The document discusses why Jesus loves the church and why Christians should too. It says that the church is not a human institution but rather a manifestation of God's wisdom meant to spread the story of salvation. It acknowledges that the church is imperfect but calls Christians to be a part of making it better rather than leaving due to imperfections. It emphasizes that Christians cannot love Jesus without loving the church, and encourages readers to love both Christ and His church.

1. the heart of
who we are, what we do & why we do it

2. The church is no human
arrangement. It is not a
product of man’s ingenuity,
nor is it a mere afterthought
of God as some people think.

3. It is a manifestation of God’s
wisdom. It is the agency by
which the story of salvation is
to be told. When we give our
lives to Christ we give our
lives to the church.

4. When we became a Christian
God added us to the church.
The church is composed of
individuals who were bought
by the blood of Christ.

5. It may not always be perfect.
It may look like an ugly bride
at times, but rather than
allowing her imperfections to
drive you away, why not be a
part of making her better?

6. Quit expecting the church to
be perfect. Stop looking for
the perfect church. You will
not find it. And if you do find
the perfect church, don’t go
there. You will mess it up.

7. The church is for the
imperfect. God’s family is
full of imperfect people.
Christ remains committed
to us even though we are
broken and messed up.

8. Too many Christians use
the church, but don't love it.
In fact, you can’t love Jesus
and not love the church.
It’s impossible.

9. So let us love Christ and
let us love His church –
because that’s what He
intended for us to do.
(Rick Warren)

10. WHY JESUS LOVES
THE CHURCH AND
WHY YOU SHOULD
TOO

11. Origin & Ownership

12. I will build my church.
And the gates of hell
will not overpower it.
(Matthew 16:18 – God’s Word Translation)

13. MY RESPONSE:
I will serve faithfully
and obediently!

14. Love & Sacrifice

15. Husbands, you must love
your wives so deeply, purely,
and sacrificially that we can
understand it only when we
compare it to the love Christ
has for His bride, the church.

16. We know He gave Himself
up completely to make
her His own.
(Ephesians 5:25-26 – The Voice)

17. MY RESPONSE:
I will give joyfully
and sacrificially.

18. Purpose & Proclamation

19. Through the church the manifold
wisdom of God might now be
made known . . .
(Ephesians 3:10- English Standard Version)

20. God’s purpose in all this
was to use the church
to display his wisdom
in its rich variety . . .
(Ephesians 3:10- English Standard Version)

21. Here’s His objective:
through the church, He intends
now to make known His infinite
and boundless wisdom . . .
(Ephesians 3:10- The Voice)

22. MY RESPONSE:
I will share clearly
and confidently

23. Help & Hope

24. Christ is also the head of the
church, which is his body . . .
and his name will be the
hope of all the world.
(Colossians 1:18, Matthew 12:21 – New Living Translation)

25. MY RESPONSE:
I will shine boldly
and brightly

26. There is nothing like the local
church when it’s working right.
Its beauty is indescribable.
Its power is breathtaking.
Its potential is unlimited.

27. It comforts the grieving and
heals the broken in the
context of community. It builds
bridges to seekers and opens
its arms to the forgotten, the
downtrodden,

28. and the disillusioned. It breaks
the chains of addictions, frees
the oppressed, and offers
belonging to the marginalized
of this world.

29. The potential of the local
church is almost more
than I can grasp.
(Bill Hybels)

31. AUGUST 1 – SEPTEMBER 9
PRAYING FOR OUR CHURCH AND OUR
MISSION TO IMPACT OUR WORLD FOR CHRIST

32. Let’s Pray