Real Life - Fellowship

What this episode covers

Nothing on earth has greater potential to change lives and carry out His kingdom work in your community, than your local church.There’s nothing like the local church when it’s working right. Its beauty is indescribable. Its power is breathtaking. Its potential is unlimited. No other organization on earth is like the church. Nothing even comes close.BILL HYBELBeing disconnected from the local church, for whatever reason, is a dangerous way to live. Not only do these “ lone rangers” miss out on the blessings of functioning within the context of the body of Christ, but like lone sheep away from the safety of the flock and the watchful care of the shepherd, they are vulnerable to predators of every sort.NANCY LEIGH DEMOSSHusbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her…EPHESIANS 5:25JESUS GAVE HIMSELF UP FOR A CONNECTED FAMILYGOD’S PRESENCE 8 “Have the people of Israel build me a holy sanctuary so I can live among them.EXODUS 25:2215-16 Moses said, “If your presence doesn’t take the lead here, call this trip off right now. How else will it be known that you’re with me in this, with me and your people? Are you traveling with us or not? How else will we know that we’re special, I and your people, among all other people on this planet Earth?”EXODUS 33:15-16GOD’S POWER 18 Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed[f] in heaven. 19 Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”MATTHEW 18:18-20 The righteous flourish like the palm tree    and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.13 They are planted in the house of the Lord;    they flourish in the courts of our God.PSALM 92:12-13 GOD’S PEOPLE25-26 The way God designed our bodies is a model for understanding our lives together as a church: every part dependent on every other part, the parts we mention and the parts we don’t, the parts we see and the parts we don’t. If one part hurts, every other part is involved in the hurt, and in the healing. If one part flourishes, every other part enters into the exuberance.2 CORINTHIANS 12:12-26 (MSG)26 Well, my brothers and sisters, let’s summarize. When you meet together, one will sing, another will teach, another will tell some special revelation God has given, one will speak in tongues, and another will interpret what is said. But everything that is done must strengthen all of you.2 CORINTHIANS 14:26JUST BEING CONNECT TO THE BODY OF CHRIST ISN’T ENOUGH. Some people think of the church as a pyramid, with the pastor at the top. Others think of the church as a bus driven by the pastor, who takes his passive passengers where they should go. God wants us to see the church as a body, where every part does its share.DAVID GUZIKSedentary: (of a person) tending to spend much time seated; somewhat inactiveTHE BODY WAS DESIGNED TO BE ACTIVEI AM MEANT TO BE AN ACTIVE PART IN FELLOWSHIP

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