9 Reasons You Need the Church

You might be wondering why you should go to church...You're missing out if you aren't going to church regularly! You need it. And the church needs you.Well, let's start by a definition. Let's define church.   The word church in the Bible comes from the Greek word ecclesia. Which means a group of people. (NOT necessarily a building!)Church is more than the time between 10:30-Noon on Sunday mornings. There are things you can't get from watching sermons from televangelists or on Youtube.And that's people.Relationships are what sometimes keep people away from church (I've been hurt by Christians in churches) but really? Relationships are the benefit of church, even through the hurts. 

When you are part of a local body of believers, you have some amazing benefits.

• It's having people praying for you.
• Meeting people who will encourage you and lift you up.
• It's having a pastor who will willingly take on your spiritual struggles and counsel you.
• Knowing a car mechanic who won't take advantage of you because he sits in your aisle.
• It's the opportunity to serve God to the people in your community.

You CANNOT be a Bible-believing Christian who doesn't attend some kind of gathering of believers larger than your biological family.Does that seem harsh? Let me explain. 

Here are 10 reasons from the Bible that you are missing out if you aren't going to church.

Why You Should Go To Church#1: Christ gave you a gift that the church needs. The church will not work as it should if you are not a part of a local body of believers.

"Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers.  Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ." Ephesians 4:11-12  

Why You Should Go To Church#2:The gathering of Christians is known as Christ's bride. Marriage is a commitment through thick and thin!

"For I am jealous for you with the jealousy of God himself. I promised you as a pure bride to one husband—Christ." 1 Corinthians 11:2 

Why You Should Go To Church#3: Meeting together means everyone in the church gets more mature.

Yes, we have conflicts with each other, but that's God's design for us to become more like Christ."Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth." Ephesians 4:14  

Why You Should Go To Church#4: The church is supposed to be autonomous in how it settles its conflicts... and we are supposed to someday judge angels as a group.

You shouldn't stop attending churches altogether when you are hurt but should seek help from within the church or perhaps from another church (in certain circumstances)."Don’t you realize that we will judge angels? So you should surely be able to resolve ordinary disputes in this life." 1 Corinthians 20:6  

Why You Should Go To Church#5 God needs you to be a part of church because He uses you to reveal more about Himself to others.

WOW, this one is amazing!"A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other." 1 Corinthians 12:7  

Why You Should Go To Church#6: The first Christians (after Christ ascended into Heaven) did EVERYTHING together! They are our example!

Living together has serious benefits. I get things I need from the body of Christ (baby clothes, meals when I'm sick, rides if my car is broke down) and I give things that others need (counseling, piano lessons, and I help lead worship on Sunday mornings.)"All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer."  Acts 2:42 

Why You Should Go To Church#7: When you gather together, you will have amazing experiences and will be totally in awe at God's work in both your life and other's lives.

Going to church means that I open myself up for God's work in my life.

"A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders." Acts 2:43

Why You Should Go To Church#8: God is our father, so other Christians are your brothers and sisters. 

Family has it's drama, but when the Holy Spirit is among you, you will

"May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace." Philippians 1:2

Why You Should Go To Church#9: When you go to church, you can ask both the pastor and others in the church for spiritual and other life advice.

People grow best when they grow together. 

"The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens toadvice." Proverbs 12:15

So...what do you think?

 

Getting along means more than just getting along. It means gaining relationships, true friendships, advice, sometimes professional services, becoming closer to God.But most importantly, it honors God when we get along and meet together. God knows that we won't get along every time we meet. That's why He wants us to do it!Check out these two important passages in case you weren't already convinced.   

What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don't they come from the evil desires at war within you? James 4:1

And:

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

You need the church.

And it needs you.

  P.S. Pray for your pastor. God gave him a heart for the people in his community. And sometimes he might get discouraged. P.P.S. God loves broken people. If people are looking at you sideways from another pew on your first Sunday, it's because they are also broken. Keep at it! And introduce yourself to the pastor and maybe a few people who seem open.  

What do you think?

Do you think churches are more of a help or a harm? Have you ever been hurt by the church? Do you think that attending church regularly is important?