“…Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” – Ephesians 5.25b
The church is not merely a building we attend or a gathering we observe. Scripture tells us it is something Christ loved so deeply that He gave Himself up for her. He shed His blood for the church.
That truth should shape how we think about the church, how we speak about her, and how we participate in her life.
Charles Spurgeon once warned that while the church is not perfect, it is dangerous to take pleasure in pointing out her flaws. Christ sees every weakness in His church far more clearly than we ever could and yet He loves her still. He covers her with His love and cleanses her by His blood.
Which means when we criticize the church carelessly, withdraw from her casually, or treat her as optional, we are treating lightly what Christ holds as precious.
Loving the church does not mean pretending she is perfect. It means committing ourselves to her. It means serving, forgiving, worshiping, giving, and growing alongside imperfect people just as Christ has done with us.
If Jesus loved the church enough to give His life for her, then we should love the church enough to give our time, our hearts, and our faithful presence.
Let your love for Christ be seen in your love for His church this Sunday.
Pastor Clegguart Mitchell 
Awesome admonition.