What do you look for in a best friend?
• Most people would agree that,
• A best friend is someone that you can share your most intimate, and deep secrets.
• Things that you would never share with the rest of the world.
• Someone that you turn to when you are hurt,
• Someone who you would share both your joy, and your sorrow.
Sometimes friends like this take a lifetime to make.
• You may have grown up with them, gone to school with them,
• Watched them go thru the hardships of life and been there for them.
• Or they have been there for you.
• Other times you can bond with someone almost instantly, and just know that you have that special connection.
We all want to find a where we feel welcome
• A place where we can go and people not only know us but a place where we feel like they want us there
• A place that appeals to our sense of worth
• A place where when we’re there we feel like family
• A place where we feel we
• Because Friendship is important in life
And because of that we go to great lengths to find places like these
• Places where we feel that we fit in.
Coffee shops are places that have taken this kind of mentality in mind
• When they designed their facilities
• Coffee shops are a sanctuary from the hectic daily routine of life.
• It’s common meeting place for those who need to meet.
And we can learn a lot from places like Starbucks, Panera Bread The Coffee Bean That we can apply to our churches
1. Places like these are open to community
• These places take the time to talk with their customers.
• They form relationships with their customers.
• They serve coffee in mugs not paper to go cups
• Because that’s the way you do it at home
• They offer you a place to relax with Comfortable chairs, couches, etc.
• They put popular newspapers out for you to read
• They take the time to create an environment that makes customers want to hang out
• A place where you want to stay
At these places You can always find someone ready for conversation
• Stay-at-home dad looking for some adult contact
• A college student happy to be off campus
• Business woman working on a project
• People everywhere, laptops, Because they care enough to offer their customers free internet.
Spontaneous interaction happens all the time
• As we grow, we will need to work hard to maintain spontaneity.
• At Starbucks, getting together with others is easy.
There is one thing in common that happens both before the service today and the one that happens next week.
• That thing is Life
• The church was never intended to be an in and out place.
• A place where we show up for an hour or two once a week.
The church was originally created to be the coffee house of its time.
• A place that’s inviting.
• A place that makes you feel comfortable
• A place that gives you the feeling that you just might want to stay for a while.
• A place where you can hang out, talk, relax and connect.
This is the way that the early church operated
James 3:18
Jas 3:17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no partiality and is always sincere.
Jas 3:18 And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of goodness.
2 The Church is a place where everyone knows your name or at least recognizes you
• It’s normal for coffee shops to recognize their customers,
• To Greet them by name
• To have your favorite drink started when they see you come in the door
• It’s normal for a group of people here to be standing in the doorway talking
• Because it’s life and they have a connection.
• Because their friends.
• Because they care about each other.
• Check out what it says in Rom. 12:10 says, “Be devoted to each other like a loving family. Excel in showing respect for each other.”
• Respect is another way of saying Hospitality
And Hospitality is contagious
• Coffee shops show it by taking the time to offer Extras
• Extras like whipped cream on a Frappuccino.
• Cinnamon, Flavorings
• We in the church we try and do the same thing
• We try and make people feel welcome?
Why?
• Because The truth is, everyone needs and wants to be loved,
• People want to be a part of a church where they genuinely feel loved
• They feel like they are cared about and
• They can care about the people around them,
Ro 14:19 So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.
3. Churches need to cater to differing tastes
• There isn’t a church in the world where everybody likes everything that is going on.
• Why?
• It’s because we are all different.
• God has wired each one of us differently.
• You don’t even have to like coffee to hang out at Starbucks.
• You don’t have to like everything about this church.
Coffee Shops Offer people choices
• If you do drink coffee you get to choose between Caffinated and decaf,
• You can choose Espressos, lattes, Frapps.
• Tea drinkers can choose between chai or passion flavors,
• You can have it hot or on the rocks.
• You can also get a fruit drink, muffin, or breakfast sandwich
Variety is a standard.
• Our church offers a lot of really good things for its members also.
• This is why we want to continue to add to the menu at here.
I’ve seen all kinds of people at Starbucks:
• Pastor studying
• Young people being mentored
• Teens hanging out
• Joggers taking a break
• College students studying
• Old people sipping tea
• Old friends taking time to catch up.
I’ve also seen all kinds of people at Franklin Christian
• Ties
• Tattoos
• Piercings
• Jeans, Khaki’s
• Dresses, Slacks
• T-shirts, blouses
• Long hair, short hair, no hair
The good news is that God accepts everyone who has faith,
• Romans 1:16 I’m proud to proclaim this extraordinary Message of God’s powerful plan to rescue everyone who trusts in Him.
• God accepts people because of their faith
• And those that accept Him get to live."
• Forever with Him
But the big question that people ask is “Why do I need to go to church.”
• Heb. 10:25 says, “Let us not give up the habit of meeting together, as some are doing. Instead, let us encourage one another.”
• 2 Corinthians 5:9-11(Msg) Cheerfully pleasing God is the main thing, and that’s what we aim to do, regardless of our conditions. Sooner or later we’ll all have to face God, regardless of our conditions.
• We will appear before Christ and take what’s coming to us as a result of our actions, either good or bad.
• That keeps us vigilant, you can be sure. It’s no light thing to know that we’ll all one day stand in a place of Judgment. That’s why we work urgently with everyone we meet to get them ready to face God. God alone knows how well we do this, but I hope you realize how much and deeply we care.
• Rick Warren once said “It’s always easier to stand on the sidelines and take shots at those who are serving than it is to get involved and make a contribution.” --
As I started with tonight
• Friendship is a very personal relationship.
• And by coming to church you can work on those friendships
• Friendships with people that hang out here,
• And with the One Who always knew your name
• The one that lights up when you enter into His presence, Jesus
Mt 10:30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
• Jesus knows us so well that He knows how many hairs are on each one of our heads.
• That’s Someone who really knows us well.
• And the cool thing Him knowing us this well.
• About Him Knowing Us Better than anybody else
• Is That Despite all our faults, problems, addictions, and sins He still loves us.
He’s the one that knows how we like our coffee
• He’s the one that when we come in the door is already making what we need.
• He’s the one that calls out our name and always greets us with a smile.
• He’s the one we can count on if we’re having a bad day.
• He’s also the one Who picks us back up and puts us back on the correct path after we stumble and fall.
So those of you that are visiting with us today
• I hope you will come back again
• And get to know the Owner of this coffee shop.
• The One where you are always welcome,
• And the best part is He’s here 24 hours a day.
