Why Should I Come Back To Church? Series

Why should I come back to Church?

Introduction:

Why do we do certain things in life? (The following taken from Scott Bayles, Pastor, First Christian Church, Rosiclare, IL)

You go to school to get an education so you can make a living.

You go to work to make money so you can pay the bills.

You go to the gym for exercise and better health.

You go to the mall to shop for clothes and the grocery store to buy food.

You go to the lake to fish, the ball game to cheer, and golf course for fun.

But church? Why go to there? Why get up early on one of your few off-days? Why go through the hassle of dressing up and the getting the kids ready? Why go to the trouble of finding a parking space near the front or the back?

Why go to church?

If you’ve ever found yourself wondering about that little question, you’re not alone. Surveys tell us that as many as 79% of Americans identify themselves as Christians, yet only 20% of Americans attend church regularly. I guess some people look at going to church as a bother—an unnecessary burden to be avoided whenever possible—a perfectly good hour wasted in order to keep a wife or a preacher or a parent off their backs. Others see it as sort of like punching a spiritual clock or earning brownie points with their Maker.

But to someone who understands church and what it’s really all about, going to church can be the most spiritually fulfilling, inspiring thing you do all week.

The Book of Acts tells the story of how the church got started. Fifty days after Jesus rose from the dead, he sent the Holy Spirit to empower his disciples. They went out and began preaching about the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus—the Good News. Millions of people listened, thousands believed. Then at the end of Acts 2, we find this short snapshot of what life was like in the early church:

“Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all. All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:41-47 NLT)

Sounds like an amazing place and I would love to be in a church like this! Wouldn’t you?

We are also encouraged in Hebrews 10:25 to persevere in going to church: It states, “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.”

This is my message to encourage you to reconsider or even consider church as a major part of your life and growth in the spiritual dimension of life.

I was praying Tuesday morning asking the Holy Spirit to give me the message for Sunday. What do I say to people who have decided to give church a chance again or even for the first time? I looked at my Bible sitting on the front row of the seats by the window and the pages were blowing from one to one. I heard a small quiet voice say, ‘Mike walk over to the Bible because the pages will stop blowing on the page and chapter you are to speak on.

That chapter was Psalm 72 - let’s read it.

Psalm 72

1Endow the king with your justice, O God, the royal son with your righteousness.

2May he judge your people in righteousness, your afflicted ones with justice.

3May the mountains bring prosperity to the people, the hills the fruit of righteousness.

4May he defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy; may he crush the oppressor.

5May he endure as long as the sun, as long as the moon, through all generations.

6May he be like rain falling on a mown field, like showers watering the earth.

7In his days may the righteous flourish and prosperity abound till the moon is no more.

8May he rule from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth.

9May the desert tribes bow before him and his enemies lick the dust.