If we look around us and we see the lives of Christians we sometimes wonder where the life in abundances that scripture talks about is.
Our lives are supposed to be filled with joy. I’m not talking about service happiness, a “cut and paste” smile and laugh but a deep rooted joy that over comes difficulties. You may ask me what this “joy” has got to do with church attendance.
Well going to church every Sunday or twice on a Sunday or even landing there every time the doors open is not going to give you that joy but, at some level you church attendance reveals your priorities and what your first love is, and that is where your joy comes from.
In this world you got two options really either you for Christ or you’re against Him. Now again do not jump to any conclusion just yet. I’m also not saying if you do not attend Church regularly that you have chosen Christ to be you enemy.
Christians is the most miserable of people when they do not fully commit. They are Christians in half measures not fully abandoning the world but, also not fully taking Christ. So you are not happy because you just don’t fit anywhere.
Full commitment without reserve is what Christ demands, all or nothing. Slack church attendance is just another symptom of that.
Attending Church expresses our Love for God. When we attend church we publicly declare our allegiance for all to see. Church attendance displays our faith and trust in God. Mat 10:32-33; Psa.22:22.
My first object with this post is not to wrap you over the knuckles but, motivate you to full on Christianity.
The Church is an instrument He uses to support you in your Spiritual life and network of friends and support in this hostile world.
In some circles there is the saying “Those who attend the service in the morning love the preacher and those who also attend the night service love Christ.”
I believe that it is not so cut and dry but, in general this saying is very close to the truth.
One reason why we should attend church is that it is commanded by God himself.
Hebrews 10:19 25.
"Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. "
Attending church is first and formost not for us, we should not attend for what we can get out of the deal. Firstly it is to give glory to God, it is an act of obedience to Him.
By going we incourage other Christians to seek God. In the olden days the Jews could not go into the Holy Of Holy but, after Christ was made our perfect sacrifice we can enter into God throne room.
Now you could say, “but can I not enter there at any time? Can I not pray at home?” Sure you can but God has so ordained it that He is present in a special way when we are together.
If you would get inside information where you can meet with Christ on a regular basis would you not go there? Guess what the local church is just that place. We are not just obedient, the word “obedient” sometimes gives us this bad reaction. In the first place Christ is our all our first love, our first in everything. Here we have the opertunity to be in a place where Christ is present in a very special way. Yes, Christ is always with us but, He is present in a very unique way on Sunday. Matt 18:20
We as the church is called the body of Christ, so if you want to meet with Christ in special way, go where His body is already.
In Luke 10:16 we read that id we hear the preacher preech we are hearing Christ speak. (If the preacher is preaching the word and not his own day dreams, find the right Church)
The whole week we are surrounded by the enemy. The world surrounds us and inter our world uninvited in ver subtle ways we are influenced by the worlds thinking. We grow blind to the fundemental difference between what the world teaches and what the scripture teaches. Our glasses gets full of the grease of the world that we even begin thinking the Bible teaches the very same things as what the world does. The worlds standards become our standards and excuses are made for what the Bible says. The Bible is made to fit the world. The Bible is the model by which we sould judge things.
Attending church will help us confront these wrong voices. As said before if the preacher is doing his job he will educate you in what the Bibel says and you will able to decern what is truth and waht is lies.
Studying the bible in private is good an helpful and fundamental for your growth but, it can not replace the preached word. The preacher has been chosen by God, equiped by God to explain the Bible. Luk 10:16; Eph 4:11-16; 1 Tim 4:13-16; 2 Tim 4:1-5; Heb 13:17. God has granted him a special gift of preaching and teaching and he also has had special training on how to understand the Bible, he is a specialist. He has work hours just to bring you that one message. Scratch that all the reading studying he has ever done, all his ministral experience is right there in front of you that 30-45 minutes, it is bruaght all to bear, everythin comulates in that sermon, to teach, to instuct to help you grow.
We can be nourished and given spiritual food that will facilitate our growth. Our food is every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. Deut 8:3; Matt 4:4. We are too long for the word of God as a new born long for milk. 1 Pet 2:2.
Our attendance builds our Spiritual strength. By the preaching and the teaching we grow in knowledge and faith, preparing us to face difficult times in or lives and it save guards us form false teachings. Eph 6:10-18; Rom 10:17.
We must grab hold of any opportunity we can to grow in spiritual strength. In a very special way the Lord’s presence is felt at gathering of Christians. No, I’m not talking about some mumbo jumbo stuff. Christ promised special presence when two or more is gathered in the name of Jesus. Jesus is present in every believer’s heart but He promises to honor a gathering in His name in a special way. Matt 18:20
By attending Chruch we encouarge others in their walk with Christ an we are encouraged orselfs.
If we do not attend how can we encourage others? If we do not attend how can we be encouraged? If we do not make an effort, how can we say, our Christian brothers do not care for us. We must be in their mist, we must be known by others and we must know others and nothing substitutes time spend with others.
If we are to have a right relationship with God we also must have a right relationship with fellow believers. It is not possible to love God and not love our fellow belivers.1 John 2:9-10.
We also see that we are to submit to the leadership of the church. Neb 13:17. The system of accountability is there to protect us from false doctrine and to help with our spiritual growth. No, TV church can replace your pastor who loves you and knows you. Church hopping also doesn’t fly submission demands as committed relationship. 1 Thes 5:12.
In the Bible we read that God in some sepcial way “multiplies the strenght of prayes when we pray together. Matt 18:19. Lev 26:8.
Faithfully attending church is hard work and involves a degree of self-discipline. Nowhere does it say church attendance will be convenient. Christ is to be given priority above all else Col.2:18.
Church is a central part of our walk with Him on this earth.
If you would read through scriptures you will find that the individual believer is always seen as part of the local church. We are not free agents we are part of the body of Christ, no part of the body can function on its own, we need each other and we must be committed to our body or we and the body will suffer because of our selfishness. 1 Corinthians 12.
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