Grant County Church of Christ

January 11, 2009

But He's not only MY Father; He's OUR Father. And Christ is not just MY Savior; He's OUR Savior. Jesus said that when two or three are gathered together in His name, He is there (Matthew 18:20). And God has warned me not to forsake gathering with other believers (Hebrews 10:25).
              I need the church because I'm a part of a family. I have lots to learn, and I need to have a retreat. I know what my priorities are. I respect Christ's death and am overjoyed by His resurrection. I want to spend time with my Father and other believers.
THAT'S WHY I NEED THE CHURCH!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------NEGATIVISM
"Too expensive!" "It won't work" "It can't be done!" "Been tried and failed!" "We shouldn't try it!" "It's foolish!" There is really no place in the Christian life for NEGATIVISM, yet this is a persistent attitude of many. It constantly talks down the great work of God. It is a prophet of gloom, doom, and boom! It says nothing that is useful or beneficial, no , not gospel meetings, Bible classes, personal work, visiting the sick, supporting preachers in foreign fields, printing bulletins, supporting benevolent works, etc. Every thing proposed is a waste of time, effort, and especially MONEY! That's the most important! Negativism is not realistic, but MATERIALISTIC! NEGATIVISM is an elephant in the road to progress; a millstone around the neck of usefulness; a cancer on the mind of its advocate, and an ice pack on the fervor of the faithful. It sees the THORNS on the rose bush, but never the ROSES on the thorn bush. Its' parent is little faith, its' child is discouragement, its' grandchild is cantankerousness, and its' first cousin is stubbornness.
How we need a more positive attitude in the work of the Lord!! An attitude that "GOES FORWARD" despite hardships and even set-backs.an attitude that says: "I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me!"
Let us be reminded that the power of "POSITIVE THINKING" comes through the power of "CHRIST THINKING". "If then you were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth." (Col. 3:1-2)
There can be the "accomplishment of greater works" in our generation when we allow the Spirit of God to control our thinking.
What We Need In The Church Today
by Leroy Brownlow

More knocking on doors and less knocking on each other.
The great commission demands that we busy ourselves in taking the gospel to others (Mark 16:15). The Bible says, "Speak not evil one of another" (James 4:11). It is so much better to be busy doing good rather than evil.

More sound heads and fewer sour heads .
Perhaps there has never been a time in the history of the church in which we have had a greater need for men sound in the faith and wise in judgment. Sometimes the voice of the wise goes unheeded and the voice of the foolish takes over (1 Kings 12:6-8).

More open hearts and fewer open mouths.
All conduct proceeds from the heart. Prejudice closes the heart to a true consideration of the facts. If the heart was made right before the mouth was opened, most
church problems locally and universally would cease to exist (James 3:5- 6; Proverbs 26:20).

More seed-slinging and less mud-slinging .
The task of sowing the seed of the kingdom is so great that it should leave no time for the slinging of mud at a brother. The fact that we have the whole world as our foes should draw us closer together (Proverbs 18:24). There should be no division in the Lord's camp (1 Corinthians 1:10). One can never whitewash himself by slinging mud at another. He who tries gets his own hands dirty.

More sacrifice of self and less sacrifice of others.
There are plenty of members of the church who are willing to sacrifice the other fellow - his talent, his time, his money, and even perhaps his reputation. Sacrifice should begin at home (Luke 9:23).

More concern over direction than speed.
This is the jet and missile age. Speed is being enthroned and multitudes bow before it. But in the Lord's work,
the greater question is not "How fast are we traveling?" but rather, "Which way are we going?" (John 14:6; Matthew 7:13-14). All speed is not progress. On the other hand, neither is standing still.

More faithful attendance and less criticism about our worship services to God.
Many people go to worship services seeking to be entertained or moved. Our motive for going to worship should be to glorify God by our assembling to pray, sing, remember Christ's sacrifice, give to support the kingdom and those in need, and hear a message from God through the preaching of His word. (Hebrews 10:24-25).

More thinking about what we can do for others and less about what others are doing for us.
I am always amazed at the number of Christians who seek to be served rather than seeking to serve. Christ gave us the example of service and sacrifice (Phil. 2:8). Some ask, "What is the church doing for me?" Others ask, "What can I do for the kingdom of God?" (Matt. 6:33)

WHY DO I NEED THE CHURCH?
           "Why can't I worship God in the comfort of my home, enjoying the best preaching and music TV has to offer?" "Why can't I just enjoy being alone out in the woods - just God and me and the pine trees?" "Why can't I meet God at the water's edge, wiggling my toes in the warm sand surrounded by thousands of sun-worshippers?"

DO I REALLY NEED THE CHURCH? WHY?
              I need the church because it's a FAMILY REUNION. Jesus said, "Who is My family? Those who do My will." (Mark 3:33,35) We are a family-rejoicing with one another, crying with one another, helping each other. We need each other's support.
              I need the church because it's a CLASSROOM. I'm preparing for a mission. I'm on an extended course of study. For the rest of my life I'm enrolled in a course of Christian discipleship. Each week builds on the one before.
              I need the church because it's a REFUGE. The church is a place to get away from the busyness of the world. It's a mini-retreat. It's a place to focus my thoughts on things above, to worship.
              I need the church because it's like a BILLBOARD. As my neighbors see me go down to that building on the week after week, they can tell what is important in my life. If all my brothers and sisters are there too, the neighbors may wonder what is going on that attracts people so regularly.
              I need the church because it's a MEMORIAL SERVICE. Imagine that I had been in a war and one of my buddies threw himself on an enemy hand grenade to save me-and it killed him. Suppose I learned there was to be a memorial service for him in my hometown. Would I be there? Of course!
              And since Jesus died for me, it's to honor Him that I attend His memorial service. It's to honor Him that I remember His death by observing the Lord's supper.
I need the church because it's a VICTORY CELEBRATION. Jesus left an empty tomb. We can celebrate His resurrection together. At least one day a week should be set aside for remembering Jesus' triumph over death and Satan.
              Finally, I need the church because it's a TIME TO SPEND WITH MY FATHER. I'm a child of God. As my Father, He's not cold and aloof. He delights in spending time with me, and I want to be with Him. God wants to reveal His plans to me. And I want to get in on the details, to cooperate with Him.