"Why Should I Go To Church"

Psalms 122:1 (English-KJV)

1. I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.

1. Too often people view churches like they do shopping malls --- what's in it for me!
2. Young Christians particularly have become very individualistic in their spirituality. A Christian walking with Christ alone is like a soldier fighting without support.
3. Christians should enjoy and celebrate the church --- Christ died for her! This morning we want to ask the question --- "Why should I go to church?" We know that the church is not a building, but a people, therefore the question is really, "Why take the time to attend a place where the people of God come together for worship?"
   FACT: Less than half of the people who live in America are attending church today.
   FACT: Only 3 out of every 7 professing "born-again" Christians are in church today.
   FACT: Over 2,600 members of Emmanuel Baptist Church. 1500 attend weekly.
   1. Going to Church Is a Biblical Requirement For All Christians (Hebrews 10:24-25) Many believe going to church is a man-made requirement, but in reality, God commands it.Church attendance, pure and simple, is a matter of obedience to God. " . . . I will show you my faith by my actions" James 2:18.
   2. Going to Church Brings Spiritual Encouragement and Fellowship (Acts 2:42) Sharing your life with the lives of others helps bring encouragement to Christians
      1. We are encouraged by the teaching of the Word of God.
      2. We are encouraged by others who have experience similar hurts.
      3. We are encouraged by the example of others.
   3. Going to Church Expresses Obedience to the Greatest Commandment (Mark 12:28-30) How can you love the Lord Jesus Christ and neglect His instructions to meet regularly with other Christians? Is God your first love and highest priority? Or is sports? Fenelon was the court preacher for King Louis XIV of France. One day the King came to church and found nobody else present. He asked what this meant. Fenelon replied: "I advertised you would not be here today so you may know who it is that loves God and who it is that comes to church to flatter the King."
   4. Going to Church Helps Prevent Backsliding and Apostasy (Hebrews 10) The writer of Hebrews has a concern the refusal to attend church would contribute to spiritual erosion and a possible "falling away" from the faith --- called "apostasy".
   5. Going to Church Enables You to Hear the Word of God in Person (II Timothy 4:2-4) But what about those who say they attend church by listening to tapes or the radio or T.V?
      1. You can "turn off" that which makes you uncomfortable (II Timothy 4:2-4)
      2. The difference between live preaching and taped preaching is like the difference between real milk and powdered milk (I Peter 2:2).
      3. Canned preaching promotes individualism and privatization of spirituality. You may not get enough through church alone, but you'll never get enough without church.
   6. Going to Church Follows the Example of Jesus Christ (Luke 4:16) Jesus attended church "as was his custom", not just when He had nothing else to do. Many wear bracelets today which say "What would Jesus do?" Answer: He'd go to church.
   7. Going to Church is Evidence of Eternal Life within You (I John 3:14) Not going to church is an evidence of not being a member of the family of God (I John 2:19).(Source: Spiritual Disciplines Within the Church by Donald Whitney; Moody Press)
   
   Questions? Comments?
   Pastor Wade
   
   
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