Why should I believe in the Church

A. Jesus established the church. Matthew 16:18
If we are true believers we are part of the international faith.

B. It is the only place dealing with the eternal answers of life.
- It challenges us to number our days

C. It is God's vehicle to bring peace and healing
- Pope innocent III taught that if you faught in the crusades you would earn your salvation
- ephesians 2:8-9
-> Do not worship the church because it is made up of fallible people and leaders
-> When authentic Christianity is lived out it actually attracts people rather than deter
-> It is the conditions of the human hearts, not the faith and the scriptures.
*Matthew 15:18

Change in the World begins with one changed heart. The deepest part of who we are.
Change your heart you change a family. Change a family and you will change a community. Change the community you can change the world. And when you change a country you change the world.

1. Christianity brings value to human life ~ starting with children. Jesus blessed them and now we cherish them as vaulable life.
-> We brought an end to slavery and cannibalism (through people who had a change of heart)
Galatians 3:28

Each person matters to God
2. Ministers to the the needs of the poor. - a world with out Christ is a world with out Charities.
3. High value to education.
4. Cares for the physical needs of the people
- Despite the faliures, the church has taught that people are valuable. It has laid foundations

D. True community of love.
- We are sinners saved by grace who know they need one another.
Acts 2:44-47 They met regularly to spur one another on in love.
Relationships are built upon the authority and word of God
the church is there to support, encourage, restore people that are stuggling.
We are a family - drawing our strength from God.
The church has changed lives
Jesus is in the business of changing lives **luke 19