts2:47).  But you also need a local body (church) in which to grow as a Christian.  You need others and they need you.  It's what the church is all about.

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