By John Cole

(4) Here is the heart of the matter: Christ suffering and triumphant on his cross. Christ on his cross still challenges many people even if they don’t get near a church.

(5) But how can they know its healing power? They will meet Christ only by meeting Christians, you and me.

Once we meet Christ, we respond naturally in two ways:

(6) First WORSHIP: We will want to thank God - with our Christian friends - for what Christ has done and is doing in our lives.

(7) Secondly COMMUNITY LIFE: Prayer, study and relaxation together are a natural part of being ‘in Christ’.

Worship and community life: the standard diet of any local church. But on their own they don't lead others to the foot of the cross. And on their own they are likely only to lead us into a self-indulgent denial of God’s love for everyone else.