| Home | About CoG | Calendar | Newsletter | Kids Kommunity | Nu Generation | |Links | Map | 

 (Handy online Bible search, will open in a new window.)

To order an audio tape of the sermon: Please send $3.00 to Community of Grace 832 State Street Elkhorn, NE 68022

Questions about the sermon? Ask away.

You are called to belong, not just believe!

Even in the perfect, sinless environment of Eden, God said, "It is not good for man to be alone."

• You are created for community.

• You are fashioned for fellowship.

• You are formed for family.

None of us can fulfill God’s purposes by ourselves.

Whether you believe or not... you cannot do it alone!

The Bible says that we are put together, joined together, built together, members together, heirs together, fitted together, and held together!

You are not on your own or alone EVER!

While your relationship to Christ is personal, God never intends it to be private!

In God’s family you are connected with every other believer and we will belong to each other for eternity!

The Bible says, "In Christ we who are many form one body and each member belongs to all the others."

Following Christ includes belonging, not just believe.

• The church is a body, NOT a building!

• The church is an organism, NOT a organization!

• For the organs of your body to fulfill their purpose, they must be connected to your body.

• The same is true for you as a part of Christ's Body.

You were created for a specific role, but you will miss this second purpose of your life if you’re not attached to a LIVING, local church.

You discover your role in life through your relationships with others!

The Bible tells us, "Each part gets it meaning from the body as a whole, not the other way around. The body we’re talking about is Christ’s body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of His body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn’t amount to much, would we?" Romans 12:4-5 (Msg.)

Think about what happens to an organ when it is severed from the body:

• Without the body, it will shrivel and die.

• It cannot exist on its own.

• And neither can you!

• Disconnected and cut off from the lifeblood of a local body, your spiritual life will whither and eventually cease to exist!

The first symptom of spiritual decline is usually inconsistent attendance at worship services and other gatherings.

Six reasons why you need a church family:

1. A church family identifies you as a genuine believer.

Jesus said, "Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples." John 13:35 (NLT)

2. A church family moves you out of self-centered isolation.

"If one part of the body suffers, all the other parts suffer with it. Or if one part of our body is honored, all the other parts share its’ honor." I Corinthians 12:26 (NCV)

3. A church family helps you develop spiritual muscle.

"As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love." Ephesians 4:16b (NLT)

4. The Body of Christ needs you.

"A spiritual gift is given to each of us as a means of helping the entire church." I Corinthians 12:7 (NLT)

5. You will share in Christ’s mission in the world.

Paul tells us, "He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join Him in the work He does, the good work He has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing." Ephesians 2:10 (Msg.)

6. A church family will help keep you from backsliding.

James tells us, "If you know people who have wandered off from God’s truth, don’t write them off. God after them. Get them back." James 5:19 (Msg.)

Through His Son, the Father chose to provide a family for you!

What choice have you made?

What choice will you make?

He has chosen you!