Whether you are here in person or engaging from home, we are thankful you have chosen to worship with us today. If it is your first time, welcome! we would love to get to know you better. Would you consider filling out our Next Steps card and let us know you stopped by?

At Grace Family we focus our worship on Sunday to impact our lives every other day of the week as well. We also believe no one is perfect but everyone is welcome to worship God with us. So, no matter where you're from, what you've done, or what your week has been like, let's worship God and learn from His word together today.

Is Jesus really worth it?

Is the church really worth it?

- Does my attendance matter?

- Aren't I just going to get hurt?

- Was the church really Jesus' idea?

Was the church really Jesus' idea?

Matthew 16:13-16

"13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”14 “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.” 15 Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?”16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah,[b] the Son of the living God.”

If your answer is yes to Jesus, it should shape your life more than anything else.

Matthew 16:17-18

"17 Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John,because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. 18 Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’),[b] and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell[c] will not conquer it."

Church - Ekklesia (ἐκκλησία)

- The called-out ones

- Called out assembly

Jesus establishes his church on who he is: The Messiah, the Son of the Living God.

Does my attendance matter?

Acts 2:42-47

"42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper[a]), and to prayer.43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity[b]— 47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved."

Your presence is good for you.

Your presence is good for others.

Your presence takes the focus off of you and points you to Jesus.

Ephesians 2:19-22

"19 So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. 20 Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. 21 We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. 22 Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit."

Jesus' desire and design is for us to be joined together with the Ekklesia.

"Evidence suggests weekly religious service attendance is associated with lower mortality risk, lower depression, less suicide, better cardiovascular disease survival, better health behaviors and greater marital stability, happiness and purpose in life." 

                                                    - Tyler VanderWeele

                                                   Harvard Epidemiologist

Am I going to get hurt?

Yes. 

Every relationship is imperfect.

Love brings the possibility of pain.

Ephesians 4:1-4

"Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. 2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. 3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. 4 For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future."

The church is called to cancellation of debts, not cancellation of people.

Making allowance ≠ Excusing sin

Unity ≠ Conformity

We bear with others because we need people to bear with us.

Is the church worth it?

Matthew 16:16

"16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah,[a] the Son of the living God.”"

If you are a follower of Jesus he has called you to be part of his church.

You were called on purpose and you have a role to play in the success of the local church.

You're better when you're here.

We're better when you're here.

Jesus is honored when we are in this together.

What does the receipt of my church attendance say the church is worth to me?

Use the space below to ask a question and one of our pastors will get back to you!

Every week we spend time praying for your requests at our staff meeting. Submit your request below and we will be sure to pray for you this week!