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Mathew 16:13-20 – With Christ as the cornerstone the church will be built. The gates of hell won’t be able to overcome the church.
Genesis 12:1-4 – The children of Israel were one of the first referred to as a “congregation.” We see here the beginning of the “congregation of Israel.” Abraham was called and he went.
John 8:39 – “Abraham was our father. We are part of his bloodline, that’s what is important.” It was for Abraham’s faith that God chose him as the father of Israel.
What is the purpose of the church? To glorify God, the creator and sustainer.
John 3:16 – We see the undying love of God for humanity.
Romans 12 – We have direct access to our father God, through the means of Christ’s blood which speaks to us. In a very large sense, God wants an “organic” or direct connection between us and him.
Why should God receive glory? As our creator and the maker of the universe who else should receive all honor praise and glory?
Is Church for Me?
God intends for us to relate together as a group of believers. Not only is he desiring a direct “organic” relationship with us, he also uses people (as in a church) to pull us together and towards him.
Jesus didn’t institute a bunch of committees and events and such when he was here on earth. It is important for us to stay focused on the reason for why we are doing things the way we are doing them. All for the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 11:23-34 – There is a tendency for us to focus on whether we are worthy to take a part in communion. Of ourselves we will never be worthy. Instead we should be focusing on glorifying Christ through our celebration of his death and resurrection. James tells us that if there is something we need to take care of, confess it, work on it, take care of it.
Acts 20:7, Revelation 5:9-14, Revelation 19:1-4 – We see a great multitude, a congregation, coming together, fully united and bringing praise to God!
We are all a very small part of God’s church… but it is God’s church and we can, and should, be a part of it.