Why Church

Why Church

Ephesians 5: 25-32

Intro: How many of you remember the comedian Flip Wilson? For those who don’t know him, he was a ground breaking black comedian. His show ran for four years, from 1970 to 1974. He created many memorable characters in his show and one of them was a pastor of the church of the “What’s Happening Now”. He did a Skit where he told about this pastor. He’d shout out:

"IF THIS CHURCH IS GOING TO SERVE GOD IT’S GOT TO GET DOWN ON ITS KNEES AND CRAWL!!!"

And the audience yelled back "Make it crawl preacher, make it crawl!

"AND ONCE THIS CHURCH HAS LEARNED TO CRAWL, IT’S GOT TO GET UP ON ITS FEET AND WALK!!!"

"Make it walk preacher, make it walk" the audience moaned.

AND ONCE THIS CHURCH HAS LEARNED TO WALK ITS GOT TO LEARN TO RUN!!!"

"Make it run, preacher, make it run!"

"AND IN ORDER TO RUN, ITS GOT REACH DEEP DOWN INTO POCKETS AND LEARN TO GIVE!!!"

(pause) "Make it crawl preacher, make it crawl."

. Sadly, that’s what many people think about the church today.

. All they want is my money. Folks let me tell you, nothing could be further from the truth.

. Yes, the church cannot function without money, just as your household could not function without money.

. That’s not why the church exists or why you should attend.

. Today is national back to church Sunday and I want to share with you this morning Why you should come to church. Why you should commit yourself to a local church.

. Our scripture this morning is one that I usually get a lot of amen’s from the men and glares from some of the ladies.

. Paul is giving us instruction about the relationship between a husband and a wife. We usually see this text used for that.

. If you read carefully, you will see that the relationship between Jesus Christ and the church is also laid out.

. Lets read Ephesians 5: 25-33

25For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her

26to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word.

27He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault.

28In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself.

29No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church.

30And we are members of his body.

31As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.”

32This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one.

. Why Go to Church? Why should we love going to church?

. The first reason is because Jesus loves the church.

. Look at verse 25 again.

25For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her

.Jesus loved the church so much that He died for the Church.

. The Bible describes the church as the bride of Christ. From the Gospels through to The Revelation, the church is portrayed as the bride of Christ with Jesus as the bridegroom.

. Paul writes that Jesus loves his church so much that He gave his life for her.

. Yes Jesus died for us individually but He also died for the church. That’s how much he loves his church.

. You see, the church is made up of the individuals who have placed their faith and trust in him.

. We should love the church, the gathering of believers, because Jesus loves us.

. Jesus didn’t die so that we could all say yes, I believe that Jesus died for me, yes I accept this free gift of salvation and then sit on our keesters for the rest of our lives.

. Jesus died with the intention of his followers banding together to grow his church.

. The last thing Jesus said to his disciples is recorded in Matthew 28. The church was so important to him that the last command he gave us was to grow his church. To gather together and teach and be taught on how to live this Christian life.

. Look at Matthew 28: 18-20

. 18Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.

19Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.