Strong churches are built with strong people. But they exist for those who are weak.
Most of us have no problem identifying one of the major problems in our lives. All we have to do is look in our mirrors. But the problem goes much deeper than the image we see or the ones we portray to others.
Much of our time seems to be spent on trying to find a place where we fit, a place where we feel comfortable. We want to be part of something more than we can ever be on our own. We want to belong. We long to be applauded, even acclaimed, for our gifts and talents. But we want more than that.
We’re not content with being liked for what we do. We want to be loved for who we are.
Unfortunately, today too many people feel excluded by the church, rather than included in it. The church—that vast cross-cultural, diverse group of people, not a collection of buildings—isn’t intended to either isolate or insulate us from the world. The good news of God’s love isn’t meant to immunize us against temptation, but rather to inoculate us against sin.
Will we sin after God forgives us? Of course we will; we’re human. And when we do, we need fellowship with fellow strugglers. We need to know we’re not alone and that God isn’t mad at us. Likewise, others need to hear from us that we’ve been where they are, that God helped us, and that he doesn’t love us more—or less—than he loves them.
This is one of the primary reasons we belong in church: We need one another. And I can’t think of a better place to be than where I’m needed most.
Want to learn more? Visit http://praisechapelkingman.podblaze.com to hear a sermon by Senior Pastor Howard Pennington or any of our pastors or guest speakers.
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