The Centre Community Church

Tag: Church

  • Philippians 3:12-21

    Philippians 3:12-21

    In high school I was a member of the track team for a few years.  I didn’t like it.  It wasn’t that I couldn’t compete, or didn’t do well, but I hated the solitude.  I hated the fact that everything rested upon my shoulders – if I lost it was all on me.  Some people enjoy the pressure, but not me.  I’m a team player!  I enjoy working with others, partnering with others, and allowing their strengths to compliment my weaknesses and vice versa.  However, being part of a team didn’t mean that I could slack off and give up practicing and honing my skills.  I still had to get better and improve, but I did this for the team, not just for myself.  If I improved, the team improved.

    In the same way we as Christians must continue to become more like Christ (this is called sanctification).  But we do this not for ourselves, but first for Jesus and then for the whole body of Christ because we are all part of the same body (read 1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12, Ephesians 4).  And as we do this we look to one another for encouragement and direction and support.  We do not do this on our own!  If we try to follow Jesus on our own, we go against the body of Christ, and we go against God.

    This Sunday we’ll be looking at Philippians 3:12-21.  Please read over the passage a few times before Sunday so that you’re familiar with it.

    Pastor Mike

  • Why Church?

    Why Church?

    What’s the point in going to church?  They just want to take your money.  The church is a man-made institution that was made to keep people in line.  It’s outdated, and no longer relevant.  I’ve got much better things to do like spend time with my family and friends.  I can do church and follow God on my own – I don’t need anyone to help me.

    Perhaps you’ve heard some of these comments from people when you’ve talked to them about church, or told them that you go.  Maybe you’ve even felt that way yourself, and wondered what is the point anyway!

    This Sunday we’re going to start a new 4 week series on church, and why it’s important to be a part of the local church. In fact, it’s not even a choice for a Christian.  If you are a Christ-follower, then you need to belong to the local church.  We’re going to look at the reason behind church, what we’re called to be and do, and how we go about it doing it.  To get you ready for the series I’d encourage you to read the letter to the Ephesians, and read through the book of Acts, always keeping in mind the question, “What’s the point in going to church?”

    I’ll see you on Sunday!

    Pastor Mike

  • Lessons I’ve Learned: the Body of Christ

    Lessons I’ve Learned: the Body of Christ

    Why do we get together on Sundays and go to church? Is it simply tradition? Is it to fill the time because we have so much free time? Is it a social gathering put together for our benefit? Do we go to church to please others? Do we go to obey God? What’s in it for us?

    As we wind down our summer series, Lessons I’ve Learned through Scripture, I wanted to look at a two things we’ll be looking at in more detail this fall — the church, and the Bible. Both are core to our lives as followers of Christ, but both can fall into the realm of religion: following rules instead of following God. This Sunday I want to focus on the joy of coming together as the Body of Christ, and recognizing that as we come together our primary focus is on God, but our secondary focus is on others, not ourselves. I hope that you’ll be able to join us this Sunday. In order to prepare for this Sunday I’d encourage you to read Psalm 122 and Hebrews 10.

    Pastor Mike