1. Relate

2. This is a mate of mine – also a pastor in a church – what are the things that we can do we develop our relationship?

4. 1. Read what God has written

5. 2. Talk to God

6. 3. Be with God’s friends

7. Book: They like Jesus but not the church

8. And another one: Saving Jesus from the Church: How to stop worshipping Christ and Following Jesus.

9. Someone posted this image on the internet: More God (less church)

10. Gandhi said: “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians
Gandhi said: “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”

11. I don’t understand everything that is done in the name of Church – but I know that I cannot give up on the church if I am into Jesus.

12. And yes, there are too many different kinds of church – but I still can’t give up on the church!

13. When you follow Jesus, you automatically follow along with others
When you follow Jesus, you automatically follow along with others! It is kinda like a package deal - they are inseparable.

14. Welcome to Church!

15. Is this a good picture of the church
Is this a good picture of the church? (It is a picture of a nice looking suburban church building)

16. Here is a better picture of the church - it is from the book of Acts 2:42-47: They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:42-47)

17. If we look closely at just this passage in the New Testament we can discover that the church was made up of people who did the following:
1. Study God’s Word
2. Fellowship
3. Break Bread
4. Pray
5. Perform signs and wonders
6. Practise unity
7. Share possessions
8. Meet needs
9. Eat together in homes
10. Worship
11. Experience favour
12. Grow through evangelism

18. So What? Here are three ways that you can be with God’s people:

19. 1. Join one! I saw this signboard advertising a church that says: This is a ch _ _ ch, but something is missing... UR!

20. 2. Do some “One Anothering” – these are dozens of commands in the New Testament that contain the phrase One Another - here are a few examples:
* Greet one another with a holy kiss
* Serve one another
* Be kind to one another
* Forgive one another
* Teach one another
* Encourage one another
* Spur one another to good deeds
* Confess your sins to one another
* Pray for one another

21. 3. Find and use your spiritual gifts – each of us have a unique spiritual gift that is needed in the body of Christ. If we don’t use our special gift then the body will not function properly.

22. So be the church! Even this weekly gathering could be considered a church - so gather regularly, do some one anothering and use your gifts to help each other grow to spiritual maturity.

23. Next week we will explore the next way to grow our relationship with God: Do what pleases God!