There’s nothing about being a Christian that is simple or easy. We live in a time where being a Christian doesn't just make you different, it makes you look in the wrong, hurtful, and even hateful because of the world's compass of morality. If you're a Christian, and you call yourself a follower of Jesus, what’s the point of standing for such an unpopular opinion? If you are not a Christian
and you're new to this whole church thing, what's the point of being here? In this series, we're looking at the point of all of this... A life-changing relationship with Jesus!
Negatives in the Church
FIGHTING BETWEEN CHURCHES AND DENOMINATIONS
Sometimes, the church as a whole
spends more time arguing about little things
than we do banding together
reaching out to the world around us.
2 Timothy 2:23-26
23 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.
CHURCHES THAT ARE GETTING SIDETRACKED
Some churches teach a fake and unbiblical version of the gospel.
Matthew 6:24
24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
CHURCHES THAT AREN'T DOING ANYTHING
If the church is not stepping up
and living out scripture
and living for the gospel,
then we are completely wasting our time.
Relation 3:16
So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
The Point of the Church
TEACHING
1 Timothy 4:13
13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.
The reason we teach straight out scripture at Living Faith, is because we want a SOLID plan, and SOLID training.
CORPORATE WORSHIP
There is an incredible way that God grows us, and connects us together when we join in one voice to Worship God!
Ephesians 2:20-22
20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
A SAFE PLACE FOR NON-BELIEVERS
The most important part of our church at Living Faith is Life Groups. We base these groups on Acts 2:42-47, and while it lays out exactly what the church should look like, it also ends with:
Acts 2:47b
And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
The church is set up for people that don’t know Jesus to have a safe and inviting place to hear the unedited truth and discover Jesus for themselves.
Community
Hebrews 10:23 lays out a nearly impossible goal:
23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
Holding unswervingly to your hope is absolutely impossible alone.
which is why the verse continues by saying:
24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
God knew, that as believers, we couldn't live completely silent lifestyles, pulled away from other people in the world and make it. You cannot make it alone.
Ask for help, be there to help others, and link arms together to accomplish amazing things for the Kingdom of God.
