Why Go To Church?

[Lineman]

A Church goer wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper and complained that it made no sense to go to church every week.

"I've gone for 30 years now," he wrote, "and in that time I have heard something like 3,000 sermons. But for the life of me, I can't remember a single one of them. So, I think I'm wasting my time and the pastors are wasting theirs by giving sermons at all."

What would you say to this person?

Why do you go to church?

[darlene]

If we go to church should we not go to worship God? Those who go just to hear a sermon are going for the wrong reason. I will admit though that the sermon should tell us more about God. If we don't learn something new about God from a sermon, then perhaps the sermon was made and preached for the wrong reason.

I've been thinking more and more about my worship of God in church. Worship of God is the part I play in church.

[fccool]

Hmm, there's no indication Biblically that worship can only be done in church, so worship is not the primary purpose of it. I think we get the wrong idea that God sets up certain houses "of worship" outside of which worship does not count somehow.

To which part of service do you refer as "worship?". I would argue that worship constitutes the way that we live, not something that we do a couple of hours on Saturday.

The purpose of the local church (ecclesia... means gathering) serves several functions.

Quote:

may we hold fast the unwavering profession of the hope, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as a custom of certain [is], but exhorting, and so much the more as ye see the day coming nigh.

One of the purpose is uplifting and encouraging each other in faith. God teaches us to take care of one another. That would be difficult if we don't know each other's problems and don't meet.

Another reason is for organization. No man is an Island, and as an organization of Spirit gifted people, we can do God's work more effectively than doing it on our own:

Quote:

4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:

If you go to the church for sermons and some singing... then you totally miss the point of what it's for. I think it's fairly clear that studying God's word is a personal responsibility of each believer. I don't want to degrade the importance of sound teaching and encouragement from the pulpit, but Bible does not give us a clear "Church service layout" to follow. Thus, I think that a Sabbath school classes are far more beneficial to learning and growth than a sermon can be.

But, overall, the purpose of the church is to organize believers into a community. Thus the community of believers is a church, not the building where they meet. Accordingly, the purpose of the church derives from it's function...

1) To meet and encourage each other in faith

2) Organize a community that shares resources to help both members and strangers in need.

3) To learn from each other and people who have better understanding of God's word (discipleship)

[Neil D]

Well, If I had been going to the same church for 30 years, I would be going for fellowshiping....

But it is soo hard to break in, by yourself, and make friends again....especially when you are starting out new....

[fccool]

Neil, it's nice to have you back conversing BTW. I can with all honesty say that I've missed your presence here for a while.

[Woody]

Perhaps if one is not getting anything from the sermon .... one should look carefully at ones self. I am able to get something from even the worst sermon. It inspires me to look into different topics even if the sermon was wrong. This all is IF you are being in fellowship with God during the sermon. Instead of the preacher speaking to you ... God can be speaking to you ... if you allow Him.

Of course .... nowadays .... I only hear GREAT sermons. You all should come to MY church for a good sermon.

[Woody]

Yes dgrimm60 .... When I am really in tune with God during a sermon .... God will change the words and thoughts that I hear. I go away blessed and feeling the sermon was great. But it was not the sermon ... it was God speaking directly to me even though it was not in the sermon. So, I hear something totally different than anyone else.

[phkrause]

agreed redwood. I actually prefer SS, because you get to exchange ideas etc. I remember someone once saying its what you bring of your self to the get together. Not just what you want and go home with nothing. And also like Neil mentioned, the fellowship with others.

pk

[aldona]

A Church goer wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper and complained that it made no sense to go to church every week.

"I've gone for 30 years now," he wrote, "and in that time I have heard something like 3,000 sermons. But for the life of me, I can't remember a single one of them. So, I think I'm wasting my time and the pastors are wasting theirs by giving sermons at all."

What would you say to this person?

Go on, tell the rest of the story (I recognise this one from my days as church bulletin editor).

Someone else wrote back and said "I have been married for 30 years, and in that time my wife has cooked me nearly 30,000 meals. For the life of me, I cannot remember the exact details of what was in most of them. But I know this: if not for those meals, I would not be alive today. They have preserved my life and health, and given me nourishment."

aldona

[Morepork]

Yes, I have read the whole story before, and it's a good one.

I wonder who I would be, if I hadn't gone to church for the last 30 years?

Going to church gives you all the skills you need to hang on in there, to grow patience, to practice forgiveness - the list goes on.

[LifeHiscost]

But, overall, the purpose of the church is to organize believers into a community. Thus the community of believers is a church, not the building where they meet. Accordingly, the purpose of the church derives from it's function...

1) To meet and encourage each other in faith

2) Organize a community that shares resources to help both members and strangers in need.

3) To learn from each other and people who have better understanding of God's word (discipleship)

"What prayer and supplication soever be made by any man, or by all thy people Israel, which shall know every man the plague of his own heart, and spread forth his hands toward this house" 1 Kings 8:38 KJV

"And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer?"

Mark 11:17 KJV

Regards!

[LifeHiscost]

HEY ALL

there is a bible ver that says as time nears the end

we need to be in fellowship with one and other. I AM not

sure were it exactly is in the bible...

why do we need this fellowship with one another it is

to draw strength from other believers....

dgrimm60

"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."

Hebrews 10:25 KJV

Blessings!

[LifeHiscost]

Originally Posted By: Lineman

A Church goer wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper and complained that it made no sense to go to church every week.

"I've gone for 30 years now," he wrote, "and in that time I have heard something like 3,000 sermons. But for the life of me, I can't remember a single one of them. So, I think I'm wasting my time and the pastors are wasting theirs by giving sermons at all."

What would you say to this person?

Go on, tell the rest of the story (I recognise this one from my days as church bulletin editor).

Someone else wrote back and said "I have been married for 30 years, and in that time my wife has cooked me nearly 30,000 meals. For the life of me, I cannot remember the exact details of what was in most of them. But I know this: if not for those meals, I would not be alive today. They have preserved my life and health, and given me nourishment."

aldona

And so said the Spirit of the Lord. Thanks, Aldona>

Blessings!