SM180204/How to Go to Church

Harvest messages are brought to you by harvest partners to receive free email daily devotions or to become a harvest partners, please visit us online@harvest.org little boy that was sick. One Sunday.

It happened to be Palm Sunday so we stayed at home with his mom and his dad went to church and came back later in the afternoon any withholding upon Brent and his son said dad what what is that the said sonnets upon branches Palm Sunday at church in Palm Sunday is the day when we remember the fact that Jesus showed up in Jerusalem when Jesus came to town so they gave us all palm branches to take on the little boys at all, just great. The only Sunday I miss in Jesus shows up will hear the good news.

Jesus shows up every time we gather together in his name as the church. We know that for sure because Jesus said when two or more are gathered together in my name, I am there in the midst of them know when we see the church, we don't mean the building. The word church comes from a Greek word necklace see it means called out once and the reality is the church today across the world needs in every imaginable place. Some even cathedrals. Some even converted warehouses. Some median storefronts submetered open fields. Some needs in prison some meat in homes.

The churches everywhere. So when I say the church and I use that word throughout this message I'm talking about a body of believers followers of Jesus Christ. So today I want to talk to you about how to go to church and seems ridiculous and awaken of a no-brainer. What to go to church. I'm here, aren't I I mean you get up in the morning you get dressed, hopefully we would refute that. If you would. This is not a nudist church okay so then you do drive to church.

Review of your kids with you. You drop them off and Sunday school. Your you make your way over to the sanctuary look prissy.

You take your seat to sing a few songs you hear a message you go pick your kids back up again in your car you drive home. You went to church as that is one way to go to church but I suggest you it's not the best way I suggest you we need to really think church or even better, think biblically about let's start here, Jesus started the church and Jesus loves the church. It's important he started the church, Christ only started one organization when he walked this planet and it's called the church of the church.

He said the gates of hell will not prevail against it and Jesus loves the church how do we know that Paul says in Ephesians, husbands, love your wives, as Christ loves the church so we know he loves the church I just have my wife appear and if you want to get on my bad side insult my wife or I because I love my wife in a way, if you want to give the Lord's bad side so to speak, insult his pride. The church I know it's somewhat fashionable or thought of his cool or rebellious or whatever to say all you know I love Jesus I just don't love Christians you know they drive me insane. Won't I note but really, is that a proper statement.

I have a question. How can you love God you can't see and not love his people who you can see first John says we know we have passed from death to light because we love our brothers and anyone who does not love remains in death. Now let me make what might be to some a controversial statement. I don't think it's controversy all I think it's very biblical but to some they may not like it here. It is listen. Not going to church is a proof that something is wrong with you spiritual. I stand by that statement. Not going to church is proof something is wrong with you spritzing all just in a few moments, extenuating circumstances, maybe you're housebound you can't get out. I'll deal with that in a moment but I'm just talking about able-bodied people who are able to be at church if they're not at church. That's an indication something's not right. First John 219 says these people loved our churches because they never really belonged with us.

Otherwise they would've stayed with us when they left us to prove they never belonged with us.

Listen, the church is for every Christian and every Christian should be in church on a regular basis not a radically but every believer should be of vital functioning part of the church, not merely as a spectator, but as a participator you know and I'll take it a step further, not only should you be a part of the church should be a part of the local church know I'm talking to all y'all right now this is our church. If you're attending here.

This should become your church.

Some people like to engage in what we might describe as church shopping in other sort of connoisseurs right so well. I love the worship in this church read I really like the preaching over this other church when I tell you what you can't beat the children's ministry on even another church so on a given Sunday will pop around one Sunday we go to this church next Sunday will go to another third Sunday will go to another and then the fourth Sunday will do what something online and I think that's wonderful.

That's not a good thing not a wife because church is not just a place to attend.

It's a place to participate. You become a part of a family.

