Today was a special Sunday drive. Our home church, Christian Outreach Center, in Sisseton, SD, was having a benefit for the Senior Pastor and his wife, so we felt it on our hearts to attend. Home churches are different than "churchin" other places. (That was a term that one of the speakers shared, it made me smile...a confirmation, of course, that our Sunday Drives were beneficial.) Home churches are filled with smiles and tight hugs and tears and hand shakes. Looking people directly in the eyes and hearing "I love you." And we do love these people, because Tony and I spent our entire born again Christian lives and being taught and mentored by this church and this is what you would call your "family church." Everyone has one and this was the one that we were born in. We've attended other churches, but this would be the one that we were drawn to when we were both rock bottom and needing someone to take us in...we were lost and a mess and our lives had spun out of control. Which was good...even though it hurt.
Worship in this church is long and powerful. This is the part of the church were if you were new might seem a little drug on because it lasts a good hour or more, depending on the atmosphere. To the home base family, however, you would know that this is the part of the church that you connect with Christ. It's where the tears come when you know that God is singing over your hurts, needs, cares and struggles. It is the part that you dance because you know that God has encouraged you, changed you and turned your life around. It is the part where your kids stand closer, your spouse holds your hand, or your friend rubs your back. Worship calls and invites the Holy Spirit, and when the Spirit comes, he brings freedom.
After worship the church body takes about a 10 minutes break, sip a little coffee, have a couple bites of donuts, visit with people you haven't talked to in a while or whatever else you can do in 10 minutes.
Today's sermon was about the belief's of Christian Outreach Center. It was apparent that Jesus was the center of such. Pastor shared with us that Christian Outreach will always be a church that is based on Christ and that they will never change. Pastor shared that Christianity should never be anything that draws attention to ourselves, and that John 16 confirms that when the right Spirit comes he will point to Jesus.
Pastor reminded us that Jesus was considered the "word". The word came to lead us into all truth. The word of truth will build you up and make you hungry for more. Pastor said If you consider yourself a weak believer, it means your Bible is probably sitting on the shelf. I liked that part. It's true. Test it... you'll agree.
Pastor shared with us that Christian Outreach Center is also a "safe place" for all people to come and have a place to grow in Christ. That love was abundant and that in this place every person will be treated with acceptance, value, importance and respect. Love covers a multitude of sins and that when a person is provided love, God can change their hearts and they can leave feeling changed. That change will be noticed by others and will help draw others to the love of Christ. Love bares one another's burdens. As people grow in Christ, they will be known by their fruits, which are the fruits of the Spirit, John 15:8 These fruits found in Galatians 5:22-23 are as follows: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Pastor reminded us that God gives us gifts of the Spirit and talents because he trusts you to use them. Again, another reminder that our Sunday Drives are an amazing way to go outside the church walls and love on others everywhere!
After the sermon the appointed prayer team is ready to pray with you and any needs you might have!
If you'd like to listen to today's sermon, or other excellent sermons online, you can at their Website. www.cocfamily.com, click listen! Or click here.
Worship in this church is long and powerful. This is the part of the church were if you were new might seem a little drug on because it lasts a good hour or more, depending on the atmosphere. To the home base family, however, you would know that this is the part of the church that you connect with Christ. It's where the tears come when you know that God is singing over your hurts, needs, cares and struggles. It is the part that you dance because you know that God has encouraged you, changed you and turned your life around. It is the part where your kids stand closer, your spouse holds your hand, or your friend rubs your back. Worship calls and invites the Holy Spirit, and when the Spirit comes, he brings freedom.
After worship the church body takes about a 10 minutes break, sip a little coffee, have a couple bites of donuts, visit with people you haven't talked to in a while or whatever else you can do in 10 minutes.
Today's sermon was about the belief's of Christian Outreach Center. It was apparent that Jesus was the center of such. Pastor shared with us that Christian Outreach will always be a church that is based on Christ and that they will never change. Pastor shared that Christianity should never be anything that draws attention to ourselves, and that John 16 confirms that when the right Spirit comes he will point to Jesus.
Pastor reminded us that Jesus was considered the "word". The word came to lead us into all truth. The word of truth will build you up and make you hungry for more. Pastor said If you consider yourself a weak believer, it means your Bible is probably sitting on the shelf. I liked that part. It's true. Test it... you'll agree.
Pastor shared with us that Christian Outreach Center is also a "safe place" for all people to come and have a place to grow in Christ. That love was abundant and that in this place every person will be treated with acceptance, value, importance and respect. Love covers a multitude of sins and that when a person is provided love, God can change their hearts and they can leave feeling changed. That change will be noticed by others and will help draw others to the love of Christ. Love bares one another's burdens. As people grow in Christ, they will be known by their fruits, which are the fruits of the Spirit, John 15:8 These fruits found in Galatians 5:22-23 are as follows: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Pastor reminded us that God gives us gifts of the Spirit and talents because he trusts you to use them. Again, another reminder that our Sunday Drives are an amazing way to go outside the church walls and love on others everywhere!
After the sermon the appointed prayer team is ready to pray with you and any needs you might have!
If you'd like to listen to today's sermon, or other excellent sermons online, you can at their Website. www.cocfamily.com, click listen! Or click here.
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