Why Should We Love the Local Church?
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WHY SHOULD WE LOVE THE LOCAL CHURCH?

DUSTIN BENGE

wheaton, illinois

Why Should We Love the Local Church?

Copyright © 2022 by Dustin Benge

Published by Crossway

1300 Crescent Street

Wheaton, Illinois 60187

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher, except as provided for by USA copyright law. Crossway® is a registered trademark in the United States of America.

Cover design: Jordan Singer

Cover image: “New England Scenery” (1839) by Thomas Cole (Wikimedia commons)

First printing 2022

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

All emphases in Scripture quotations have been added by the author.

Trade paperback ISBN: 978-1-4335-7498-6

ePub ISBN: 978-1-4335-7501-3

PDF ISBN: 978-1-4335-7499-3

Mobipocket ISBN: 978-1-4335-7500-6

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Benge, Dustin W., author.

Title: Why should we love the local church? / Dustin Benge.

Other titles: Loveliest place

Description: Wheaton, Illinois : Crossway, 2022. | Series: Union | Includes bibliographical references and index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2021023824 (print) | LCCN 2021023825 (ebook) | ISBN 9781433574986 (trade paperback) | ISBN 9781433574993 (pdf) | ISBN 9781433575006 (mobipocket) | ISBN 9781433575013 (epub)

Subjects: LCSH: Church.

Classification: LCC BV600.3 .B46252 2022 (print) | LCC BV600.3 (ebook) | DDC 262.001/7—dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021023824

LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021023825

Crossway is a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Union

A book series edited by Michael Reeves

To Nate Pickowicz,

my friend, brother,

and co-laborer in the gospel

Contents

Series Preface

Introduction

1 You Are Beautiful

2 The Household of God

3 Our Father and Friend

4 Our Savior and Head

5 Our Helper and Beautifier

6 A Pillar and Buttress of Truth

7 In Spirit and Truth

8 Shepherding the Flock

9 Feeding the Flock

10 Good News

11 In Remembrance

12 Walking Worthy

13 Blessed Persecution

14 We Are One

Epilogue

Scripture Index

Series Preface

Our inner convictions and values shape our lives and our ministries. And at Union—the cooperative ministries of Union School of Theology, Union Publishing, Union Research, and Union Mission (visit www.theolo.gy)—we long to grow and support men and women who will delight in God, grow in Christ, serve the church, and bless the world. This Union series of books is an attempt to express and share those values.

They are values that flow from the beauty and grace of God. The living God is so glorious and kind, he cannot be known without being adored. Those who truly know him will love him, and without that heartfelt delight ...

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About Why Should We Love the Local Church?

Dear. Precious. Lovely. The Bible describes the church in extraordinary ways, even using beautiful poetry and metaphors. How does this compare to how Christians today describe the church? Unfortunately, many believers focus more on its mission, structure, or specific programs than on its inherent beauty. It’s time to spark a renewed affection for the church.

In this concise version of The Loveliest Place, Dustin Benge urges Christians to see the holy assembly of God’s redeemed people in all its eternal beauty. He explains what makes the church lovely, including the Trinitarian relationship, worship, service, and gospel proclamation. For those who have never learned to view the church as God sees it, or have become disillusioned by its flaws, this book is a reminder that the corporate gathering of believers is a reflection of God’s indescribable beauty.

This book is part of the Union series, which invites readers to experience deeper enjoyment of God through four interconnected values: delighting in God, growing in Christ, serving the church, and blessing the world.

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