What are the thoughts that come into your head when you think about your HOUSE? I hope the first might be safety? Maybe you associate your house with unconditional acceptance? What about identity? Do you feel like your house is a good example of who you are?

Most people spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on their house. Some people move around quite a bit into different houses and living spaces, never really finding the “perfect home” they are looking for. Some people let their house fall apart while others spend countless hours cleaning, painting, planting and decorating their place.

Which one are you? Does the word “HOUSE” plant images in your head that you are proud of or images that you would rather not see?

God has created a “HOUSE” for us that we should all be proud of. It’s called the CHURCH. His idea of a house is one of love, acceptance, belonging and safety. The Church should be a place of refuge where everyone is welcome to be apart of. Just like our natural “house”, the church is a place when we can learn and enjoy life together. It’s a place where truly great relationships are formed and lifelong goals are established.

I can honestly say that the Church has become my HOUSE. I love to be there. All my major relationships have been birth out of the local church, including when I met my wife LeeAnn in youth group. To this day, I have long standing relationships with people that I grew up with in church. I can’t imagine not having those relationships and those experiences that I had in the local church.

That is God’s plan. Since the time Jesus had sent out the disciples, God has been working to build the local church as a place for people to come and learn more about His love and forgiveness for us. The early church experienced some tremendous things and even today, that same power is here for us as well.

This Sunday I will be starting a 2 part series entitled “THE HOUSE”. We will examine what God intended the Church to be and how important it is that we are part of the body of Christ. Did you know that the Church needs you? Did you know that there is a place that can provide for all your needs if you let it? Did you know that the local Church can be more than just a Sunday morning event but it can literally change your life for the good?

I can personally witness to this and I’m looking forward to sharing with you this Sunday @ SouthView!