Why should you go to church?

You have heard me speak about the people who attend “Bedside Baptists” on Sunday mornings. Some think it to be a joke; however, many people refuse to get near a church unless their nephew is playing the role of a wise man in the Christmas pageant! They claim they can get more out of having a cup of coffee on the front porch, playing a round of golf or going to the park than from the typical sermon.

The Bible says that we should not forsake "our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near," (Heb. 10:25).  It is wise to go to church because that is where we can go to hear the word of God preached and to experience the friendship of other believers.

The church is described as a body in I Corinthians 12, and Paul explains that each part of the body exists to meet the needs of other body parts. In the same way, God intends each of us to meet the needs of other believers, using our strengths to help in their areas of weakness. I Corinthians 12:21 expresses it this way: "The eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of you." Neither can a Christian claim to be self-sufficient today.

The New Testament is full of “one another” commands. We are to comfort one another (I Thessalonians 4:18), build up one another (I Thessalonians 5:11), confess our sins to one another (James 5:16), pray for one another (James 5:16), and many more. How can we obey these directives if we stay away from the gathering of believers?

God designed the church as a place where spiritual leaders could watch out for our welfare, as a shepherd guards the sheep (I Peter 5:1-4; Hebrews 13:17). A Christian who answers only to himself can easily rationalize sinful attitudes or actions; regular contact with other Christians can keep us sharp.

So, why should you go to church, because that is where you can hear God’s word explained and how that word can be applied to your life, you can see how God works in other people's lives, and experience the fellowship of others.