Sermon preached on Sunday, January 22, 2011 at Garden Valley Chapel; Selected Scripture.

I want to return to our look at the great subject of church - specifically to the call us to a greater love and commitment for the Church of the living God (1 Tim 3:15).

Q: Why do you think every believer is called to be passionately committed to a specific local church?
A: The local church is the key to spiritual health and growth for a believer. That is why it is so important that we teach on this topic.

It is not about what your parents want for your life. It is not what your pastor wants for your life. It is what God wants for your life.

Believe me when I say that there are profound blessings that come with living a life committed to the church.

More importantly, a life committed to the church is what pleases the Lord.

*It pleases the Lord to see His children love what He loves. Christ loves the church, so much that He died for her. We read in Eph. 5:25-27 -

25 ... Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her,

[This is the only time in the NT where it specifically mentions Christ´s love for the church, the believers collectively. Cf. Eph 5:2 - "Christ loved us"]

26 so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,
27 that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.

What comfort and anticipation it is to know that the church will be exactly what God intents it to be - glorious. That is going to happen.

Today I want to continue to take you through the Scriptures and provide the biblical rationale why commitment to the local church is a part of God´s plan for your life.

We will cover three points this morning and cover the remaining two the next Lord´s Day.

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