Back To Church Sunday Series

Introduction

A Churchgoer wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper and complained that it made no sense to go to church every Sunday. He wrote, “I’ve gone to church for 30 years now, and in that time I have heard something like 3,000 sermons. But for the life of me, I can’t remember a single one of them. I think I’m wasting my time and the pastors are wasting theirs by giving sermons."

This started a real controversy in the "Letters to the Editor" column.

It went on for weeks until someone wrote this clincher:

“I’ve been married for 30 years now. In that time my wife has cooked some 32,000 meals. But for the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals. But I do know this: Those meals nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my work. If my wife had not given me these meals, I would be physically dead today. Likewise, if I had not gone to church for nourishment, I would be spiritually dead today!"

A famous Scripture verse about church attendance is found in Hebrews 10:25

“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

A. DON’T GIVE UP ON CHURCH

1. The writer is giving a word of encouragement, saying “don’t give up, don’t abandon or desert the church community”. He goes on to say, “As some are in the habit of doing”. Christians today need be reminded of their importance to the church. You’re attendance & involvement in the church is vital for your spiritual nourishment.

National Survey-top 2 reasons why people stop coming to church:

1. They feel that they are “too busy with life” (family and home)

2. Church is boring (There is no excitement at church)

I realize that Sunday mornings are hard for some people to get to church. Maybe a late Saturday night, an 11 o’clock Bronco game, golfing, yard work or you got called into work. If you allow it, there is always going to be a reason not to attend.

ILLUSTRATION

Give Me Three Good Reasons

One sunny Sunday morning, Henry Jones awoke to find his wife standing over him, shaking him by the shoulder. "You have to get up," she urged. "We have to get ready for church.” "I don’t want to go to church," he replied. "I want to stay in bed.” Crossing her arms over her chest, his wife demanded, "Give me three good reasons why you should stay in bed and not go to church." "OK," he answered. "First, I don’t get anything out of the service. Second, I don’t like the people there. And third, no one there likes me.

Now can you give me three good reasons why I should go to church?" His wife responded, "First, it will do you some good. Second, there are people who really do like you. And third, you have to go, you’re the pastor! Get up and get dressed."

Gareth Reese, a college professors used to say to his students in class, “People are only two weeks from being out of the Church”.

Three weeks ago I missed church because of sickness. It felt awkward being at home on a Sunday. Again, I missed this past Sunday while away on my 15 year wedding anniversary. I really missed being in church together with all of you.

King David in Psalm 122:1 said, “I rejoiced when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord’.” Church is a Big Deal!

I did a little survey on Facebook and asked why people liked going to church. Here is one response.

“I like going to church because I love fellowshipping with all of God's people. I get a lot (spiritually) out of praise and worship and the sermons. I like to be challenged in my walk with the Lord. On a side note...The thing I found to be most frustrating was if the parishioners were not friendly. I dislike going to church if the congregation doesn't make me feel readily accepted.”

What does “going to church” provide for people?

First: Church Helps You Focus on God

1. Sometimes in life, especially in our trials, we focus so intently on our situation that we forget to focus on God and His goodness. Matthew 14:30 – Peter walking on water and focused on the waves

Clemson vs. Boston College…11 seconds to go in the ball game, Will Harper fires the ball to his favorite receiver, an outstretched Aaron Kelly…sailing across the goal line for the go-ahead touchdown….the only problem….he lost his focus at the last second and the ball ricocheted off his hands to the ground…Clemson lost the game. When you lose focus, you lose games.