When a church begins to feel more like an extended family than just a non-profit organization it becomes a magnet to people looking for a real connection to God and a healthy connection to people.
In fact, the Bible uses FAMILY language to describe this type of community
[Ephesians 2:19]
“So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family.”
“Church isn’t a service you attend. It’s a family where you belong.”
[Acts 2:23-24]
“But God knew what would happen, and his prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed. With the help of lawless Gentiles, you nailed him to a cross and killed him. But God released him from the horrors of death and raised him back to life, for death could not keep him in its grip.”
[Acts 2:36-38]
“So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah. Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what should we do?’ Peter replied, ‘Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
[Acts 2:41]
“Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day – about 3,000 in all.”
Not everyone is a child of God.
[John 1:12-13]
“But to all who believed him and received him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn – not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.”
Now what? We live as brothers and sisters in a screwed up world, looking for the opportunity to help the people we care about become a part of God’s family also.
[Romans 12:9]
“Don’t just pretend to love others. REALLY love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.”
LOVE OTHERS LIKE JESUS LOVES YOU