Going to God’s House: Day Five

View Sermon Video HERE

Day 5: Being the Church

Devotional
There's a profound difference between attending church and being the church. One is a weekly activity; the other is a lifelong identity. One is about what we do; the other is about who we are. In 1 Peter 2:5, believers are described as "living stones" being built into a spiritual house. This imagery reminds us that we don't just go to church—we are the church collectively. Each of us has a place in God's building project, and we're meant to be firmly connected to one another. This understanding transforms our commitment to God's people. We don't serve the church because it's perfect—it's not. We're all works in progress, being shaped "slowly, painfully, and gloriously into the image of Christ." We commit to the church because Christ purchased her with His blood, and because God has chosen to dwell among His gathered people. If you've been hurt by a church, that pain is real and shouldn't be minimized. Yet God still calls us to community—not because it's always comfortable, but because it's where He is present and building His house. Let's not just attend church. Let's be the church—loving her, praying for her, serving her, and fighting for her flourishing, all for the sake of Christ.

You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house,
to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
- 1 Peter 2:5

Reflection Question
What's one specific way you could move from merely attending church to more fully being the church this week?

“Let's not just attend church.
Let's be the church and love her and pray for her and serve her and fight for her flourishing,
all for the sake of Christ, who purchased her with his own blood.”
~ Pastor Mike Mura

Prayer
Father, thank You for making me a living stone in Your spiritual house. Help me to see beyond attending services to embracing my identity as part of Your church. Show me how to love, serve, and contribute to the flourishing of Your people, even when it's challenging. May I be firmly connected to my brothers and sisters in Christ. Amen.