PATH of PURPOSE // week 1

PATH of PURPOSE

YOU WERE CREATED TO BE LOVED BY GOD.  

YOU HAVE BEEN CALLED TO NOT JUST BE LOVED; YOU’VE BEEN CALLED TO BELONG.  

God is the one who made all things, and all things are for his glory.  He wanted to have many children share in his glory.  Hebrews 2:10

God formed me for his family.

His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:5 - 7 

God’s family is called the church.

I am writing to you… so you will know how to live in the family of God.  That family is the church of the living God, the support and foundation of the truth.    1 Timothy 3:15

I’m called to belong to his church.

So now you are no longer visitors or strangers.  Now you are citizens together with God’s holy people.  You belong to God’s family.   Ephesians 2:19 

 FIVE BENEFITS OF BELONGING TO THE CHURCH

The church is called the family, the temple, a body, a flock, and a garden.

In God’s family, I learn my true identity.

You are members of God’s very own family… and you belong in God’s household with every other Christian.   Ephesians 2:19

Those who believed what Peter had said were baptized and added to the church about three thousand that day.   Acts 2:41 

The church is like a temple.

Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and his Spirit lives in you?     1 Corinthians 3:16

In God’s temple, I’m supported by others.  

In Christ the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.  And in him, you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.     Ephesians 2:21 - 22 

The church is a body.

Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.   

1 Corinthians 12:27  

In Christ’s body, I discover my unique value.  

Just as there are many parts to our bodies, so it is with Christ’s body.  We are all parts of it, and it takes every one of us to make it complete, for we each have different work to do.  We belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others. Romans 12:4 - 5 

The church in the Bible is a flock.

God made us and we are his.  We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.  Psalm 100:3 

Because the Lord is my shepherd, I have everything that I need!  He lets me rest in meadow grass and he leads me beside quiet streams.  He gives me new strength.  He helps me to do what honors him the most.  Even when I’m walking through the dark valley of death I won’t be afraid, for you are close beside me, guarding, guiding all the way.  You provide delicious food for me in the presence of my enemies. You welcome me as your guest; blessings overflow!  Your goodness and unfailing kindness shall be with me all my life, and afterwards I will live with you forever in your home.    Psalm 23

I am the good shepherd.  And the good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep. No one will ever be able to snatch my sheep out of my hand. 

John 10:11

In God’s flock, I’m protected and I’m cared for.   

The church is called a garden.  

I am the vine. And you are the branches.    John 15:1

In God’s garden, my life becomes productive.  

A branch cannot bear fruit if it’s severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful apart from me Jesus says.  I am the vine and you are the branches.  Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit.But apart from me you can do nothing.  John 15:4 - 5 

Why should you remain disconnected when a church like this has so much to offer?