Do you have to go to churchto be a Christian?

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” Mt 7:24

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. That person will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit” Jeremiah 17:7,8

What are your foundations like?

“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25

Do you have to go to churchto be a Christian?

“So, you should go to church because that is where you can hear the word of God explained and applied to your life, see how God works in people's lives, and experience the friendship of others.”

Offering of ourselves in worship….

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.” Romans 12:1

logikos = “spiritual” (NIV; NRSV; NASB); “reasonable” (KJV); “true” (TEV); “offered by mind and heart” (REB); “intelligent” (Phillips)

Worship

“Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.” John 4:23,24 “Wherever there are two or more gathered in my name, there am I also” (Matthew 18:20 )

· Naturalists love God best when they are outdoors.· Sensates love God best when all their senses are engaged.· Traditionalists love God best when they are able to stick close to ritual, symbols, and familiarity.· Ascetics love God best in solitude and simplicity.· Activists love God best when they are battling injustice and evil.· Caregivers love God best through caring for those who hurt.· Enthusiasts love God best by experiencing celebration.· Contemplatives love God best through adoration and meditation.· Intellectuals love God best when their mind is fully engaged.

Unity in the body….

“though we are many, we are one body” or “We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other” (NLT)