What is the Point of Church?

John 3 records a peculiar story when a Pharisee, one of the Jewish religious teachers, came to Jesus at night.  "I know you're from God," Nicodemus says, "because no one could do the things you do unless God is with Him."  And Jesus replies - or probes - "Only one who is born again can see the kingdom of God."  This is a powerful, world-changing statement: unless someone undergoes a rebirth, they cannot be a part of God's kingdom.  Jesus clarifies that this is a spiritual rebirth. Repent, believe, and you will be saved.  Born again!

The journey with Jesus cannot begin without this rebirth, however, God does not intend that we should remain as infants.  Think about this: a human baby is a joy, and babies do what babies do.  However, if a person remains a baby for years, we see that something has gone terribly wrong.  The natural development of that person has been stunted.  

Likewise, the person who is born again is also not designed to remain an infant for long.  We are called to grow, develop, mature in our faith, in our Christlikeness. 

Hebrews 10:19-25 is a lesson about the critical role of the church in a Christian's development.  "Let us draw near with a full heart in full assurance of our faith... let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful... let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."   Stronger faith, stronger hope, stronger love - all of these can only be developed in community.  

We're not perfect

Oh no, far from it.  And we're still learning how "not perfect" we are, both as people and as a church.  Big Springs is full of people who know there’s a whole lot of sin left in us.  We’re learning about God’s grace and how to be gracious with others; we’re learning about God’s love and how to be loving toward each other.  All while being reminded, constantly, that our invitation to be born again came not through our own efforts, but through the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.  

With that confidence, we’re learning.  I hope you’ll join us!