Invitation to Visit a “Church Family” Near You
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	What is a Christian church? Many people define a church as the building where the people meet. Jenkins has a beautiful building facility, but that isn’t what makes up a church. In the years immediately following the resurrection of Christ, for example, the early church met in the homes of its members. So if not a building, what makes up a church? Some people define a church by the senior pastor of the church. Jenkins is blessed to have Larry Guin, a compassionate and gifted teacher and pastor. But as much as we love Brother Larry, he doesn’t make up the church, and he isn’t even “head” of Jenkins Church. If not the pastor, what makes up a church? Some people think that a church is a collection of ritualistic practices. This table of “sacraments” is used in observing the Lord’s Supper as instructed by Jesus in Luke 22:19-20: And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me." 20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. (from New International Version) But as important as such practices are in the church, that certainly isn’t what makes up the church. In fact, during Jesus’ ministry on earth, He admonished the religious leaders of that day when they followed ritualistic practices while failing to open their hearts to God. So if the church is not made up of ritualistic practices, then what makes up a church? Some people think that the church is a place of entertainment. They come in hopes of hearing great music and an entertaining speaker. At Jenkins, you will certainly find beautiful presentations by the Jenkins choir and interesting sermons from the pulpit, but their purpose is to draw the people into worship and praise, and to bring glory to God - not to entertain. So if a church is not a place of entertainment, what is the church? Some people think the church is simply an organization, like any other organization. Webster’s dictionary defines organization as “any unified group or systematized whole; esp., a body of persons organized for some purpose, as a club, union, etc.” Certainly, the church is a type of organization, but it is unlike any other, because the church is built by God, not by man. In Matt 16:18, Jesus said “…on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” (from New International Version) How does Jesus build His church? In John 6:44, Jesus tells us "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him…” (from New International Version). God Himself, draws people to Jesus and His church. The apostle Paul gives us a insightful definition of the church in 1 Cor 12:27 when he refers to the church as the “body of Christ” and explains that each believer is a member of that body. Just as the members of our physical body (hand, foot, eye, and so forth) have their unique functions within the body, God gives believers unique jobs within the Body of Christ (the church). It is thrilling that God relates to each of us on that kind of personal level - giving us such a wonderful sense of purpose as He does His work through us! So the church is a “body of believers (Christians)”. But what exactly is a “Christian” and how do you become one? Let’s pause in our discussion of what a church is, to address that very important question. Billy Graham has summarized the Bible’s teaching about that in 4 steps: 1. RECOGNIZE GOD’S PLAN – PEACE AND LIFE God loves you and wants you to experience His peace and life. The BIBLE says… “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 2. REALIZE OUR PROBLEM - SEPARATION People choose to disobey God and go their own way. This results in separation from God. The BIBLE says… “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23 3. RESPOND TO GOD’S REMEDY – THE CROSS God sent His Son to bridge the gap. Christ did this by paying the penalty for our sins when He died on the cross and rose from the grave. The BIBLE says… “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 4. RECEIVE CHRIST – AS LORD AND SAVIOR You cross the bridge into God’s family when you prayerfully ask Christ to come into your life. The BIBLE says… “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” John 1:12 HOW TO RECEIVE CHRIST 1. Admit your need (I am a sinner). 2. Be willing to turn from your sins (repent). 3. Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the cross and rose from the grave. 4. Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ to come in and control your life through the Holy Spirit (receive Him as Lord and Savior). PRAYER OF COMMITMENT Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe that You died for my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I now invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as Lord and Savior. In Jesus’ name. Amen. Perhaps you received Christ just now or perhaps you accepted Him long ago. Perhaps you aren’t sure but you want to learn more. God wants to continually draw you to Him and His peace and love, and the best place to find or grow in your relationship with God, and to receive love and encouragement and teaching, is in a local church near you. The Bible instructs us: Heb 10:25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (from New International Version) We will close this discussion of the church by looking at the term “Church Family”. The Bible teaches that we are brothers and sisters in Christ. Because of Jesus, we can even approach the creator of the universe as “Abba, Father”. The Bible teaches that we are co-heirs with Christ and that heaven is waiting for us. That all adds up to a joy-filled family! You won’t find solemn “religious” types at Jenkins. You will find a church family with the fullness of love and the abundance of life that only Christ can provide. We invite you to visit with our Church family or any of the other fine churches in our area. Jenkins is located just south of Nolensville at the corner of Nolensville Road and York Road.