"I love my church!"
Time, Talent, Treasure
Growing in your belief that you belong
Take time to communicate forgiveness
feel loved by the people
Are you using your talents within the body because you belong here?
Are you using your treasure joyfully to help others belong?
love the environment
have a sense of purpose and power
Conclusion
Identify with Christ
The Gospel makes you belong
Where forgiveness is more important than performance or acceptance
In the same group as Abraham, Moses, David and Paul
Ephesians 4:1-3, Colossians 3:11-13
Matthew 18:21ff.
Sitting on thrones, ruling and reigning
Wearing white robes
Forgiveness communicates that you belong unconditionally. Lack of forgiveness destroys belonging.
Called saints
But do you believe it? The church is designed for you to start believing it and living it.
Where Christ is more important than tradition or status
Colossians 2:9-13, Ephesians 1:3-7
"We've always done it this way..." doesn't communicate belonging
2 Corinthians 5:16-17
Luke 15
The church exists to help people who aren't here yet feel like they belong because that's what Jesus did and what he created the church to do.