Sermon preached on Sunday, January 8, 2011 at Garden Valley Chapel; Selected Scripture.

Anyone that knows me knows that I have profound love for the church - "the church of God" (cf. Acts 20:28; 1 Cor. 1:2).

I could never imagine divorcing myself from the church. I have come to love the church so - so much so that I cannot see my life outside the church.

This was not always the case. I use to have a disdain for the church because it only taught me the do´s and don´ts - when to stand up/to sit down, when to say something/ not to say something, and when to ring a bell.

That was not the "church of God" because I knew not of the good news of salvation in Christ. It was when I first heard the Gospel of Christ that I truly responded in faith and my life has never been the same.

I then began a love affair with Christ and His bride - the church.

For it is in the church that I became a follower of Christ and was baptized. It was in the church that I was discipled/tutored to follow after Christ. It was in the church that the Lord called me to His service.

And so I love the church and am committed to her and I want to see it be all that God wants it to be.

It is for this reason that I want to address the importance of having and developing a love and commitment for the church.

Can I be so bold so as to try to persuade you to a love and commitment for the church?

Join us for this three-part study that endeavors to call believers for a love and commitment for the church.