Topic: You’re Called to Belong to the Church [RICK WARREN Devotional August 23 2019]

“So now you . . . are not visitors or strangers. Now you are citizens together with God’s holy people. You belong to God’s family” (Ephesians 2:19 ICB).You’re not just called to do. You’re called to belong.

The Bible says, “God is the One who made all things, and all things are for his glory. He wanted to have many children share his glory” (Hebrews 2:10 NCV).

God doesn’t want his children to be orphans. He puts them in a family, and God’s family is called the church. You are called to belong to his church.

In Ephesians 2:19, the Bible says this: “So now you . . . are not visitors or strangers. Now you are citizens together with God’s holy people. You belong to God’s family” (ICB).

The word for “church” in the Bible is the Greek word ecclesia. It comes from the word kaleo, which means “called.” Ecclesia literally means the group of people who are called by God.

You know what that means? The church isn’t an event. It’s not a building. It’s not something you go to. The church is something you belong to. It’s a relationship. You’re called to be a part of a family with all the other people God has called.

Church is not a burden or a rule or a requirement. It is a family, and you will only ever get to know God and his purpose for your life when you are in community with God’s family.

Belonging to the church will be one of the greatest blessings and sources of encouragement in your life.

You don’t want to miss out on that.PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor RickTalk It Over

Why is it so easy to confuse the church for an event or a building? How can you remind yourself of the true nature of the church?
What role has the church played in your life? What emotions do you experience when you’re told that you’re called to belong to the church?
How can you commit yourself more fully to your church family?