The Benefits of Belonging to a Church Family, Part 2

[The Benefits of Belonging to a Church Family, Part 2]( Current Teaching Series [This Is Us]( [Listen to Today's Broadcast]( [The Benefits of Belonging to a Church Family, Part 2]( By Rick Warren — 02/23/2022 [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Pinterest]( [Email]( “[God] made us, and we belong to him; we are his people, we are his flock." Psalm 100:3 (GNT) Belonging to a church family has many benefits. Yesterday we looked at two of those benefits: Through the church, you learn your true identity and you are supported by others. Today we’ll look at three more benefits. You discover your unique value. Everyone is unique. Nowhere else on Earth is there anyone like you. That’s why the church needs you—to make the body complete. Romans 12:4-5 says, “Just as there are many parts to our bodies, so it is with Christ’s body. We are all parts of it, and it takes every one of us to make it complete, for we each have different work to do. So we belong to each other, and each needs all the others” (TLB). You need other people, and they need you. You receive protection. Psalm 100:3 says, “[God] made us, and we belong to him; we are his people, we are his flock” (GNT). What’s the benefit of being part of God’s flock? You are defended and cared for. You have other people looking out for you. And you can enjoy the safety and security that come from belonging to a family who trusts in Jesus, the Good Shepherd. Being connected to God’s church—God’s flock—also makes you more confident and less anxious. When you’re struggling in the business world, you can say, “I’m not on my own.” When your relationships are strained, you can say, “I’m not on my own.” Or when you’re facing a health crisis, you can say, “I’m not on my own.” Why? Because you belong to a church family that loves you. You become productive. Most people want their life to count. They want to make a difference. How can you best do that? By staying connected to a church family. And that’s the key—you have to stay connected. Jesus said, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener . . . you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:1, 5 NIV). The point is this: You’ll never be as productive as God intended for you to be if you’re not connected to a church family. Your church teaches you the right questions to ask and the right priorities to set. A cut-off branch cannot bear fruit. But when you’re connected to the true vine, Jesus, life-giving energy flows through you to others. Nothing in the world can give you what the church gives you. Only the church can meet your need for significance, stability, protection, productivity, and being valued. [PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >>]( Talk It Over - How is God using the talents and giftings of other people to benefit your life? - With everything going on in our world today, why is it important to seek the protection of a church family? - Think of someone who is making a huge difference in the world through their church. How do their efforts encourage you to do the same? Have you trusted God’s promise of salvation? If you’re ready to commit your life to Jesus, then pray this prayer: “Dear Jesus, you have promised that if I believe in you, everything I’ve ever done wrong will be forgiven, I will learn the purpose of my life, and you will accept me into your eternal home in heaven one day. “I confess my sin, and I receive you into my life as my Lord and Savior. Today, I’m turning every part of my life over to you. I want to follow you and do what you tell me to do. “Jesus, I am grateful for your love and for your sacrifice that makes it possible for me to join you in heaven. I know I don’t deserve it. And I thank you that I don’t have to earn or work for my salvation, because I know that is impossible. I want to use the rest of my life to serve you instead of serving myself. I humbly commit my life to you, and I ask you to save me and accept me into your family. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.” If you just prayed to accept Jesus, please email me at Rick@PastorRick.com and let me know. I’d like to send you some free materials to help you start your journey with Jesus. The post [The Benefits of Belonging to a Church Family, Part 2]( appeared first on [Pastor Rick's Daily Hope](. [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Pinterest]( [Email]( [Get the Words to Love By Children's Gift Book when you give a gift to support Daily Hope!]( Words have power . . . they can build others up or tear them down. That’s why Pastor Rick Warren teamed up with a talented artist to create the stunning children’s book, Words to Love By. This beautiful, hardcover book is written especially for children ages 4-8 and takes little ones on a joyful, grace-filled journey exploring the power of words. Through charming illustrations and engaging text, young readers will discover how their words can change their lives and the lives of those around them. [LEARN MORE]( [Complete Audio Series (Purchase)]( Includes 3 full-length messages from Pastor Rick's series This Is Us. [LEARN MORE]( [Series Summary]( Message 1: The Only Family that Will Last Forever Message 2: What on Earth Am I Here For? Message 3: How God Grows Our Faith [PLAY TODAY'S BROADCAST]( Pastor Rick Warren [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [Linkedin]( Enjoy today's devotional? Listen to Pastor Rick’s daily audio teaching at [PastorRick.com]( Did someone forward this devotional to you? [Subscribe to Pastor Rick Warren's Daily Devotional.]( As the founding pastor of Saddleback Church with his wife Kay, Dr. Rick Warren leads a 30,000-member congregation in California with campuses in major cities around the world. As an author, his book [The Purpose Driven Life]( is one of the best-selling nonfiction books in publishing history. It has been translated into 74 languages and sold more than 50 million copies in all formats. His book [The Purpose Driven Church]( was named one of the 100 Christian books that changed the century. Rick also founded [The PEACE Plan]( to address five global issues—spiritual emptiness, self-serving leadership, poverty, disease, and illiteracy—through the power of ordinary people in the local church. 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