The Guardians of the Galaxy aren't without flaw or failure. They're just a ragtag, hastily-assembled team of misfits out to save the universe. Yet every member has a role, a purpose, a place, meaning, and value, just like the members of a church. The world loves to hate Christians. We don't fit in. We don't always have all the answers. We make lots of mistakes. We're hypocritical, flawed, sinful, human...but Jesus loves us - just as He loves all the misfits.

Who are we and where are we going? The Christian Church / Church of Christ was established as a result of the Restoration Movement, which was a sincere call to return to the Biblical principles and practices of the early church. One of the rallying cries was, "We're not the only Christians, but we're Christians only," a phrase meant to signify our unity with brothers and sisters of other denominations. Unfortunately, in many cases that phrase has been twisted over the years to, "We are the only Christians."

It's Sunday and we're singing songs, talking with friends, getting filled up with encouragment, and soaking in the presence of God. But... Monday's coming, and with it, the inevitable: spilled coffee, traffic jams, missed appointments, mistakes, failures, and even sin. Not one of us can escape or avoid it. What happens then?

Christians are contentious. We like to fight about music styles, preaching styles, decorations, building projects, women's roles, and even the interpretation of Scripture. Jude 1:3, however, gives us something to fight about: "...I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God's holy people." Though we may disagree at times, we must remain united in our mission to bring the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world.

"Consider it pure joy...whenever you face trials of many kinds..." The book of James encouraged Christians in the early church who faced persecution, exile, and were even put to death for their faith. How could they possibly find joy in such circumstances? How can we gain that same joy?

James 2:26 says, "faith without works is dead." We claim to believe in Jesus, but do we truly and wholeheartedly follow Him? Have we allowed Him to transform us completely, mind, body, and soul?

The church seems to be the butt of a lot of jokes, insults, mockery, and just plain negativity. But where do we go to encounter God? Are we going it alone, or are we called to be a community?

Jesus, the Son of God, rode into town humbly, on a donkey. He was "uncool" - He didn't try to fit in with the social normies. Today Jesus remains the ultimate example of authenticity, compassion, acceptance and forgiveness.

Hebrews 12:1-3 says that joy helped empower Jesus to endure the cross. How could He be joyful in such terrible circumstances? How can we acquire this powerful joy?

In 2 Samuel 21:1-14, we read about the time when King David sought to atone for King Saul's sins against the Gibeonites, who demanded that seven of his descendants be handed over and put to death.