Tuesday - "The Purpose"

Acts 2:42 "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."

This weekend, Pastor Scott told us that "The church is not all about me." If that is true (and it is...), who is the church for?

Simply put, the church exists to help those outside its walls. Its mission is to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ into the world and share it with those that don't know Him. It isn't programs, or meetings, or even the color of the building... it is about serving God's purposes. How have so many forgotten that?

The church, as described in the book of Acts, was a small group of Christ-followers who met together (usually in secret) to study scripture, pray for each other, and share common victories and challenges. These early believers poured into each others lives unselfishly...always looking for a way to put others first.

Its so easy to get critical and picky in today's churches. We see programs that we don't like...music that's too loud or a different style than we prefer...a pastoral teaching that is too challenging to our lifestyle...and so much else. Are we missing the main purpose of why church exists? Let's really pray about that this morning... have we been too selfish in the church? Have we forgotten why we are connected to other believers and to our community? Have we made church about us?

If so...let's make the turn...this world CAN be reached by the church...it just takes all of us putting others first to make it happen.

See you tomorrow,
Pastor Brian