Acts 2:42-47 – 42 They spent their time in learning from the apostles, taking part in the fellowship, and sharing in the fellowship meals and the prayers. 43 Many miracles and wonders were being done through the apostles, and everyone was filled with awe. 44 All the believers continued together in close fellowship and shared their belongings with one another. 45 They would sell their property and possessions, and distribute the money among all, according to what each one needed. 46 Day after day they met as a group in the Temple, and they had their meals together in their homes, eating with glad and humble hearts, 47 praising God, and enjoying the good will of all the people. And every day the Lord added to their group those who were being saved. (Good News Translation)

Reasons to Love Your Church

We come together to equip each other through teaching, mentoring, and coaching

Ephesians 4:7, 11-12 – 7 However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ. . . . 11 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. (New Living Translation)

We come together to encourage one another in fellowship

Romans 14:19 – So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up. (New Living Translation)

Romans 15:2 – Instead, we should all please our brothers and sisters for their own good, in order to build them up in the faith. (Good News Translation)

Ephesians 4:29 – When you talk, do not say harmful things, but say what people need – words that will help others become stronger. Then what you say will do good to those who listen to you. (New Century Version)

Hebrews 10:24-25 – 24 And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, . . . (New Revised Standard Version)

We come together to encounter God in prayer

Isaiah 59:1-2 – 1 Don’t think that the Lord is too weak to save you or too deaf to hear your call for help! 2 It is because of your sins that he doesn’t hear you. It is your sins that separate you from God when you try to worship him. (Good News Translation)

Psalm 66:18 – If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. (New Living Translation)

James 5:16 – . . . The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with. (The Message)

We come together to ____________ one another through ministry and service

1 Peter 4:10 – God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. (New Living Translation)

Mark 10:45 – For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many. (New Revised Standard Version)

We come together to ____________ God in worship

Genesis 1:1 – In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (New Living Translation)

Revelation 4:11 – You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased. (New Living Translation)

Revelation 5:9 – And they sang a new song with these words: “You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals and open it. For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. (New Living Translation)

We come together to ________________________ people we know through the proclamation of the Word

John 4:34-35 – 34 Then Jesus explained: “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God who sent me, and from finishing his work. 35 Do you think the work of harvesting will not begin until the summer ends four months from now? Look around you! Vast fields of human souls are ripening all around us, and are ready now for [harvesting].” (The Living Bible)