Read Acts 2:42-47

When I think of church, I think of _________________.

-Vacation Bible School with Mr. Steve and Mr. Randy.

-My Grace Group, past and present. 

-Years of Kalahari and Mission Trips. 

-Serving.

-Life change.

Now it’s your turn to fill in the blank. When you think of church, you think of _________________.

Whether your initial memories and feelings about church are positive or negative, there is probably something that comes to your mind when presented with the topic. The Bible is so clear that church is more than a building, feeling or experience – rather it is actually a movement. It’s a body. It’s not just talking about a church, but THE Church. 

Here’s what we know… the Church is for God, for us, and for the world (Acts 2:42-47). 

For God (v47) – The Church was created by God to glorify Him and to make His name known to the multitudes. It is the Church which brings God the greatest glory and that happens through our worship to Him in everything we do. When we are faithful in serving Him, He is also faithful to the promises that He has made to us and uses our lives to bring more people to Himself. 

For Us (v42-46) – The Church is a movement of people who have been saved by grace, through faith. It is a body of believers who have many personalities, passions, and gifts (1 Corinthians 12) that all have ONE mission – to share the gospel in whatever way they have been designed. This body of believers exists to encourage one another, to work together, and to live in community with each other.

For the World (v47) – Finally the Church exists for the world. Jesus declared that the Son of Man came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). We are here to do the same, to serve and love others so that they might see the hope found in only Jesus and be saved! The Church did whatever they had to do to share the Good News of Jesus and because they were servant-minded, the Church grew! 

Now let’s step back and look at your life… 

Do you often remember that your life exists to glorify God? Does your circle of community include going to church, being involved with a Grace Group of other believers, and using the gifts you’ve been given to expand God’s Kingdom? Are you living servant-minded with the lost people around you? If the answer to any of those is ‘no’ then today is the day to make a change! Head to woostergrace.org to get plugged in and jump in to all that the Church was created to be!

Becca Harbaugh