The Value Of Community Series

Show me a church where there is love, and I will show you a church that is a power in the community. In Chicago a few years ago a little boy attended a Sunday school I know of. When his parents moved to another part of the city the little fellow still attended the same Sunday school, although it meant a long, tiresome walk each way. A friend asked him why he went so far, and told him that there were plenty of others just as good nearer his home. "They may be as good for others, but not for me," was his reply. "Why not?" she asked. "Because they love a fellow over there," he replied. If only we could make the world believe that we loved them there would be fewer empty churches, and a smaller proportion of our population who never darken a church door. Let love replace duty in our church relations, and the world will soon be evangelized.

If we would be the church you want us to be we would make an impact in this community. We would see you do some amazing things that would change not only our lives but the lives of those that are around us.

Spurgeon

Ecclesia, or church, is not a mob, nor a disorderly gathering rushing together without end or purpose, but a regular assembly of persons called out by grace, and gathered together by the Holy Spirit. Those persons make up the assembly of the living God.

“If we make a full surrender, God will give us something better than we have ever known before. We will get a new vision of Jesus Christ, and will thank God not only in this life but in the life to come.” DL moody

Last thought and we will close in prayer- is it time to make a change in your environment?

Your biggest enemy beside the devil speaking in your ear and your own wrongful thinking is the environment you put yourself into- whatever the Lord has brought you out off, stay away from if it is going to cause you to stumble- unless you want to be influenced back. If you constantly live in an atmosphere of doubt and unbelief, that doubt filled environment will rub off on you. Decide and confess to the Lord that you need to be with people of like minded faith and be in an environment that will draw you closer to the Lord not farther away.

Prayer- Lord I want to stay in an environment that will keep my faith alive and strong. Help me recognize those relationships and places. Give me the wisdom and grace to put down every weight and every sin that would hurt my walk with you. I ask this in the name of Jesus!

Amen.