Church?
What's the big deal about going?
Many people may be asking these very questions and more about the importance of church to the person who believes in Christ. Church is vitally important for the believer in many ways. Please take a few moments and read what a few of these ways are.
1. Church provides love and support for the Christian. In John 13:35 we are shown that love is the proof of our following Christ. “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” Hebrews 10:24, 25 tell us “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” When you assemble with other believers you experience the love of being in a family, but not just any family: the family of God! Through the experience of this love, we are able to enjoy the second way that God uses the church.
2. Church provides an environment to grow. We all understand that in order for growth in any being to happen, there has to be a purposed environment. This is true in plants, animals, people, and organizations. This is also true in our Christian life. In order for us to grow in our spirit, we must have the right environment. Having a loving church home gives the optimal opportunity for the individual Christian to grow. How is this possible? Through the sound application of the Word of God. 1 Peter 2:2 says “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:” It is in church where we experience the teaching and preaching of the Word of God, which in turn is able to strengthen us in our faith. The next way that God uses church in our lives is found in worship.
3. Church provides a time and place to worship God. Let’s be honest with ourselves, if we fail to schedule time with God, then we will fail to have that time with Him. Things that get scheduled get done. Should we not, as Christians, put Him in His rightful place as Lord of our lives and schedule times of worship? This was the pattern of our Lord Jesus when He was on this earth. Luke 4:16 “And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up for to read.” If it was customary and necessary for Christ, Who was God in the flesh, how much more important is it for us? Matthew 6:33 reminds us “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” If we will put Him first, He will take care of us. Finally let us look at the fourth reason to attend church.
4. Church provides opportunities to show our love for God through service. Going back to Hebrews 10:24, we are to “…provoke one another unto love and to good works.” It is no secret that Christians are the most generous people in the world and churches lead the way in giving and serving our communities. Churches also provide opportunities to influence others through mentoring, discipleship, evangelism, and teaching. Galatians 6:10 reminds us “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” Also, the Apostle Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 9:8, “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:” James reminds us in chapter two that our faith is shown by our works. Look specifically at verse 18, “Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.” Working faith is a better communication of Christ’s love to the world and church provides the opportunities to show our faith!
In conclusion, we have seen and read of the importance of church in the life of the Christian. Will you commit to come? Will you experience the family of God and grow through the teaching and preaching of His Word? Will you commit the time to publicly worship the God you claim as Savior? Will you show the world your faith through serving in the local church? Will you commit to being in church the next time the doors are opened?
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