A spiritual family is something that’s difficult to experience unless you get involved in a local church.
In starting a new sermon series entitled “We Are Family: Deepening the Roots of Our Faith Together,” Pastor Troy Murphy wanted to talk about a spiritual family by using the analogy of the gym he attends. Troy interviewed gym owner Brian Gajeski of Bode Central. Here are some key points from his message on Sunday, Sept. 9:
*In joining a gym, Troy didn’t know what he was missing physically. In attending a church, people don’t know what they are missing spiritually.
*At Troy’s gym people who come are treated like family and are warmly welcomed into the group. At church people are warmly welcomed into the body of believers and treated like family members.
*Brian said he didn’t open his gym for the money but instead wanted to help people attain a new level of fitness. His first clients were his parents, who experienced radical physical transformation, including the combined loss of 120 pounds. The church isn’t about making money but rather about helping people attain a new level of spiritual growth by drawing closer to Christ.
*Troy said he thought he was in shape until he experienced Brian’s gym, which lifted him to a new level of fitness. In the same way we can experience a new level of faith if we commit to the local church.
*Because Troy feels so much better physically from his gym experience, he is compelled to invite others to try it. Because the local church brings spiritual transformation, we should feel compelled to invite others to experience the same thing.
*The gym doesn’t offer revolutionary new exercises, but the culture there is transformation because there is a personal connection that is motivating people to reach the next level of growth. The local church offers a culture that connects people to other believers and motivates them to grow spiritually.
*We all want to be loved and connected, no matter where we are in our faith journey. But just like Troy didn’t know what he was missing physically until he started attending the gym, some people will never know what they are missing spiritually until they dive into the local church. There are certain things you don’t experience until you put yourself in an atmosphere that promotes growth.
*There is physical benefit to working out alone, but there is far greater value when you surround yourself with people who will hold you accountable and challenge you to take the next step. It’s the same with spiritual matters. You can read the Bible and pray alone and get benefit from that, but diving into relationships with other believers in the local church will elevate you to the next level of spiritual growth.
*Once Troy started experiencing transformation at a fitness center, he couldn’t stop going because he was committed. Once you come into the church and Jesus transforms your life, it becomes compelling and you can’t get enough because you’re committed.
