BIG IDEA
With church: celebrate the global and commit to a local.
MESSAGE NOTES:
WHAT:
The heartbeat behind this series is for you to know and have assurance that you being here each week is worth it, relevant, and a great use of your time.
The church is God’s family.
Church is a gathering.
If you only see church for what we do on Sunday, you may miss out on fully "getting it" and getting more out of it.
Adoption is one of the metaphors used in the Bible to explain how Christians are brought into the family of God.
Here’s what Galatians 4 says,
God sent him [Jesus] to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir. Galatians 4:5-7 NLT
This whole thing, life here on earth, why we were created is because God wanted us to be a part of his family.
What is this heir thing? What are you inheriting as God’s family? You're inheriting forever life with God.
The church is God’s forever family.
The church will outlast anything else, every other business, organization, or club. Church, being a part of God’s family, is the only thing that will last forever.
SO WHAT:
When you believe in Jesus, you don’t just go to church, you are a part of the church.
This is really important because you could be a member of God’s forever family and not go to church. And you could go to church but not actually be a part of the forever family yet. Believing in Jesus brings you adoption into the really large family. Going to a local church is where you find your family that lives here.
But here’s why we come on Sundays:
Our family helps each other follow Jesus.
Our church family helps us follow Jesus.
Your family helps you follow Jesus and you help your family follow Jesus. Fun is part of it. Friendships are part of it. All of it sparks youth experiencing real life in Jesus.
With church: celebrate the global and commit to a local.
NOW WHAT:
Find ways to love and support your entire family. And make the time to know and be known by your local family. We need to be slower to dismiss our family members and slower to nitpick our family gatherings. So my challenge is simple. Be here as often as you can be.
Sometimes it may be out of your control. But whenever it is within your control or influence, make it clear that this is a priority for you.