It's in the church you find accountability church is a place to develop and use your gifts and you need a pastor and you need a consistent theology. By the way other pastors would agree with me on this statement, they would say yes it if I need someone in our churches. A visitor and I often do say one visiting from another church. All Seo or church you go to mostly you know whatever the church is and generally my responses.

Well I'll be really involved in your church, and maybe I know their pass regular your pastors a great guy were friends and if were friends. I will say that of a normal course now occasionally they'll be someone who's going to church at teachers false teaching.

I would certainly bring that to their attention, but generally pulsate be a vital part of your church. I will not say: come join our church.

Leave your church and come to our church.

Please because that's on some I would ever want to do.

I just want to encourage believers to get plugged in to the church because I think when they don't do that they miss out on so much and they are not able to be a part of what God is doing. My friend James McDonald, who spoke here a while ago I told the story of a person coming up to him and saying all the reasons why they thought his church was awesome in all the reasons why they thought the old church was horrible and as it were talking about a James. As I just I just started look at my watch I just stared at my watch and they said she is the pastor why are you staring at your watch. He said I'm just wondering how long it's going to take into you start criticizing this church the people of the go church or church. All were critical of this were critical of that and you know me will post it online and I will just sort of Benton and you know I wonder what why are you doing that. I mean I think sometimes the problem isn't the church. The problem is you. Every church is flawed. You know why every church is flawed because people like you are in it, people like me were flawed people were perfect people. We fall short. We mess we don't always meet God's standards, but this is God's family, and we need to be an active part of this family.

I know it's dysfunctional but it's still the best family going the church and God wants us all in it.

People say well you on the giver church that meets my needs. It doesn't meet my needs. Oh, K. I.

What point are you going to grow up spiritually and start saying how can I be in a church where I can help them meet the needs of others you know are true Mark a true mark of spiritual maturity is when it stops being all about you and it starts being more about others.

Jesus said the Son of Man did not come to be ministered to but to minister and give his life as a ransom for many. Listen to this. When you begin to serve the Lord and use the gift of God is given you in the church, you will benefit from it all. Sure others will benefit to which you will benefit as well and I'll get into that more next time. My second part of this two-part series, but why does the church exist why did God put us here on this planet.

The church exists for three reasons were here for the exaltation of God, we care for the edification of the saints, and we care for the evangelization of the world. Number one the exaltation of God. The glorification of God secularly building up one another. Thirdly, evangelizing the world a simple way to remember upward in word and outwork. That's what we hear, but yet there is a growing trend of people attending church less, not more. Statistics show that those who used to attend church every week now are attending church three times a month. People who used to shop twice a month are now showing up once a month. Those who come once a month now show up about six times a year.

Now apply that same concept of joining the gym. Let's say that you want to get in shape so you join a gym, and you show up once a week to benefit you. Maybe a little bit not a lot but maybe a little. What if you go two times a week were much better then they start to benefit you three times a week slamdunk or skeptical were capital just stand there right so you know you're involved in active in doing something you know it is going to benefit you for sure now what if you go to the gym once a month will that benefit you know really what about once a year.

No, not at all, and in fact got a lot of Jim Jim's not build a business model on the idea that people will sign up to join the gym, usually right after Christmas. We all gain weight from all those Christmas goodies and though never come back again. The they actually build a business model on that very thing I want to tell you we did a little survey and by the way, when you came in today. You were given a card that you get this card it would to think of a cold culture so wonderful I think so.

I was being sarcastic. Okay, so we have this card, I'd appreciate it if you'd fill it out because this will help us to know a little bit more about you and also will help us ministry more effectively to you. You can also do it online.

You see if there survey.harvest.org and did it several simple questions we you know, we ask you how you been coming here what services you go to, you can see what it is and then fill it out, but we already did a preliminary upholder. We just want to get some more details of all of our campuses.

