THE CHURCH
Do I Need To Go To Church?
There are so many Christians who enjoy attending church, but there are also those who do not.
Staying at home and finding alternative ways to practice their religion, such as prayer, mindfulness, and personal Bible reading has become increasingly common among Christians.
Many people who don't go to church on a regular basis or at all question why they should if they have a connection to god.
Although not attending church will not condemn you to hell or diminish God's love for you, it is not what God intended for His people and may stifle spiritual development.
The Church Is Not a Building.
First, it's critical to grasp the concept of church in order to comprehend why God cares if we go to church. The church is generally thought of as a structure used for public Christian worship, but the biblical description describes it as a group of people.
The term "church" appears many times in the Bible. For starters, it's called Christ's body. A local assembly or community of believers is also known as the church. “To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and appointed to be His holy ones, and all those out there who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ – their Lord and our Lord: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,” writes Paul, who was appointed to be an apostle of Jesus Christ by God's will (1 Corinthians 1:2). This is only one example of how the church can be represented as a business or assembly.
The church is then identified as a living, human group of believers. “For you have learned about my former way of life in Judaism, how fiercely I persecuted the church of God and sought to kill it,” Paul says while preaching the Gospel after hearing it through revelation from Jesus Christ (Galatians 1:13).
“For I am the least of the apostles, and I do not even merit to be considered an apostle because I persecuted the church of God,” Paul continued (1 Corinthians 15:9). All of these passages indicate that the church is a living entity.
Finally, it is described as the universal community of all people in history who have trusted Christ. “And I remind you that you are Peter, and on this rock, I will create my church, and all the forces of hell will not overtake it,” Jesus said after Peter confesses Christ (Matthew 16:18).
Bible Quote
You are Peter, a rock. This is the rock on which I will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out.
Matthew 16:18
Why The Church Is Vital For Believers
We will see from these instances that church isn't something that we do on our own. It's something we all do together. Not just what you do by yourself, but also what you do for others, is a vital part of the Christian life.
The church is referred to in the Bible as the "family of God." We consider a family to be a group of people who are equally dependent on one another. The church is in the same boat. We are negating what God wants for His people: community if we do not attend church.
One of the reasons we believe God values church is that it is what Jesus did. “[Jesus] returned to Nazareth, where He had been raised, and on the Sabbath day he went into the temple, as was His custom,” the Bible says (Luke 4:16).
This was in accordance with the Ten Commandments, the fourth of which was to "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it sacred." As disciples of Christ, we are obligated to follow in Jesus' footsteps. We, as followers of Jesus, should go to church in the same way he did. God has commanded us to do so.
Bible Quotes
Let us not neglect our church meetings, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his coming back again is drawing near.
Hebrews 10:25
Choosing a Church.
God wants us to go to church because it’s a good habit. The Bible says, “Some people have gotten out of the habit of meeting for worship. But we must not do that. We should keep on encouraging each other, especially since you know that the day of the Lord’s coming is getting closer” (Hebrews 10:25).
Scripture tells us that it is a good habit to regularly attend church and worship. Church is important for fellowship. It is also a place where we come together to not only hear God’s Word, but also encourage each other. We do this not only through prayer, but also by being involved in classes, groups and serving where we get to know, pray, help and encourage others on an intimate level.
Church is a good habit and when it is a regular part of our practice, we benefit and those who we are in community with benefit as well.
Try Before Committing.
Once we become Christians, we don't just go to church because it's a good habit to grow in spiritual maturity. We become members of a church because it is what Christ has called us to do and who He has created us to be – members of His soul. We are in unity with Christ while we are in union with other believers.
There are many explanations why Christians dislike or refuse to attend church. Some of the arguments are valid. It's cause for concern if your local church isn't based on Scripture and isn't focused on Christ.
Whether money dominates the church and is used irresponsibly, or if the church teaches false doctrine, the church is not following the New Testament's guidelines.
If you've experienced any of these issues, it's time to leave your current church to find a new one. It's time to explore where your heart is and why you're shutting yourself off from the church.
Many people avoid worship because they don't like the style of worship or purpose because it makes them uncomfortable.
Moreover, as Christians, we are invited to be members of a group of believers. It will stifle your spiritual development if you deny parts of the body of Christ.
The church is a place where we go to be motivated to live more Godly lives, to discover our sense of mission, and to fashion our lives after Jesus'. The church teaches us that we are here to honor and love one another.
Make church participation a priority rather than something you do once in a while or never at all. It is an integral part of who we are as Christians.
It's true, there are a million other activities we might be doing on a Sunday, but none of them are more important than being in fellowship and serving others. This is exactly what God desires for you.
5 STEPS TO CHOOSING THE RIGHT CHURCH
1. Does this church believe in the essentials of the Christian faith?
Jesus is God's Son and the One and Only Path to God (1 John 4:15; John 1:1; John 14:6).
The Holy Spirit influenced the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16).
God pardons our sins and grants us eternal life as a gift of his goodness (1 John 1:9; John 3:16).
Salvation is a gift, not a right (Ephesians 2:8).
It is true that there is a heaven and a hell (Revelation 21:4-12).
Keep looking if the church you're attending doesn't believe all of these beliefs or accepts the Bible as God's Word. When it comes to fake teachers, the Bible uses some pretty blunt words (2 Corinthians 11:1-14, 2 Peter 2).
2. Does this church base itself on what the Bible teaches?
The person of Jesus is the most complete revelation of God's character, and we read about Jesus from reading the Bible. As a result, the church service should be heavily influenced by Scripture, from the readings to the singing, prayer, and message.
It should serve as the foundation for all the church preaches, teaches, and does. The church will refocus your spirit by adding biblical truths, helping you to feel more like Jesus.
3. Does it align with my biblical convictions?
The fact that there are so many different types of churches is due to the fact that each one focuses on a different element of the Christian faith. That isn't to say that one form of faith is "more godly" than another.
Each denomination complements the others by focusing on various aspects of God and his call. So take the time to research the Bible and pray and ascertain what you believe about the facets of the religion that are most important to you, recognizing that the best way to find a church that shares your values is to study the Bible and pray..
4. Does it help me to worship God?
The type of music in a church, the vocabulary used in the sermon, and even the way prayers are said can often take your attention away from what you're there for: to worship God with other Christians.
If the way things are handled in a particular church culture irritates you on a regular basis, it might not be the right fit for you. If you continue to attend, these minor annoyances are likely to become increasingly annoying over time.
5. Can my family get involved?
Being a member of a church — not only attending but also participating — is a way of serving God. - Each of us will have talents, abilities, or attributes that can contribute to the life of the church. Find out what your talents are and whether you can put them to good use at this church.
If you have youngsters, think about whether or not the church provides incentives for them to love and obey Jesus. There are defects in every church. As a result, don't be disappointed if you can't find "the ideal church"... it doesn't exist.
If you've been looking for a church for more than a few weeks, it may be better to only pick one and stick with it. Simply by investing in a church, you can make it a good match. But it's a place in which we can take a break from our hectic lives for a few moments, marvel at what God has accomplished, and gain knowledge about him with a small group of his family.
It's a place that reminds us that we weren't made to face life's challenges alone. It's also a place where God might use us to bless others while also blessing us.
Accept Jesus Today
Are you ready to transform your life today and start anew with the power and glory of God by your side?
The process of obtaining salvation is very simple. For anyone to be saved, he or she must confess Jesus Christ as Lord through faith.
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