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Faith in Todays world Ep5: Does church still matter? · HAVE FAITH LET IT BEGIN®

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  The world changes every day, but God's truth never does.
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  Welcome to Faith in Today's World, a special series from Have Faith, Let It Begin.
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  I'm Angel Santana, and today we're exploring today's headlines,
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  everyday challenges, and the question people are asking, and discover what God's
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  Word has to say about them.
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  Because while the world keeps changing, our hope remains the same in Jesus Christ.
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  Half Faith Let It Begin starts right now.
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  Welcome to Half Faith Let It Begin. This is Ariel Santana.
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  Can you believe I'm seven years old already? I'm old enough now to introduce my dad.
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  Ladies and gentlemen, your host, my dad, Angel Santana.
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  Two thousand came and the spark was lit. A testimony raw, it wouldn't quit.
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  His mother's voice, a guiding thread. The angels are with you.
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  Oh boy, this is going to be a controversial episode. I'm just warning you now.
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  Good morning, everyone, and welcome to Have Faith, Let It Begin.
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  Angel Santana here, and this is episode five of The Faith in Today's World.
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  Today's question is one I've heard more than several times in the last several
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  years, and the quote is, do I really need church? Hmm.
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  Or maybe you've heard someone say, I can worship God at home.
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  Or I've heard, I don't need a building to believe. How about,
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  church is full of hypocrites.
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  Or maybe you've even said one of those things yourself. So today,
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  let's talk honesty. Let's be honest.
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  Let's break the fourth wall. Let's get behind the curtain and really tap into
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  all these things. What's happening?
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  The world has changed dramatically and people work different schedules.
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  Families are busier than ever.
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  Streaming services allows us to watch sermons from anywhere.
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  We can worship online, listen to Christian podcasts like Have Faith Let It Begin,
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  read devotionals on your phones.
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  Those are all wonderful blessings.
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  But here's the question. Can technology replace community? Bless you,
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  Noah. Can technology replace community?
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  Can watching a church service replace living life alongside other believers?
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  That's going to be a tough one. So let's get into it.
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  I don't believe church is just a place you attend. I believe it's a family you belong to.
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  This is, of course, my opinion. Church isn't perfect because people aren't perfect.
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  And every congregation has different personalities, different opinions,
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  different stories. Sometimes people get hurt.
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  Sometimes churches make mistakes. And sometimes leaders fail. That's heartbreaking.
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  But imperfect people don't make Jesus imperfect.
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  They simply remind us why we all need His grace.
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  Can I share something with you? There's a time in my life when I needed people
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  more than I wanted to admit.
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  I was carrying burdens, questions, discouragement, and God didn't send me an email.
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  He didn't send a notification to my phone. He sent people.
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  People who prayed with me. People who encouraged me. People who simply sat beside
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  me when I didn't have the words.
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  That's what church became for me.
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  Not just a building, it's a family. And I'll always be grateful for that.
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  Church isn't just about what you receive. It's also about what you bring.
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  Your smile may encourage someone.
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  Your testimony may inspire someone. Your prayer may strengthen someone.
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  Sometimes we walk into church thinking, what can I get today?
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  Maybe the better question is, who can I encourage today?
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  Because somewhere in that sanctuary is someone praying for hope.
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  And God may choose to use you as part of that answer.
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  So here's your faith challenge. If you need, let me rephrase that.
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  If you've been away from church for a while, take one step and visit.
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  Call a pastor. Reach out to a trusted friend.
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  Or simply pray and ask God where he wants you to grow.
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  And if you're already part of a church family, don't just attend. Connect.
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  Serve. Invite someone to come with you.
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  You never know whose life could change because of a simple invitation.
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  Let me close with this. Church has never been about perfect people.
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  It's always been about people growing together, laughing together,
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  crying together, praying together, learning together, walking through life's
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  highs and lows together.
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  That's something the world desperately needs today. Not just more information, more connection.
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  Let's pray. Heavenly Father, thank you for creating us to live in community.
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  Help us never to isolate ourselves when life becomes difficult.
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  Lead us toward people who will encourage us, pray for us, and help us grow in our faith.
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  And help us become that kind of person for someone else.
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  Teach us to love your church, not because it's perfect, but because it's made
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  up of people you deeply love.
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  May we always remember that when we gather your name, we reflect your heart
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  to the world. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
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  Thank you for joining me for another episode of Faith in Today's World,
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  a special series from here at Have Faith, Let It Begin.
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  Remember, the world changes every day, but God's truth never does.
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  This week, don't just look for a place to worship.
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  Look for a place to belong.
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  And if you found that place, be the reason someone else feels welcome.
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  Until next time, may God be with you. May He shine His light upon you and grant
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  each and every single one of you peace on earth.
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  Next time on Have Faith, Let It Begin, in the special series,
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  Faith in Today's World, we're going to tackle episode six, Success Isn't What You Think.
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  We explore questions like, how do we define success? Is success measured by
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  money, titles, or possessions?
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  What if God's definition of success looks completely different from the world's?
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  Have a good weekend. I should say, look at me, I said have a good weekend.
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  Let's have a good week and never forget, have faith, let it begin.
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  Noah, can you tell everybody to have faith and let it begin?
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  Bye. Bye. Say hasta la pasta.