We want to hear from harvest Riverside harvest Orange County harvest East Vail harvest Woodcrest harvest those logos and harvest on Maui and that way we can discover how we can be more effective ministry to. But here's one thing we found, despite the trend in a decline in church attendance. It's happening across America, 81% of those that come to harvest come four times a month or more, so very good. Kudos to you but don't get a big head about it, but still that's a great thing. Why are people attending church less I read a survey that was done here are reasons. Maybe I put that in quotes reasons that are given well my kids playing on a sports team and that happens on Sundays and sometimes you have to be out of town for that.

Another one while there's more travel people are traveling more taking weekends out of town.

Thirdly, online options otherwise. In other words there watching church at home instead of attending salinities in a word to you guys watching online, I'm looking right at you right now. First of all, God bless you. Welcome to our service and I know some of you watch from around the world because I hear from them. We have people literally watching every imaginable place our services and in some of you attend, harvest, and you're on the road and so this is a way for you to stay connected to your church. I think that's incredible and some of you can't get out of your house for various reasons maybe are housebound maybe you have some kind of disability, whatever that is were really glad but for you able-bodied people that are still in your PJs and you could've come and you didn't come. Just go type type type want to do that one more time for those of you who are able-bodied and didn't come but you could've come.

That's okay that's all I'll say about that. I want you to think about something. Not only is church important for you but it's really important for your children, your laying a foundation for them that will impact them and your grandchildren and potentially your great-grandchildren. The survey was done that found of mother and father attend church regularly, 72% of their children will also attend regularly when there young adults. If only dad attends regularly 55% will remain faithful in church attendance. If only mom attends regularly. Only 15% or remain faithful in attendance not started this on mom. I think it just says we need strong godly male leadership guys step up to the plate, it shows the influence of the father, and I think most mothers would agree with me on that goblet sees mothers that try to do it all on their own.

You know they're there at church today with the kids and dad's home getting ready for the Super Bowl.

Okay, so, but here's the interesting one. If neither mother or father attend regularly. Only 6% or remain faithful to the influence of parents. So don't send your kids to church.

Bring your kids to church. Some say why I get a come on Greg, I'm looking to organized religion. Okay, okay, what are you into that disorganized chaos is organized religion is a false dichotomy. I'm not into organized religion will what you mean by that. There has to be structure in order. God is a God of order establishes the church. He establishes absolutes we live by.

Establishes leadership affect the Bible even says let everything be done decently and in order so this am not an organized religion. I don't think of this is organized religion. This is a place we can encounter God as his people and we follow a clear biblical template that all identifier for you in just a moment, but this is why I can commune with God when I'm surfing or golfing or hiking or doing whatever I just did all this talk to God. There was hope you will. You should talk to God everywhere you go. And that's a good thing to do but don't do that in the place of the church listen, you need the church and the church needs you is a God says. Hebrews 1024 let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, is the manner of some is so this isn't a 21st-century problem only. It was even happening in the first century, but rather we should be exhorting one another, and so much more. As we see the day approaching what day the day of the Lord.

In other words, because Christ is coming back. We should be gathering together as his people more modern translation puts it this way.

Let's see how inventive we can be an encouraging love and helping out, not of not avoiding worship together, as some do, but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big day approaching. But some people treat church like it's a movie theater and know they have the new trend in theaters as you get these reclining seats ribbon ornaments burning nice actually promise I get an OC to fall asleep. So, becomes a very expensive nap. Actually, my wife and I go to a movie which is not all that often, but when we do go, you know, we like to get popcorn and milk… I think Wright's sweet and savory and I honestly admit to you I smuggle water into the theater.

I just bring what I don't hide it like you, but I you know it's in my back pocket in so we walk in and out with my smuggled water and and so you know maybe were like nosy Kathy were getting in the theater that the movie started so safe I have to get popcorn milk that does a look at the line she because I have to get it so recurring and so I'm I'm in the seat and here goes a trailers attribute are done. Here's the movie it's starting needs. Here's the title here's the music they're establishing the holes you know foundation of the story.

