So many people are afraid of churches. They have heard so many stories or watched so many distorted pictures on television that they want nothing to do with a church, little knowing that it could be the best thing that ever happened to them. The church is not the building or the doctrine or the denominational connection.
Best understood, the church is the people of God. It is an organism, not an organization. It organizes to serve the Lord more practically. It is a group who have met Jesus Christ and he has changed their lives.
They may meet in a building especially constructed for their church-type activities: singing, preaching, teaching. They have organized so they can do things in an orderly manner. They may even have written down some of the beliefs they hold in common.
But all of these things are a result of who they are: the people of God. They have experienced a calling. They have been called out of the ordinary world to follow Jesus. They have been called into a sharing of life together.
Jesus said, “come after me and I will make you to become fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19) And they said “yes”. He also said, “come to me all of you who are carrying any kind of burden and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) And they said “yes”. So the church is people who have said “yes” to Jesus and their lives show the effect.
It is a dangerous message that Jesus gives. It will radically change anyone who hears it and decides to say “yes”.
So, in your community, there must be a safe place where you can listen to this message, assimilate it, and decide if you want to make a radical decision to say “yes”. There is a church group meeting near you. Find it. It is a safe place for you.
“In a world of danger and dangerous people who wish to do us some
kind of harm, it is good to know, Lord, that there is a safe place. Amen”
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