What's the big deal about church?
THE FAMILY OF GOD
So what’s the big deal about church anyway? Church is boring, predictable, a place that makes you feel bad, it is filled with hypocrites. That’s what some might say.
The Grace Place Austin exists to destroy that kind of thinking about church. A faith community that keeps the main thing the main thing…JESUS! Loving God and Loving People.
What you should understand about church…
THREE UNDERSTANDINGS YOU NEED TO HAVE
1. God formed you for family
2. God’s family is the church
3. God wants you to belong to the family
5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. (Eph. 1:5,6)
I am writing these things to you now. 15 Then, even if I am delayed, you will know how to live in the family of God. That family is the church of the living God, the support and foundation of the truth. (I Tim. 3:15,16 New Century Version)
Taking the next step…
When it comes to belonging to a “faith community” or church, a number of people have pressed the “pause” button
Why? The reasons vary, but often, if we are honest, it is a condition known as “spiritual apathy”. A dangerous condition that can result in a great deal of heartache. We are in a very real spiritual battle on a daily basis. The enemy of our soul is playing for keeps.
10 The thief’s purpose is to steal, kill and destroy. (Jn. 10:10 LB)
Satan is real and your destruction is his constant mission. He hates God and you are the object of God’s eternal affection that makes you a big target. God has provided the church (family of God) a community where we can be encouraged and supported. More than a location on a map or a beautiful building the church is made up of God’s family and empowered by His Holy Spirit. There is real power in this faith community!
You need to belong to a church family…
We need each other. As much as this church needs you, you need the people God has placed here to help you grow, be encouraged and receive sound and Godly counsel.
21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. (Eph. 2:21,22 NIV)
As we come together to Worship Jesus and we unite in the vision He gives us for our local community our City is transformed: broken marriages repaired, the hungry are fed, the hurting are healed, the lost are found. Jesus is not an answer HE IS THE ANSWER! When you join His family and mission the darkness gets lit up!
Alan Kirkpatrick/Sr. Pastor
Grace Place Austin
Office: 512-990-5000
Cell: 512-709-3336
Love God. Love people.