Now the movie Kathy finally shows up and then she sits down and she's like looking at the popcorn. I like stop looking at the popcorn look at the screen. You can ask me five minutes later who she God to look this for three this stuff am I the only one here, who did the screen.

Kathy, I paid money for this thing you're looking at. And you know so we can be that way would church we get there lay out what you know it's this the warm up his own choosing.

Worship is the warm-up act.

These folks these very gifted and skilled musicians are here leading us in prayer. Set the song.

These people are helping us to glorify God. That's one of the reasons the church exists there worship leaders that probably don't call them rockstar. They are rock stars know the rock stars because Hans says that to me every time I see him or subgenre rockstar. Yet whatever okay no, you know, sir, I'm joking.

He doesn't say that he says I'm the greatest rock stars just know he doesn't say that either. But these folks are arguably the source of why would you be late for that message starts. We need to engage we need to connect.

We need to participate. I mean, think about how important the church is the church is an oasis of hope in a desert of hopelessness were not perfect but where the best family going for sure you know when the Lord called our son Christopher home to heaven. Unexpectedly, almost 10 years ago now.

It was on a Thursday that he died and it was the worst moment of our life and we still miss him so much but having said that Brown there Saturday rolled around like what we do well for the church. It was even an option. We have to go to church is I really want to go to church. I really need to hear the word of God. I really need to worship God. I really need to encounter God.

So we showed up here and people said to me oh you're such an inspirational.

I'm glad it was an inspiration. But that's not why I came. Sorry I came because I needed the church I needed what the church provides and we all need it. Think of the role the church is played in your life. Over the years how significant it's been when you lose a loved one you go to the church for help when you lose a grandparent or parent or spouse or even the child you go to the church any of the hospital will help you a bit. They want to get that bed clear for the next person is going to come into the funeral home will help you they want to make some sales to be very honest with you, they don't really care that much about you, but you come to the church were here to minister to you were here to comfort you were here to help you when your spouse walked out and you were did you turn bobbing of the church, probably to fellow Christians.

When you are having problems with your kids wanted to go. Many came to the church. I'm having problems with my kids and by the way when your kids get into those preteen years and definitely those teen years, you're going to need the church.

More than ever. You really are and we have an amazing we have an amazing youth ministry here for every age every eight and and bought tell you what would we have a problem with the preteen and animals in the way you are to say that youth pastor can make all the difference in the world is a look at that person under closer in age to them they say. While there: my dad's lame right, but the youth pastors telling them the same thing you're telling them it's just a different voice speaking another life taken literally change the course of your kids life and what you don't bring them the church, because why exactly are your too busy all you have some else you want to do weights of the chickens come home to roost. Don't wait till then lay the foundation for them now bring them to church.

As I said earlier. And what about when you needed direction in life. How many times have you sat in this church and heard the word of God the son may be me or someone else is speaking. I don't know. It doesn't really matter but conscious book to your heart.

He spoke to your heart and that was the word you needed that was the clarification you needed from important you find your mate a good chance you found them in church.

I fell my wife and church she just a young girl, I just a young boy to and I was preaching and ice are not. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't scoping out checks from the inner that 60s vernacular for looking for girls right I was a single guy and I noticed her. She was with her two sisters, Mary and Dodi. They went everywhere together. Together, Mary, Dodi and Kathy is just like the just joined together three people did. Every three people so receiving three of them in, and I noticed some and I noticed Kathy, she had like a little like coming down from heaven and I said want to meet the girls. I walked up high and I talk toward hey would you guys like the got out church and will get a bike T-shirt, so all three of them. We went out together and then the next Sunday, would like to go out afterwards and get something yes and all three of them came in and the third time he said he Kathy would like to go out and get some of their church you let me call my sisters don't cover sisters metering shirt. What a great place to find that person, every so many things happen. Where did you find Jesus Christ good chance you came to faith and church.

It all happens here. This is where people a lot of times develop musical abilities to you want so singing competitions like the voice or American Idol and others and when they do a little background on the person competing so often they grew up singing in the church that night there in the choir. There were a worship leader. You know it and that's so typical. I actually found out in the church.

