A DEFINITION OF SANCTUARY: a sacred building where fugitives were formerly entitled to immunity from arrest or execution; a place of refuge; asylum Often as a Pastor, I hear anti-church personalities berate the effectiveness of the church in current society. They feel it is their place to promote a spirit of anti-churchism. They dont believe in church - they despise church. They feel that the church is only concerned with being inside her walls - singing, praising God, preaching and doing Church stuff rather than being concerned with societys issues. Truly, Jesus Himself tells His Church to go out into all the world... be externally focused in proclaiming the good news (Gospel) of Jesus Christ. It is interesting that even when society wont listen and take heed to the Churchs GOOD NEWS message, they still criticize the Church for not coming out to tell them. BREAKING NEWS: It is equally important to keep in mind that CHURCH comes from a Greek term, EKKLESIA which means Called Out Ones. There is an element of separation that Christs expects His church to have on this earth. We are to be in the world, but not of the world as we go into the world. I want to encourage a thought: Perhaps its time like never before for people to return to the Inner Sanctum aspects of the church. The devil is trying to execute you - your family and everything you care about. Like a fugitive, you are running for your lives everyday just trying to survive and keep from being destroyed by many factors. Isnt it interesting that many churches call their main place of assembly a SANCTUARY - One definition of SANCTUARY is mentioned above. Given the craziness of our times, we need to return to a place of refuge. There is something to be said for SOCIETY COMING IN just as much as the SAINTS GO OUT. Families need to be planted in a Christ-centered Bible believing church that belongs to Christ. The structure - discipline - expectations - encouragement - fellowship - acceptance - warmth of a GENUINE CHRIST-FOLLOWING BIBLE BELIEVING Church can instill lasting hope, peace and joy for every family. In its truest sense, THE BUILDING ITSELF may be a sanctuary, but more importantly, it is the PEOPLE that are the sanctuary. Families need support that only the Body of Christ, the Church can do. To have Christ without His Church is like having a head decapitated from its body. Both are essential in bringing abundant living into this earth. Regardless of human sinfulness that impacts most peoples views of the church, the Church Christ knows still works. If your life is crazy - if you see our community as going crazy - if you are tired of the violence, crime, murder, etc. and you need a place to find moments of reassurance, love, peace, dont just go to any church - but rather be planted in a Christ-following, forgiving, truth-talking congregation of imperfect people serving a perfect Savior. At Christs Church For Our Community, we strive to be just that kind of family. The Pastor is not perfect and neither are the members. That is why all of our focus is on Christ - not ourselves. We keep things simple and keep the main thing the main thing. At CCFOC, it is just fine to cry if you are hurting - laugh if you are joyful. You dont have to dress up, but it is also just fine if you chose to dress up. Our members only give offerings to the Lord out of obedience to Christ - not because the Pastor makes them feel embarrassed to give. If you are looking for SANCTUARY - REFUGE - HOPE - SALVATION - HELP - STRENGTH - LOVE, and anything Christ wants you to have, come find it at His place. God bless you and we hope to see you soon. If not our Church, find some church - find SANCTUARY for your life and the lives of those you love.
Posted on: Sun, 30 Mar 2014 03:13:13 +0000