To View the Video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/V5cdDB4cIsg
SHOW NOTES
Welcome to a new week of the Hope Rescue Podcast. If this is your first time visiting, welcome! This week we are answering the question “Can You be a Christian and Not Go to Church?” Tim and Kimberly will share their top seven reasons why people should go to church. Keep reading or listening to find out!
Tim and Kimberly begin by explaining the argument against going to church. Some of the top reasons for not attending church on are: Christians are hypocrites, Sunday is some people’s only day to sleep in, nobody cares about or notices me at church, and the sermons are too long,
Tim and Kimberly go on to explain seven reasons why people should go to church.
As things begin to intensify, it becomes more and more important for the body of Christ to meet together and encourage one another. Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” God gives us the directive in his Word to go to church and meet together.
God is supernaturally in our midst at church. Matthew 18:20 says, "For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” While God is always present and in our midst because He is omnipresent, when we gather in the name and authority of Jesus Christ, we experience His effectual presence. When He is present in an effectual manner, He shows up with supernatural power and gives us discernment. When we meet together as the Church, we invoke His name to give Him authority to rule over us.
As the body of Christ, the only way we can grow is when we meet together. Ephesians 4:11-13 says, “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” If the body parts are not closely connected, it is impossible for the body to grow.
We should go to church to keep from following false teaching. Ephesians 4:14 says, “so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.” When people try to understand scripture alone, they have a tendency to wander theologically and doctrinally, which can quickly lead to cults, false teaching and false churches.
The body of Christ needs to be connected. Ephesians 4:15-16 says, “Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” Not only can we not grow if we are not connected, we also cannot function properly. Imagine a body trying to function without the eyes, or a hand, or a foot. Although each body part has a different purpose, each part plays a crucial role in the function of the whole body.
The body of Christ needs to worship together. While worshiping alone is incredibly important, it is crucial that worship together as the Church. If someone is feeling exhausted after a long week, coming to church and worshipping with other believers may be the exact awakening that person needed. Author David Mathis says, "Our own awe is accentuated, our own adoration increased, our own joy doubled when we worship Jesus together."
The best way to serve is to be present. If you want to serve your church, the easiest way is to show up in person and offer your skills and time.
Going to church on Sunday does not determine our salvation, but our growth, maturity, ability to serve, opportunity to learn more about biblical truth and our connection with others are all on the line. If you are not going to church, you are missing out and your local church is missing out on you. If you don’t attend church currently, we challenge you to consistently attend and join a small group to meet and connect with other believers.
QUOTES
“Although every body part has a different purpose, each part plays a crucial role in the function of the whole body.” -Kimberly
“Going to church on Sunday does not determine our salvation, but our growth, maturity, ability to serve, opportunity to learn more about biblical truth and our connection with others are all on the line.” -Tim
REFERENCED SCRIPTURE
Hebrews 10:24-25 “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
Matthew 18:20 "For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”
Ephesians 4:11-13 “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ”
Ephesians 4:14 says, “so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.”
Ephesians 4:15-16 “Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.”
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