“A member of a certain church, who previously had been attending services regularly, stopped going. After a few weeks, the pastor decided to visit him. It was a chilly evening. The pastor found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire. Guessing the reason for his pastor’s visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a big chair near the fireplace and waited.
The pastor made himself comfortable but said nothing. In the grave silence, he contemplated the play of the flames around the burning logs. After some minutes, the pastor took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone. Then he sat back in his chair, still silent.
The host watched all this in quiet fascination. As the one lone ember’s flame diminished, there was a momentary glow and then its fire was no more. Soon it was cold and “dead as a doornail.” Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting. Just before the pastor was ready to leave, he picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately it began to glow once more with the light and warmth of the burning coals around it.
As the pastor reached the door to leave, his host said, “Thank you so much for your visit and especially for the fiery sermon. I shall be back in church next Sunday.”
What a nice little story. But it does embody what happens when we no longer fellowship with other believers. As much as we try to keep that fire burning inside, we find ourselves feeling cold and isolated. So we turn to other things in our life to warm ourselves. It can be self pity. It can be harmful habits. It can be unhealthy relationships. But nothing warms us like the fellowship with other believers does.
I speak from experience. There have been times in my life when I have been “in between” churches, trying to find that right one. And during that time my embers got very low.
Today I want to give you six reasons why attending church regularly is important to each of us.
1) Church is a family reunion. “Then Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him. They stood outside and sent word for him to come out and talk with them. There was a crowd sitting around Jesus, and someone said, “Your mother and your brothers are outside asking for you.”
Jesus replied, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” Then he looked at those around him and said, “Look, these are my mother and brothers. Anyone who does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.” (Mark 3:31-35)
Before we get too rattled about what Jesus said let’s understand the situation. We wasn’t being cold toward his earthly family or disrespecting his mother. That would have been a sin. He knew the purpose for the visit was to take him home. His brothers did not believe his claim to be the Son of God anymore than anyone else did. They had brought mom as a leverage point.
But Jesus wanted everyone to understand that when they became a believer, they became a part of the family. The Bible says we are adopted into his family making us his brothers and sisters. (Romans 8:15). Therefore we are his Father’s children and joint heirs with Jesus of all the riches of God’s Kingdom. (Romans 8:17)
Every time we meet together we are having a family reunion. We should be having a great time, don’t you think? All that’s missing is the fried chicken and mashed potatoes.
2) Church is a classroom. “My people are being destroyed
because they don’t know me. Since you priests refuse to know me, I refuse to recognize you as my priests. Since you have forgotten the laws of your God, I will forget to bless your children. (Hosea 4:6)
A little history lesson is necessary. God’s word was no longer being taught by the priest to the Jews. This lack of knowledge was leading to their destruction. All this responsibility lay on the shoulders of the priest, or pastors. And it would affect generations to come.
Now although this was written as a warning to the Jews we must remember that we are grafted into the same vine that they are on. And because of that we receive the same blessings and curses that were promised to them. (Romans 11:17)
Therefore I have a grave responsibility of teaching you the truth of God’s word. And you have a responsibility of being here to receive it. I will live up to my responsibility. Will you live up to yours?
The lack of knowledge of how to handle explosives could lead to you losing an arm or your life. The lack of knowledge about God’s word could be even more destructive. And it could affect your children and grandchildren.
I had a friend who never attended church. His daughter became rebellious and began living a sin-filled lifestyle. He told me how heart broken he and his wife were. He said to me “We didn’t raise her that way”. But I sadly thought “Yes, you did.”
3) Church is a refuge “So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.” (Hebrews 6:18-19)
According to the dictionary the word refuge means “a source of help, relief, or comfort in times of trouble.” The church is place to seek help when you have a need. The church is a place when you need relief from a burden. The church is a place to find comfort when you are hurting. We are commanded to place the needs of others ahead of our own needs.
Reality is that there are times when the church can not fulfill your physical needs in a particular situation. Perhaps we can’t provide for all your needs. Perhaps we can share your burden but can’t totally carry it. Perhaps we can relieve some of your pain but can’t make you pain free.
But God says He can. And God can’t lie. But God will first deal with the issues affecting your soul, your eternal being. He desires to meet the needs of your soul first. He wants to relieve your soul of the burden of sin that weighs you down. He wants to ease the pain of guilt by forgiving you for all your sins. He wants you in his presence. The church is the place to be to seek this promise of refuge.
4) Church is a billboard “The only letter of recommendation we need is you yourselves. Your lives are a letter written in our hearts; everyone can read it and recognize our good work among you. Clearly, you are a letter from Christ showing the result of our ministry among you. This “letter” is written not with pen and ink, but with the Spirit of the living God. It is carved not on tablets of stone, but on human hearts.” (2 Corinthians 3:2-3)
May I make this personal for a moment? I want to re-read this to you from me. “The only letter of recommendation I need is you yourselves. Your lives are a letter written in my heart; everyone can read it and recognize my good work among you. Clearly, you are a letter from Christ showing the result of my ministry among you. This “letter” is written not with pen and ink, but with the Spirit of the living God. It is carved not on tablets of stone, but on human hearts.”
I thank you for your support for the past two years. The things you have learned from my teaching have impacted your life. People see it. I don’t need a letter of recommendation from some organization or some man. I have you and that’s enough.
We are a walking billboard for the church. We influence people’s viewpoint about church reality. You are a letter from Jesus written to the world. You commitment or lack of will speak volumes to those trying to figure out the importance of church. As one who has not always been a believer it was the commitment of those who were to the church and their dedication to attend on a regular bases that drove me to check it out.
5) Church is a celebration “Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous. God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant. So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 5:18-21)
Through Jesus we are in right standing with God. Through his sacrifice we are considered righteous, as if we never sinned. Now we have God’s grace. I love this definition of grace; “A favor rendered by one who need not do so.” God said “I—yes, I alone—will blot out your sins for my own sake and will never think of them again. (Isaiah 43:25) God was under no obligation to do this. He did so because He desired to do so.
Adam’s one act brought us spiritual death. Jesus one act brought us a new life. Adam’s one act caused us to be sinners. Jesus one act allowed us to be saints. Sin ruled over people. Grace now rules.
What greater to celebrate? We have a new, eternal life. We have grace more than efficient enough to cover all of our sins. We are winners in every aspect of life. Praise him church.
6) Church is “Jesus time” “Ask me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come.”(Jeremiah 33:3)
We serve a God who reveals secrets. (Daniel 2:28) Not the embarrassing kind but the kind that will draw you closer to him. I think the biggest question people have is “What is God’s will in my life?” The church is where you find that answer.
“Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. To everyone who is victorious I will give some of the manna that has been hidden away in heaven. And I will give to each one a white stone, and on the stone will be engraved a new name that no one understands except the one who receives it.” (Revelation 2:17)
God’s will for your life is for you to be victorious. He wants you to win over your sins and failures. You do this by accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior. If you have never done this or don’t understand what that means, then please talk to me before you leave.
God will for your life is for you to learn more about him. God calls it manna, spiritual food. It has been hidden away just for you in heaven so that you and Jesus could share in this spiritual meal. And this buffet table is found in the church.
God’s will for your life is for you to discover who you really are. God has given you a new name that reflects who you really are to him. You discover this new name through serving him. And the beauty of this secret is He will not reveal it to anyone but you. And He does this through his church.
So what is church good for? It’s a place of family time, celebration, and sitting with Jesus. It’s a classroom that will prepare you to face life. It’s a safe haven where you will not be judged. It’s a chance for you to be a reflection of the light of Jesus in a dark world. What is it good for? Everything.
