Then Jesus replied, “Happy are you, Simon son of Jonah, because no human has shown this to you. Rather my Father who is in heaven has shown you. I tell you that you are Peter. And I’ll build my church on this rock. The gates of the underworld won’t be able to stand against it.
Matthew 16:17-18
There are a lot of reasons to go to church this morning, and they all lead us into a deeper relationship with God while strengthening our ties to a community built around our commitment to follow Jesus.
There are also a lot of reasons not to go to church today, and they all – eventually- lead us away from the person, the passion, and the people of Jesus.
Jesus was very clear that his gift to this world, his long term plan, involved something he called “My Church.” So the very heart, the foundation, of any decision regarding our commitment to and participation in a local church is – essentially – our response to the birth, life, death, resurrection, and ministry of Jesus.
So Rebekah and I will absolutely be in church this morning. – DEREK
Derek Maul: Words, Photographs, and Food for the Journey 