Should I Go to Church?

[GreatLakesGramma]

I received this in my email. None of these texts are new to us as Adventists, but I enjoyed reading it, and thought some of you might too.

Should I Go To Church?

I was confident that nowhere in the Bible did it say I should go to church.

But then I read Ephesians 4:11-13:

"It was he 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."

Then I wondered: If Christ gave pastors and teachers to prepare me for works of service, shouldn't I use them?

Then I read 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 encourage me to do what is right.

Then I read Romans 10:13b-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!' But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, 'Lord, who has believed our message?' Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ."

And I knew that Jesus sent these pastors and teachers to build my faith.

Then I read Matthew 16:18:

"'And I 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 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 His followers gather to worship Him, He joins them.

Then I read Luke 4:16a:

"He 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 himself was in the habit of attending church.

Then I read Luke 22:19:

"And he 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 out that Jesus told us to use the Lord's Supper to help us remember that He died for our sins. If I stay away from church, I am also staying away from the Lord's Supper.

I was convinced, but I wondered how I could convince my friends - I knew what they would say about going to church: "If Jesus owns the church, why can't they agree? Why so many denominations?" I searched for some answers to their objections and found this in 1 Corinthians 13:12:

"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, even as I am fully known."

And I knew that our inability to see Christ's work clearly was the reason for all these denominations. Some lean on one part of the Bible and others lean on another. I also told my friends that what really counts is what you do with Jesus.

But I knew that my friends were really disgusted with how some of the "regular" church members behaved. I didn't have a good answer, because I also was hurt by things other members did. 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 once told his followers that if they refused to forgive others, then they would not be forgiven either. (Matthew 6:14-15)

Another 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 various parts of 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 that 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 - Sunday 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:

"...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." (Mark 4:18b-19)

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (Matthew 6:33)

See you in church!

(Based on a manuscript by Benjamin H. Spalink. Scripture quoted is from the NIV.)

[doug yowell]

That was simply the perfect response. Thanks for posting that Gramma.Very good stuff.

[Woody]

Define 'church'.

[GreatLakesGramma]

Church is the body of believers, and in the context of this article, the assembling together of the body for worship and fellowship.

[Woody]

thanks GLG

[LifeHiscost]

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (Matthew 6:33)

See you in church!

(Based on a manuscript by Benjamin H. Spalink. Scripture quoted is from the NIV.)

For the sake of brevity I left out most of the article but wholeheartedly agree that the person who chooses to follow the

"pathway" as listed in it, is in "the Way".

"Jesus told him, “I am the way,.... No one can come to the Father except through me." John 14:6 NLT

"Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me." John 5:39 KJV

Blessings!!

[phkrause]

Another thing that I look at is, even though there really is not a direct quote from Jesus in the Bible, I believe each of us has said at one time or another that Jesus is our example and not to look at others, No? Well what is it that Jesus did each Sabbath, he went to temple did he not? I believe that is the example to follow. Now like someone mentioned, church is the people and not the building.

[doug yowell]

Another thing that I look at is, even though there really is not a direct quote from Jesus in the Bible, I believe each of us has said at one time or another that Jesus is our example and not to look at others, No? Well what is it that Jesus did each Sabbath, he went to temple did he not? I believe that is the example to follow. Now like someone mentioned, church is the people and not the building.

An additional GP, pk.

[phkrause]

Originally Posted By: pkrause

Another thing that I look at is, even though there really is not a direct quote from Jesus in the Bible, I believe each of us has said at one time or another that Jesus is our example and not to look at others, No? Well what is it that Jesus did each Sabbath, he went to temple did he not? I believe that is the example to follow. Now like someone mentioned, church is the people and not the building.

An additional GP, pk.

Yes! Why?

[doug yowell]

Because it was appropriate??

[phkrause]

Because it was appropriate??

[Dr. Shane]

I like this. Very well put together. I think I will use it.

[jasd]

QR frame:

Then I read: "Seek not Bethel (House of Gd)" and wonder, did Amos prophesy for our time?--what with the .orgism of today's churches.

They are no longer the ekklesia, but rather, creatures of corporate governance - chartered entities of a profane State. Or..., if you will, Caesar