To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be his holy people, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 1:2-3 NIV
The local church is a big deal to God. Sure, there is a universal Church (all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ), but there is also a church in your locale which is an integral part of His plan. He has a plan for the world, for your community, for your local church, and for you. Notice what Paul tells us:
- The local church belongs to Him. (The church of God in …) He bought it with blood, (Acts 20:28)
- The local church is sanctified in Christ. That means we are set apart for His use. We belong to Him, and He has a specific mission for us. (Hebrews 10:10)
- The local church is called by God. We have a mission and a message. We are the people of God. (1 Peter 2:9-10)
- Our local assembly has a part in a much larger plan. We are an outlet for the Truth in our community. You can’t rep it if you don’t know it. (1 Timothy 3:15)
It’s time to gather with the other saints, hear the message He has for us, and get equipped to fulfill our mission. You can’t do this alone, and you’re not supposed to. It’s a big deal.
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