I had no musical abilities. The suspect during the Jesus movement and Christian bands reforming like every day, it seemed, and so I was a little Bible study without some other Christian friends and one of the guys there was a very talented singer-songwriter need to.

Lord, give me a new song plays this amazing song and was another guy there. His name was Ricky was a flautist.

That's what you call it flautist is playing the splint because plane is guitar thunder little rhythm on the on the coffee table you know and they said let's start a band. They came up with a name for the band and then went down to Calvary Chapel and went up to Chuck Smith and said Chuck were eventually played and I just said all right then you can go ahead and play. If you'd like to know I was an affectionate imitation. By the way so we can up there we we have a name were in a band. There is guys playing the guitar. The other guys playing the flute and I have a conga drum. I don't know how this happened is because I couldn't stop a coffee table around my neck so I'm trying to keep rhythm on a conga drum that I realized I can't do this and I realize I am not called to do this ever again will get into this more next time, but sometimes one of the best ways to find out which are called to do was first by finding out which are not called to do so when people come itself to be in ministry.

My responses volunteer for everything.

Best place to get training for ministry. Guess where it is the seminary church this the best place right here.

Just volunteer maybe are not gifted here you not gifted, they're not gifted for other places that there is a connection that's how you develop your gifts right here. Not only is it a spiritual blessing to be in church it even good for you physically. Time magazine did an interesting cover story about the physical benefits of faith and the church. Now these are a result of medical studies. Here's what they came up with number one heart surgery patients who draw comfort from their faith. Have a significantly higher survival rate than those that do not an amazing the blood pressure of people who attend church is lower than those who don't. People with faith and attend church regularly experience less depression than nonchurch attenders. Finally, suicide is four times higher among non-churchgoers then churchgoer so it's good for you spiritually. It's good for you physically. It's called the church I want to look at acts chapter 2, by the way, that was my introduction to little Long Island bit, but I would look at acts chapter 2 with you for a few moments and will deal with a little bit of it and the reason want to look at this is this is the first century church member. Jesus started the church, and so this is very close to what he wanted and were going to see a lot of important principles affect. These are sort of foundational scriptures for our church that we of function by ever since our beginning while over 40 years ago. Here's what the early church did asked to verse 42 and they continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and and prayers then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done to the apostles. Now all who believed were together and had all things in common and they sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, is everyone at knee so continuing daily. Notice the word daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they eat their bread with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people and the Lord added to the church daily those who were being say stop there. So this is the church that turned its world upside down.

No social media. Thomas did not tweet.

Peter did not have a Facebook page called and have a TV show. Matthew wasn't on the radio know they did this all word of mouth. They change their world. How did they do it. I've summed it up in a simple acronym WELL well well W they were worshiping church E they were an evangelistic church all number one, they were a learning church all number two.

They were a loving church well worshiping evangelizing learning and loving you want to be a well Christian bill worshiping Christian PIN evangelizing Christian bill learning Christian bill loving Christian you want to be healthy in the church do the same thing.

Here's the thing. Let's start with point number one they were worshiping church. Verse 47 praising God and having favor with all the people of the Lord added to the church daily those that were being saved. Listen to this when you come together with God's people, something wonderful happened because were told in Psalm 22, three, he inhabits the praises of his people know that God is omnipresent, which means he is present everywhere at the same time, but he manifest his presence. He reveals himself in a special and unique way will we gathered together for worship and Bible study. Make no mistake about that. So when you unplug from that you're missing out on a significant thing that God wants to do in your life and when you worship God, you're doing what God created you to do, from Genesis to Revelation. Our faith is one of worship and in heaven were going to sing. Revelation 15 says this is a glimpse into heaven. It says I saw what looked like a sea of glass mixed with fire and, standing beside the sea were those who had been victorious over the antichrist and they held harps and they sing the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb, singing great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty just and true are your ways, King of the ages you worship organ to be doing it in heaven. So get in practice now, but sometimes it so I don't feel like worshiping today. You know I'm not in the mood to worship today we here's a biblical response.

