Rev. Bonnie MacDonald, SW Washington

 

 

WHY CHURCH?

 

  Why do we attend church?  This is a question that has been asked over and over again through the ages – but never more than during this age.  Let me give you some reasons that I feel are very valid concerning this subject.

  Firstly, the church was God’s idea.  It is what He created to use to minister to us now in this age.  Matthew 16:18 says: “…I will build My church; and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.”  Ephesians 5:23 says that Christ is the head of the church, and in Hebrews 10:25 it says that we are to gather together and encourage one another in His Name.

1. THE WORD TELLS US TO         

Hebrews 10:23-25 (see above)

            Acts 2:41-42 – Peter was preaching to them and many were baptized and about 3,000 got                          saved.  If there had been no preaching, no one would have been saved.

2.     SO WE CAN STAY STRONG

Hebrews 3:12-14 admonishes us that we can fall away unless we encourage one another day after day and Hebrews 2:1-4 says we can drift away if we neglect our salvation.

3. SO WE CAN BE TAUGHT

1 Corinthians 12:27-31 and Ephesians 4:11-16 gives us lists of ministries God has placed in the church, ie:  apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher.  Ephesians 4:11 says:  “…for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ.” (the church).  Why have these ministries without a church?  We need the church so these ministries can flourish and we need these ministries so we can grow.

4. SO WE CAN MINISTER TO OTHERS

1 Corinthians 12:4-11 gives us a list of gifts given to the church.  Again, we need the church for the gifts and the gifts for the church.

5. THAT’S WHERE YOU WILL FIND YOUR PURPOSE IN LIFE

1 Timothy 4:14-16 tells us not to neglect the spiritual gift within us (we have all been given gifts by God and He want us to use them) (verse 16): “… for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.”  The more time you spend in church, the closer you will be to your purpose (why you are here).  Don’t tell me you haven’t asked that question, because we all have.

6. SO THAT OUR CHILDREN WILL LEARN ABOUT GOD

Proverbs 22:6 says:  “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it.”  Jesus said in        Mark 10:15:  “Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.” 

7. SO WE CAN HEAR WHAT THE LORD IS SAYING TO US TODAY (Prophecy)

Acts 13:1-3 tells us how prophecy came forth in the church and gave direction for the people there.            1 Corinthians 14:1 tells us to: “Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.”  Verse 4 says that “one who prophesies edifies the church.”

8. FOR HEALING

James 5:14-15 says: “Is anyone among you sick?  Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him.”                

Mark 16:18 says that believers can lay hands on the sick and they will recover.

 9. FELLOWSHIP

1 John 1:7:  “If we say we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice to truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.”

If you are truly a Christian, you will want to be part of the church because Jesus is part of the church.  He wants us to fellowship together and thus come closer to Him.

 

WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE CHURCH?

 

1.     THERE ARE PEOPLE IN IT AND PEOPLE ARE NOT PERFECT

I love that bumper sticker that says:  “Christians are not perfect, we are just forgiven.”  Christians are just people like everyone else.  We make mistakes and we do wrong things.  Sometimes we think we know it all and we judge others.  But, then, so does everyone else.  So don’t be so hard on us.  We are all working out our salvation with trembling and fear.  The good thing about Christians is that we are working toward the goal of being like Christ, so you will see progress in us.  Just give us some mercy. 

2. SOMETIMES WE GET ANNOYED WITH HOW THINGS ARE DONE

A little piece of advice:  Until you have been put in charge, just relax.  If you have what you think are legitimate concerns, talk it over with the pastor.  However, remember that He is the one that God put over this particular ministry and you need to trust him to hear from God, so be careful.

3. YOU CAN GET HURT

It’s true; you can be hurt at church, school, home, work, restaurant, and any other place you go. We are all vulnerable.  The Bible tells us to guard our heart will all diligence – that says to me not to be so easily offended.  There are times that there are some really mean people in the church and they can hurt people – but I refuse to carry the offense because that will only hurt me and also others around me.  If it is that bad, then you have to forgive.  That’s what the Word says to do.  Life is too short to carry it.  I know that sometimes it takes awhile, but you can do it if you put your mind to it.

 

Lastly, I would say to you what I said first:  The church was God’s idea.  He said to go to church and that’s good enough for me.  Whatever He says to do, that is what I want to do – and I hope you feel the same way. 

END

 

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