| The Church: Where We Learn to Love |
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| By Rick Warren — Sep 12, 2015 |
“I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.” (Matthew 16:18b NLT, second edition)
Only the Church will last forever.
Nothing else is going to last. No business is going to last forever. No government is going to last forever. No nation is going to last forever. Only the Church is going to last forever.
Jesus said in Matthew 16:18, “I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it” (NLT, second edition). The Church is the most magnificent idea God or any human being ever thought up.
The entire universe was created for God’s family. What’s God’s family called? The Church.
The Church is not a building. The Church is the family of God. God wanted a family, so he decided to create the entire universe just so he could create Earth just so he could create human beings just so we could have the free choice to choose or reject him. He knew that some of us would choose to love him back, and he’s going to take us to Heaven to be part of his family forever.
What does this mean for you if you are already in God’s family? It means that since we’re all going to live together forever, we better learn to get along. While you’re here on Earth, you must love the family of God.
It’s not enough just to love God. You must love the Church. You want to know how much God loves the church? He died for it. Anybody who says, “I love Jesus, but I don’t need the Church” doesn’t get it. That person is an immature believer. A lot of people use the Church but don’t love it.
Do you love the Church? Or do you just use the Church? Christ died for it. You must learn to love every believer in the Body of Christ.
PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick>>
Talk It Over
- What are some ways that people use the Church?
- How do you love the unlovable people even in the Church? What do you need to change about yourself so that you can love others well?
- What are some practical steps you can take to show love to the Church?
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| Today’s Scripture |
“...I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live...”
(Deuteronomy 30:19, NASB) |
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| Choose Blessing |
God desires that you live in blessing in every area of your life. He’s given promises in His Word and established a plan for you to live in total victory. He promises to give you the answers, but you have to be the one to decide to obey His voice. You have the final choice, so choose life and blessing!
Every time you choose to obey the Word of God, you are choosing blessing. When you put God first in your life; when you walk in love toward others even when it’s difficult, you are choosing blessing. When you turn away from ungodly influences and when you give to others, God will pour out His blessing on you in return. Start today and do what you know to do. Obey His Word, and His blessing will overtake you! You’ll rise higher and higher and live the abundant life He has for you.
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| A Prayer for Today |
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“Father in heaven, today I choose life. I choose blessing by obeying Your Word. Keep me close to You so that I can honor You in all that I say and do in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
PS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtcBURtm5Aw |
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