Sometimes I think people feel like Chuck Yeager - a test pilot - Looking for a church can be scary. How do I know what church has the right stuff?

WHAT THE RIGHT CHURCH CAN DO FOR ME

The right church helps me stay spiritually motivated.

70% of Americans say religion is "very important." In fact, 8-14% are saying religion is "not important." How do we stay spiritually motivated?

We need encouragement - people doing what we are doing - people reminding us why what we are doing is valuable.

Success Magazine cited the need for Good cheerleaders -- the ones who can rally a frazzled team on the brink of defeat -- are hard to find.

Nearly 2,000 years ago the Roman historian Tacitus found ideal models in the wives of Germanic warriors.

At the critical moment when the weary troops were about to give up the battlefield, their women would suddenly appear and vividly remind the men of everything they had to lose.

How? By ripping off their tunics and exposing their breasts. Afraid of ceding to the enemy these "maidens of nobel birth," the Teutonic soldiers were spurred into renewed feats of valor

The Superbowl stadiums are always filled with cheerleaders - people routing and encouraging the players. Listen, God gave us more than cheerleaders, He gave us the church.

Let's see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as do but spurring each other on. Heb 10:25TM

"have fellowship with one another... greet...love...accept...be devoted... be kind and compassionate...." 1Jn1:7; Rom 16:16; Jn 13:35; Rom 15:7; Rom 12:10; Eph 4:32.

The church is an extended family.

Mayo Clinic Magazine, "For the patients who have an especially difficult time after surgery, if they eventually recover, it is because there is a family member who gives them a reason to be strong and a reason to go home." -- Paul Harvey, 12/4/91

Gal 6:2LB Share each other's troubles and problems, and so obey our Lord's command. 3 If anyone thinks he is too great to stoop to this, he is fooling himself. He is really a nobody. 4 Let everyone be sure that he is doing his very best, for then he will have the personal satisfaction of work well done and won't need to compare himself with someone else. Instruct one another... teach and counsel one another... build up each other.... Romans 15:4; Colossians 3;16; 1Thessalonians 5:12 2.

The right church helps me develop spiritual maturity

U.S. News and World Report poll said 62% of Americans say the influence of religion in their life is growing.

Another study showed that 8 out of 10 people identify themselves as God fearing church goers who pray. [1994 Time Mirror study].

President Coolidge: Once he invited some friends from Vermont to dine at the White House. They were worried about their table manners, so they decided to do everything their host did. All went well until coffee was served. Coolidge poured his into the saucer. The guests did the same. The President added sugar and cream. So did the visitors. Then Coolidge leaned over and placed his saucer on the floor for the cat!

Let us go on instead to other things and become mature in our understanding, as strong Christians ought to be. Hebrews 6:1LB Kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you... For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline. 2 Timothy 1:6NAS

Ozzy Osbourne: When I say things to my son, I teach myself. When I tell him, "When you do a stupid thing, expect stupid results," I stop and think, "Shouldn't I be saying that to myself?" ... Luckly I survived my years through sex, drugs and rock'n roll to be able to tell my children the dangers."

Madonna stated in an interview with Katie Curic, "I won't let her child watch TV - best thing my father ever did was to not allow me to watch TV." [I might have had a few more suggestions!]

Those who believed ... were baptized...they joined with the other believers in regular attendance at the apostles' teaching sessions and at the Communion services and prayer meetings... They worshiped together regularly at the Temple... and met in small groups in homes for Communion, and shared their meals... Acts 2: 41-42,46LB

Instruct one another... teach and counsel one another... build up each other.... Romans 15:4; Colossians 3:16; 1Thessalonians 5:12 3.

The right church helps me discover my ministry

Jesus invites each of us to join Him in the work He does, the good work He has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing. Ephesians 2:10 TM

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others. 1Peter 4:10NIV

And He gave some as...pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-12NAS

Self appreciation comes from knowing who I am in Christ and serving Him. With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord. Ephesians 6:7-8NAS

The right church helps me fulfill my mission in life.

We are not Christians just for ourselves. Okay, I'm saved. Jesus replied, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. The second most important is similar: 'Love your neighbor as much as you love yourself.' Matthew 22:37-39LB

You can't do that and keep God's love a secret. The most important thing is that I complete my mission, the work that the Lord Jesus gave me--to tell people the Good News about God's grace. Acts 20:24NAS

We are Christ's ambassadors.... receive the love he offers you--be reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:20LB