Hebrews 1315 by him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is the fruit of our lives, giving thanks to his name to think sacrifice of praise fruit of your lips.

Number one. Sometimes praise is a sacrifice I don't feel like worshiping Lord under the mood. Who cares if you're in the mood, God still worthy of your praises me to give him the sacrifice of praise number two fruit of your lips does that mean verbalize what I like to believe express myself, you know, with the motion, you know, I will scream like a maniac during the Super Bowl game but in church I just like to stand there and do nothing. That's my form of worship.

Is it God says over this are good fights appraised energy as you lift your hands, it urges you to look your voice you should verbalize it. You know you could say it's true of marriage you love your wife on the last time you told her what I told her on the day I married her like change my mind.

I'll let her know you really that stupid. Yes I think she'd appreciate it if you visit honey, I love you your beautiful day. That's a great outfit, which I picked out for you know not why she did the same for the husband.

I appreciate you. Thank you for all that you do verbalize it. The Lord wants to hear you verbalize your praise quotas and God know I love them. Yes what he says he wants to hear you proclaim it. So the Bible tells us also give thanks in the Lord for he is good and his mercy endures forever. Doesn't to give thanks to the Lord. When you feel good lesson of this. Did you know that your worship is a witness worship as a witness. Look at verse 47 they were praising God and having favor with all the people in the Lord added to the church daily those that were being saved. There is a definite connection there. When nonbelievers see believers give praise to God when things are hard. It's a powerful testimony you're being watched everywhere you go you will know your Christian. And so the locality of the Christian treats his wife Alexi would kinda like the single Christian lives here. Oh let's see how hard the Christian works. Let's see what kind of a student. This Christian is. Oh let's see how this Christian drives. Oh, you're being watched and really honestly nonbelievers don't probably want you to succeed. They want you to fail so they can pull out their favorite word all look at that they won 1 mile over the speed limit corrects height within you mess with their narrative when you give praise to God, and you live a godly life. And when you can rejoice, even when things are bad all you know if all the bills are paid and the kids are healthy and everything's great, wonderful, but all of a sudden they find out you know the wife got cancer or the husband got laid off from the job and you're still serving God you are still faithfully going to go well. None of the story of when Paul and Silas were thrown into a Roman dungeon for preaching the gospel the jailer with them, put them in stocks only read at midnight Paul and Silas began to sing praises to God. It's interesting because it says in the other prisoners were listening in that phrase listening can be translated listening with pleasure then heard many concerts in that hellhole and what happens in earthquake comes everyone could've run to their freedom, but they stayed there and the jailer was about to kill himself. I posted don't kill yourself while still here and that man said sir, what must I do to be saved. What set the stage. It was there worship you know when I was on non-Christian. There were Christians of my high school campus in they had meetings on the front lawn affect all my friends warmly great stairway from the Jesus freaks and actually said yet is if Greg Laurie would ever become a Jesus freak. Famous last words right. One day I went to their meeting. No one invited me.

I started a distance. Roy could kind of watch them and judge them and decide whether were all crazy and the problem is, as I look at their faces I saw something I didn't have what were they doing their worshiping God so you know your worship is a testimony he can do it even if you don't feel like it you don't think Job have problems with his family died in his possessions were gone and his health with it yet. We read in Job 121, he fell to the ground anywhere except Deb said the Lord gave me what I had in the Lord is taking it away.

Blessed be the name of the Lord see worshiping God with other Christians helps put things in perspective. So I come to church today with a burden some of your burdens right now. Something truly troubling you. Something big is happening to you and you don't know what to do. So what is the Bible say magnify the Lord with me and let us exalt his name together doesn't say magnify your problem when you magnify the Lord and see him in all of his glory, you can see your problem in its proper perspective.

