JUN 3-7 | The Local Church 3
Psalm 27:4 (NIV): "One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple."
David expresses the longing to dwell in God’s presence, seeking God in his temple tells the importance of belonging to a Spirit-filled church and community.
Some facets of the church are obvious, people can be welcoming, loving and expressive. Others are subtle and felt over time, spiritual nourishment and being challenged by the word of God included. There are many benefits to belonging to a Spirit-filled church, but here are just three:
A Place of Acceptance: In Romans 15:7 (NIV), we are reminded to "Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you." The local church is a place where we can come as we are, without fear of judgment or rejection. Here, we find a community of believers who embrace us with open arms, regardless of our past mistakes or shortcomings.
A Sanctuary of Encouragement: Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV) exhorts us to "spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another." In the local church, we find encouragement and support from fellow believers who walk alongside us in our journey of faith. It is a place where we can share our burdens, celebrate our victories, and lift each other up in prayer.
A Refuge of Spiritual Nourishment: Psalm 23:2 (NIV) describes God as our shepherd who leads us to "green pastures" and "quiet waters." Similarly, the local church is a place where our souls find nourishment and refreshment through the preaching of God's Word, the celebration of the sacraments, and the fellowship of believers. Here, we are fed spiritually and equipped to face the challenges of life with courage and faith.
No matter what reasons we go to church for, it’s important to remember that God’s presence can be found anywhere and especially among imperfect people.