it's what we do

I hear that phrase often.  It comes from the business around the corner that does thing in creative ways and has been very strong during tough times.  Why are they are strong?  It is because they know who they are and what they are to do.  This can be said of some strong families that I know and love.  When tough times come, they get closer.  Even in the storms those families find a way to thrive and not just survive.  How do they get stronger in the storm?  They get stronger because they understand who they are, and they live by what they understand.

The church ought to be the same way.  The Community Fellowship is an expression of my heart because God birthed this in me several years ago.  At the core of what we do is what Jesus did.  Jesus did what He was given to do.  Jesus came to die.  It wasn’t easy, but that is what Jesus did.

The reason why the church ought to love God and love others is because that is what God called us to do.  For The Community this is about giving grace and not judging, helping the hungry and hurting, and winning the ability to share Jesus with those we serve.  That is just what we do.

Sunday we continue our series called I LOVE COMMUNITY, and we will talk about more of our core values.  We will also find our church being stretched and strengthened in some new ways.  Why?  Because it’s what we do.  By knowing who God made us to be and doing what God called us to do we will do whatever it takes because it’s what we do.

When we began and through today, these 2 statements that define us are:

The church is to be most CREATIVE institution on earth because we have the GREATEST message to share. 

We are to get the ATTENTION of our community and while we have their attention, tell them about JESUS.

Jesus is our God and our guide.  He came not to judge the world but to change it.  Jesus changed my life, and He will change others as they meet Him.  We ought to do everything in our power to help people see and meet Jesus.

John 3:16-17 (nlt) 

For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.  God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.

One of the things that we have shared is the fact the being a part of a church, any church, carries more responsibility than most people are willing to deal with.  The church doesn’t exist to the meet the needs of satisfied saints.  The church exists to call sinners to the savior.  The best way to do that is not to beat people up but to love them the way Jesus did.  Why?  It’s what we do.  That is why this is our mission statement:

demonstrating the love of GOD to our community

Not easy, but it is right.  It is our calling.  It is why we are here and what we are about.  The Community is going to grow stronger and even face some hurdles.  Every church will face hurdles, but to get through them we have to do what God called us to do and do it with passion.

Ephesians 4:12 (nlt)

Their responsibility is to equip God's people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.

I believe that the greatest days of the church are ahead of us.  Not behind us.  Get on board.  Find a place where you can serve, plug in and let God work in and through your life.  Do what God has called you to do.