A few weeks ago, I had a conversation with a friend regarding the church. It was a common discussion where the person said they were a Christian but the church had hurt them and they stopped attending because of it. Now I can understand being angry with a person or leader of a church, I can even understand if people were upset with the rules of the church but to stop attending because they have an issue with a person is a bit of a stretch in my mind. You see, the church is full of people who are fallible and prone to messing up. Jesus came to allow us all to be on the same footing even though we are, none of us, saints. When the girl in the square was being chastised by the masses by the “clean” members of society, Jesus knelt down, declared “those who are without sin, cast the first stone” and the “righteous” slinked off into the shadows. Here is the key to this, there is not a single one of us who has not caused angst to another but in Christ, we are all family who need to stick together, support each other and forgive as we have been forgiven. It seems simple but it is rather more difficult especially when God is not a part of it.
I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe Him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. Now He is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made Him head over all things for the benefit of the church. And the church is His body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with Himself. Eph 1:19-23 NLT
We are the church, the holy gathering, and we all look to the great I AM for the hope, love and forgiveness. None of us is perfect, none of us is above the other but we are all made complete by the agape love of Jesus. If a person of the church hurts you, spend some extra time and effort to love on them, forgive them and stay in relationship with them because we are only complete when the family is all together.
We invite you to gather with us at 10:30 a.m. to explore His love and His message for our hearts. The service will be broadcast online (see links below), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.
Blessing,
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Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”
