God Created the Church to Be a Family

 

Current Teaching Series God's Vision for the Rest of Your Life

God Created the Church to Be a Family By Rick Warren — September 22, 2018 "Christ makes us one body and individuals who are connected to each other" (Romans 12:5 GW). The church not only helps you center on God, it also helps you connect with other believers. God did not put you here to live an isolated life. While you're here on Earth, God wants you to learn to love other people, and he wants you to practice loving others in his family. The Bible says, "Christ makes us one body and individuals who are connected to each other" (Romans 12:5 GW). There's a connection once you become a child of God; you become a brother or sister. What is this body? "The body we're talking about is Christ's body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn't amount to much" (Romans 12:5 The Message). Your spiritual life does not amount to anything if it's disconnected from the family of God. If I cut off my finger, it's not only going to stop growing, it's also not going to live. It has to be connected to the body. In the same way, we need each other in the body of Christ if we want to grow spiritually and fulfill God's purpose for our lives. The California Department of Mental Health once did a study and discovered that if you isolate yourself from others and don't develop close friendships like in a small group, you are three times more likely to die an early death. You're four times more likely to suffer emotional burnout. You're five times more likely to be clinically depressed. And you're 10 times more likely to be hospitalized for an emotional or mental disorder. So for your own mental health, get in a small group! Be a part of the family of God. Get connected. "You are members of God's very own family . . . and you belong in God's household with every other Christian" (Ephesians 2:19 TLB).PLAY today's audio teaching from Pastor Rick >> Talk About It What are some of the challenges you face in following God's plan for you to practice loving other believers here on Earth? How does your meaning change once you view yourself as part of the body of Christ? How have you grown spiritually since becoming connected to the body of Christ?

Our Gift: The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? God wants you to live your life in the way he designed it to be lived. He wants you to know what works best in your relationships, at work, with your health—and how to maintain peace and balance in your life. This valuable resource can help you: • Understand how much God loves you • Believe that God wants you to succeed • Embrace the meaning and purpose of your life • Prepare you for eternity LEARN MORE

Complete Audio Series (Purchase) Includes 6 full-length teaching CDs from Pastor Rick's series God's Vision for the Rest of Your Life. LEARN MORE

Series Summary Session 1: Choosing Your Future Session 2: Learning to Live Wisely Session 3: Embracing the Vision (The Purpose Driven Life) Session 4: Why You Need a Church Family Session 5: Enabling the Vision (Purpose Driven Giving Session 6: How to Get Ready to be Used by God PLAY TODAY'S BROADCAST

Pastor Rick Warren

Enjoy today's Devotional? Listen instantly to the full radio message at Daily Hope Radio. Did someone forward this devotional to you? Subscribe to Pastor Rick Warren's Daily Devotional. This devotional is based on the current Daily Hope radio series at pastorrick.com. Rick Warren has helped people live with hope and on purpose for more than 40 years. He's the founding pastor of Saddleback Church in Southern California and author of several books, including The Purpose Driven Church and The Purpose Driven Life, which has been translated into 137 languages and sold more than 50 million copies in all formats. He created the PEACE Plan (plant churches of reconciliation, equip servant leaders, assist the poor, care for the sick, educate the next generation), which is used by churches in 196 countries. His radio teaching and daily devotional, Daily Hope, is offered around the world. This devotional © 2017 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission. You can unsubscribe at any time by changing your e-mail preferences. Update your preferences | Unsubscribe

 

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