Worship can make all of the difference. As we gather together with God's people and see things accurately, biblically and correctly know when you isolate yourself from other believers you lose perspective you can become fearful and confused and angry and bitter.

The gold skeptical Thomas were after Jesus rose from the dead didn't join the other Christians for their little worship service.

He was very disillusioned. They saw him afterwards and said hey Tom should've been there yet what happened. Jesus showed up.

That's implied the original Greek react.

She said no, he that that's not love Jesus showed up right all believe that says Thomas likable my hand and the wound in his side and touched the holes in his hands to mix them together together because it was there. Thomas and guess who showed up again. Jesus, he always does with his people And Jesus today Thomas go for. He says oh my Lord my God. But here's my point. He missed out when he was separated from other believers.

He received so much more.

When he joined with them.

Asaph was grappling with the age-old question, why do the wicked prosper but he got perspective. While he worship with God's people in God's house and he wrote in Psalm 7316. When I tried to understand all of this, it was oppressive to me till I entered the sanctuary of the Lord and I understood their final destiny. So the point is I didn't understand why things are the way they are.

What I gathered together for worship. I found perspective of there's a lot more to say get to that next time.

But I want to just say we should be a part of the church. Why should we be a part of the church because it is here we hear the word of God is here, we worship the Lord. It is here we receive untold spiritual benefits and sometimes even physical benefits. It's here that we encounter God heard about 100-year-old man that was celebrating his birthday at church. It actually attended that church ever since he been a little boy so they threw a big party forum big cake. Lots of cards ice cream and then they solicit one of the sanctuary and so everyone one in and is a great grandson got up to the microphone. He turned it up really loud, so his great-grandfather could hear and he said great grandpa.

We know you can barely hear or see. But tell us why do you still go to church every Sunday and great grandpa said because I love Jesus with all my heart and he commanded me to be here. Then he paused for a moment and then said they just want to show everybody whose side I'm on. I like that that's good. Whose side are you on your on the Lord side because you're here today and I applaud you for that and I hope you be here all the times we gather because you receive so much from it but not everyone is on the Lord side.

People don't know the Lord at all. So this is the family of God. And here's the great thing about our family. You can join our family is a how will you have to be born into it all. You mean like raised in the church my life. No need to be born again. Jesus said unless you're born again, you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. What you mean by born again, you might ask. Funny thing, someone asked Jesus that 2000 years ago what you mean born again, what is that even mean and Jesus said to that guy's name was Nicodemus.

He said the wind blows were wills you don't know where it's coming from.

You don't know where it's going. So is everyone who is born of the spirit.

And so Jesus was basically saying look, it's a work of the Holy Spirit. Okay, I don't even know what that means, comes down to this. Would you like your sins forgiven. Would you like to know that you will go to heaven when you die. Would you like your guilt removed and would you like to join the family of God is a yes I would. Then you say Lord I know I'm a sinner and I pray for spiritual rebirth of my life right now that doesn't take years. It doesn't take months. It doesn't take weeks.

It doesn't even take hours. It can happen in an instant, for you right now and will give a closing prayer, to extend an invitation for you to believe in Jesus. If you don't yet have you then join the family of God join our family. Let's pray father, thank you for your word to us and now I pray for any that have joined us who may not yet know you help the Lord to see that the words we shared our true they are. The gospel truth and I prefer every anyone hear anyone watching, listening, wherever they might be. If they don't know you yet Lord, help them to come to you and believe we pray them a heads up their eyes are closed or praying.

If you would like Jesus Christ to forgive you of your sin. If you would like to know that you will go to heaven when you die if you would like to join God's family one or two just pray this prayer that all the join. Right now, just pray this prayer with me just pray Lord Jesus, I know I'm a sinner but I know you're the Savior who died on the cross from Meissen.

I turned from that sin. Now I choose to follow you from this moment forward as my Savior and my Lord Jesus name I pray, amen. Hey, welcome to the family of God