Should I Go To Church? (#101)
Bible version used: NIV
#101 SHOULD I GO TO CHURCH?
I once thought, “I don’t have to go to church to be a Christian.”
But a pastor challenged me to find out for myself what the Bible said about churches and pastors and he gave me a list of helpful texts.
I started by reading Ephesians 4:11-13: It was he (Jesus) who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. And I learned that Jesus gives special gifts to the church to help me grow as a Christian.
Then I looked up Hebrews 10:24, 25: And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 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. And I realized that being together with other Christians is how God intends to help me cope with life and encourage me to do what is right.
Then I read Romans 10:13-17: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”. . . Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. And I learned that Jesus sent these pastors and teachers to build my faith.
I read Matthew 16:18, 19: “And I (Jesus) tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” And I discovered that the church is more than a group of believers. I realized that Jesus built the church, owns it and protects it.
Then I read Matthew 18:20: “For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” And I found that when believers gather to worship, it is an event of such importance that Jesus joins them, no matter how small the gathering.
I looked up Luke 4:16: He (Jesus) went to Nazareth where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And I discovered that Jesus was in the habit of attending church.
I also read Luke 22:19: And he (Jesus) took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”
And I found that Jesus told us to use the Lord’s supper to help us remember that he died for our sins. When I stay away from church, I miss that important event.
I was convinced, but I wondered how I could convince my friends–I knew what they would say about going to church: “If the church belongs to Jesus, why can’t Christians agree–why so many denominations?” I searched for some answers to their objections and found this in 1 Corinthians 13:12-13: Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully. . . Then I realized that our inability to see Christ’s work clearly was one reason for all these denominations. Some lean on one part of the Bible and others lean on another. I told my friends that what really counts is what they do with Jesus.
My friends reminded me how poorly some church members behaved. I didn’t have a good answer because I also was hurt by the judgmental and selfish behavior of some Christians. But then I read Ephesians 4:32: Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. And I knew that forgiveness was so important to Jesus that he told his followers that if they refused to forgive others, then they would not be forgiven either. (Matthew 6:14, 15)
One of my friends said to me: “I don’t need others to have a relationship with God. I can be a Christian by myself.” So I showed him what the Bible said in 1 Corinthians 12: Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. . . The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!”. . . There should be no division in the body, but its parts should have equal concern for each other. . . Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.
Their final objection was the biggest: “We are too busy–the weekend is the only chance we have to relax and enjoy ourselves.” I recognized it as a big issue because I felt this way myself at times.
Then I remembered what Jesus said about priorities in Mark 4:18: Jesus said to them . . . “Others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.” And in Matthew 6:33 Jesus said:“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” So I told my friends that the secret of a successful life is to put God first.
I’ll see you in church!