If People Knew What I'd Done,

in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

List of excuses

“Church is for good people, and I won’t really fit in.”

“Church is for believers, and I have some doubts.”

“Church is for families, and I’m from a broken home.”

“Church is for people with good habits, and I’ve got some bad ones.”

“Church is for people who grew up in Sunday school; my parents didn’t take me.”

“Church is for respectable people, and I’ve messed up my life.”

“Church is for married couples, and I’m single.”

The truth is there is no typical church member.

No one will check your spiritual ID at the door on Sunday. There are no 2-page, extensive forms to fill out on your first visit; no references are required; no background checks to check us out. We all had to start where we were on our journey to heaven. Some came from farther in the far country than others, but we all had the smell of the pigpen on us

GOD WANTS TO MAKE SOMETHING OF YOU, AND THE CHURCH IS HIS WORKSHOP.

Ephesians 2:10 ESV

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Jesus Disciples

God offers us the same grace—identical mercy, forgiveness, compassion, and opportunity. There is no sin too bad, no deed too awful, no thought too embarrassing to be forgiven.

We don’t condemn - we show there’s a much better way

Ephesians 2:4 ESV

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,

JESUS IS YOUR FRIEND, AND CHURCH IS WHERE HE MEETS HIS FRIENDS

John 15:14 ESV

You are my friends if you do what I command you.

Look at the great things Christ offers his friends

Romans 5:10 ESV

For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.

Romans 8:16 ESV

The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

Culture says that the church must change with the times, tone down talk about sin, and make no demands for life change.

Just focus on God’s love and do not mention sin, we are told.

The world sees only two responses to sinners: either love them and accept their lifestyle as is, or disagree with them and thereby judge them and hate them.

either was Jesus’ response—He loved sinners while maintaining holy expectations.

1 John 1:7 ESV

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

1 Corinthians 6:9–11 ESV

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

THE HOLY SPIRIT WANTS TO COMFORT YOU, AND THE CHURCH IS HIS HABITATION

Romans 8:26–27 ESV

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

Isaiah 1:18 ESV

“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.

The Philippian Jailer

Church at Corinth

THE DEVIL IS AGAINST YOU, AND CHURCH IS THE SAFEST PLACE FOR YOU

Satan wants to distract and delay

Matthew 13:19–22 ESV

When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.