Be the Church: People, Community & Cause

God’s plan for redeeming the world is through Jesus Christ and His Church – the “called out ones.” It’s why Jesus invited people to follow Him. He taught the disciples, lived life before them, and performed miracles so they would recognize the mission and know the power they would have to change lives.

Now I say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church,
and the powers of hell will not conquer it.
Matthew 16:18

Church. It’s not a building, or a religion, or rules and regulations. It’s people who are passionate about Jesus Christ, love and care for each other, and want to impact society with the message of God’s love and redemption. The Church is people, rescued by God, who now want to help rescue others and usher in the new heaven and earth. It is a movement based on love, and nothing can conquer it.

Three Aspects of the Church:

Discover the Epic Love Story

Describing the church, the bible uses the analogy of a marriage relationship – Jesus as the groom and the Church as His Bride. The relationship, like marriage, is built on love, forgiveness, excitement, and purpose.

When we talk about marriage, two things come to mind:

Not wanting to lose someone. If faced with the possibility of losing someone we love, other situations and problems of life don’t matter.

And once we know the love of God, can we ever do life without Him? What would it be like to not have Jesus in your life – not have a purpose greater than yourself?

Gratefulness. Have you ever had moments when you looked at someone you love and felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude that that person is part of your life? A love relationship.

Have you had times when you think of Jesus and are overwhelmed because your Savior died for you? In that moment, you can’t help but be thankful that He is with you. A love relationship.

But it’s not just about feelings, it’s about mission and purpose.

And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
2Corinthians 5:15

Live Out Community

What does this look like?

So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family.
Ephesians 2:19

The Church (universal):

When we look at the vastness of the Church, we can feel that our part is insignificant,
unnecessary. We would usually prefer to do the “big” things. But imagine the impact
to the world if each one of those billions of people who make up the Church would
touch just one life with the love of God. It would revolutionize the world.

Realize that – as we suffer, or comfort, or love people around us, or worship, or pray –
we do so in concert with the incredible, massive, family of God that is the Church.

The local church.

This is about community. There are so many ministries where all of you give your
time and talents to serve others. We are amazed and grateful for all you do. But community is also organic – those caring things that “just happen” in the church and outside of it – meeting needs because you love God and others – behind the scenes. Acts of kindness that express God’s family at work. It’s the local church – the hope of the world

Get Involved in the Cause

But when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power
and will tell people about me everywhere – in Jerusalem, throughout
Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
Acts 1:8

We were never intended to be a “holy huddle”. We are called to go out in the power of the Holy Spirit and be a church that cares and loves people so deeply that we make an impact way beyond the power of men.

We are the Church – God’s expression and invitation to those beside you,
to your neighbors, and to the world.
It’s God’s powerful, unstoppable plan to revolutionize the world.

Now glory be to God! By His mighty power at work within us, He is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.
Ephesians 3:20

Application Thoughts:

What does “being the church” mean to you, personally, right here at CCC?

What can you do to cultivate a family-like experience for yourself in church?

Are you in a “holy huddle”? Do you know the names of your neighbors? Take a walk this week and meet one or two.

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