Runnymede Christian Fellowship, a church in Egham

Week 25 (18/06/2007)  Making a difference with a gift

The first-century church had the reputation of "turning the world upside-down" with Christ's message. It was a place for devoted fellowship and valuable instruction, and it serves today as our model. God wants the church, also called in Scripture "the body of Christ", to stand out and be His light in these ever-darkening days. Any Christian who wants to please God and make a positive impact for Christ must become part of a local church.

Christ designed the church to provide us with tremendous blessing and opportunity. Involvement in the local church is necessary for our spiritual growth, and it is something we will never outgrow. God has placed spiritually gifted people in the church to both instruct us and encourage us to lead a holy life. No Christian can endure or prosper long if he lives in isolation without the support of the church. Not only do we need the Church, but the Church needs us! God has given us, as a Christian, unique gifts and abilities that will be a blessing to others.

The Bible instructs us to,

".consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together..." (Hebrews 10:24-25).

Christians need to gather for corporate (united) worship. The benefits we receive from expressing our thanksgiving and praise with other believers, publicly reading and studying the Scriptures and praying in accord cannot be duplicated or replaced. This is one of the ways God has instructed us to worship Him in "spirit and in truth" ( John 4:23-24).

The church provides an ideal outlet for serving Christ. God has created us with unique spiritual gifts and talents that benefit the rest of the body of Christ. Scripture explains that the Holy Spirit displays God's power through each of us as a means of helping the entire church (1 Corinthians 12:7). No one is "left out" so to speak. If we fail to regularly fellowship in a church with other believers, we are neglecting the opportunity to use what God has given us.