The Basis of Real Comfort
We should be prayerfully confident that God will orchestrate and apply comfort to our hearts as we draw near to him and each other in the midst of difficult times.
Fellowship
Glimpses of the Goal
We must understand our profound connection with each other because of our union with Christ.
Church Attendance
The Bible is very clear about God’s expectation regarding “church attendance” – to use our modern terminology. Christ commissioned the establishment of churches, the Holy Spirit inscribed instructions about how they operate, and God requires that our…
Rightly Depending on Our Comrades
Active, strategic, and frequent encouragement among Christians is biblically essential and should be the priority for all of us.
When It Sorts Out Relationships
All of our connections, relationships, and friendships must be evaluated, strengthened, distanced, or dissolved based on the Lordship of Christ.
Valuing & Prioritizing Our Church Family
There are profound and desperately needed Christian benefits that come from being highly committed, selfless participants in your church family.
Isolation
There is too much spiritual danger inherent in Christians choosing to be isolated. The New Testament model shows us Christians who are interested and involved in each other’s lives. Paul shared his joys and victories, as well as his hurts and struggles…
Cornelius: The Life Changing Message
God is at work preparing people for their engagement with his gospel message which we should always be ready to deliver with conviction, hope, and expectation.
Cornelius: Family & Friends
Our conversion to Christ and our subsequent work of sharing the gospel ought to impact and involve a network of friends and family members.
The Privilege of Church
We should joyfully and wholeheartedly engage with the Christians in our church as God’s sacred instrument to safeguard and strengthen our loyalty to Christ in our deteriorating culture.
Saul: A New Family
We must see the importance of being a highly-committed and fully-invested participant of a healthy (albeit imperfect) church knowing it is an indispensable part of the Christian life.
Faith and Fellowship
Fellowship with other Christians is more important than most realize. Even having the strength of an on-fire Apostle, Paul knew the importance of connecting with those who shared his commitment to Christ. He longed for time with other Christians. He saw the…
Enjoying God’s Growing Family
When the church is functioning as it ought, it serves as a strengthening and emboldening oasis for us as we venture out each day to point people to Christ in our anti-Christian culture.
Fruit of the Spirit: Peace
God wants to provide, produce, and promote peace in the most important arenas of your life, as you diligently seek it, pray for it, and pursue it.
The Unrivaled Fellowship of His Church
Even with all its current imperfections, Christ’s Church is a unique institution which provides God’s people with unrivaled fellowship, support, protection, joy, and love.
The Life-Changing Message of His Church
We have the great privilege of being the agents of God’s powerful saving gospel which convicts hearts, transforms minds, and integrates people into the life of the Church.
Fearless
We must resolve to be fearless as we utilize God’s resources of prayer, worship, and fellowship, entrusting ourselves to God’s care and provision.
Adopting His Regal Priorities
We ought to supremely value God’s truth the way Christ did – promoting it, obeying it, and prioritizing fellowship with those who do the same.
Loving God's Flawed People
We must remember that our friends’ sanctification is flawed, just like our own, and so we must continue to graciously forgive them when they sin and be wholeheartedly restored to them when they repent.
Providing Godly Encouragement to Your Friends
We have a God-given responsibility to care for our Christian friends in the church, by humbly being used by God to encourage them as they follow Christ.
Patience & Forgiveness
Because for now our Christian friendships will be periodically marked by insensitive actions and sinful transgressions, we must for Christ’s sake resolve ahead of time to reflect God’s patience and forgiveness.
Kindness & Encouragement
Out of sincere love for our Christian friends we ought to regularly engage in strategic acts of kindness that benefit their lives, and communicate thoughtful words of encouragement that build them up.
Acceptance & Hospitality
Because we are made in God’s image we all were designed to be openly sharing our lives with a select group of friends who are pursuing the same spiritual goals.
What the Church Can Do For You
Your church is committed to providing you with the leadership, teaching, oversight, and environment to enhance, foster, and protect your spiritual life.
The Fear of Broken Relationships
While one day all pain and problems will be behind us, for now we must draw strength from God’s family as we endure the sting of strained and fractured relationships that are inevitable because of our alliance with Christ.
Looking to the Future
Healthy and productive churches must be resolute about living out God’s truth without compromise despite the threats or opposition from a hostile culture.
Your Fraternity of Hearers
As Christ modeled in his own life, we must highly value and consistently invest in friendships with those who continue to demonstrate their commitment to obeying God’s word.
Church Life as it Ought to Be
God designed and directed all Christians to faithfully attend church, participate in a small group, and engage in some kind of ministry that is beneficial to the church.
Dealing With The Discouragers
During the present age we must always be vigilant and courageous enough to break fellowship with any who obstinately and selfishly undermine the unity of the church.
The Encouragement of a Unified Church
We all need the strength and support that is derived from being a part of a church that values the nature, function and limits of Christian unity.