Why Do We "Go to Church"?

Well here we are again! It’s nice to see each and everyone of you. Most of us were here in this same place last week. And, most of us will be here in this same place next week, Lord willing. Some may cynically say we’re in a rut. I mean we’ve gotten into this habit of doing the same thing Sunday after Sunday. We come in greet a few people…find our seat which is usually the same spot we sat last week. God forbid that some wandering visitor come in and sit in our spot. We have a prayer and sing a few songs. We observe the Lord’s Supper then we receive an offering. The preacher takes his turn next and orates longer than we’d really like for him to. We have a closing prayer and greet a few people before loading into our cars and heading off for Sunday Dinner. That’s what we did last week. That’s most likely what we’ll do next week. Why do we do it? Why do we come to church? What does that mean anyway?

(Illus. With apologies to Shakespeare)…I’m sure you are familiar with that famous statement from Shakespeare’s character Macbeth, “To be or not to be…that is the question” in , scene 1. Well, someone with too much time on their hands has come up with a companion soliloquy with regard to church attendance...

To go or not to go to church, that is the question. Is it easier to sleep late on Sunday morning and indulge oneself in laziness, or to take up arms against the sea of desires, and by opposing, calm it? To rest, to sleep, nothing more: and by a sleep to say we end the thousand invitations the church is continually sounding. ‘Tis a consummation devoutly to be wished. But such a sleep—‘tis the spirit’s morphia, the soul’s anesthetic, Satan’s slumber. To rest, to sleep, to dream! Aye, there’s the rub; for in that sleep what dreams may come? Who would bear the whips and scourges of conscience, drift on to hell, think of others climbing duty’s golden steps to glory? ‘Tis to dream of sorrows unsoothed, temptations unchecked, songs unsung, prayers unsaid, God not worshiped, His Word unheeded, the Son dishonored, the Sprit resisted, the church forsaken, the world fortified in sin. Is not this to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune? To wake, to rise, to move, to get to Bible School and church—aye, this is the task for brave, persistent, far-seeing souls. To go or not to go to church—why should it be a question?

And, really it should not be a question! As believers we know why we’re here. Where else would we be on the “first day of the week.” We are following a tradition that goes back almost 2,000 years as followers of Jesus have committed themselves to observe the Lord’s Day by assembling together to worship, to pray, to fellowship, to sing, to give, to feed on God’s Word. What we would do on the first day of the week was settled when we became a Christian.

There is a bit of a problem with this term we use. “Go to church” or “come to church.” Surely we all know that this building is not the church. It is a building where the church, the body of Christ, gathers for worship. We can have church together outside. It’s a lot more comfortable in here and there are far less gnats to worry about. But we are the church. We should also clarify that worship doesn’t have to take place in this building. In fact we can worship anywhere and everywhere and we should. Worship is not to end when the church leaves this building. But here we are gathered as a body of believers, as the church, to worship the Living God.

And, I think it behooves us to consider our activity…to examine our tradition…to ponder this odd habit of ours to turn aside from normal activity of the week and engage in something very special…something precious…something “other worldly”, if you please.

The word worship literally means: “to ascribe value or worth to someone because we consider him to be worth of homage or reverence.” Chuck Swindoll offers a word of warning, “We are often so caught up in our own activities that we tend to worship our work…work at our play and play at our worship. In light of that it is good for us to step back and look at what we do when we say we worship or when we are “at church.”

I mentioned earlier that God’s people have been doing this for almost 2,000 years. Actually, the practice of spending regular time in worship at a designated place has gone on for much longer than that. God’s people even in the Old Testament had set times for worship and they gathered together for times of corporate worship in a designated place.

Let’s have a moment of OT Bible Study. Open your Bibles to the Book of Psalms. Psalms is the Hymnbook of the Old Testament Hebrews. There’s a special section of the Psalms that I want you to learn about this morning. It begins at and goes for 15 Psalms to 134. Now if you will look at the heading of these 15 Psalms you will note the words, A Song of Ascents. These 15 Psalms comprise what are called the Pilgrim Psalms . These are the songs that the pilgrims on their way up to Jerusalem to worship would sing as they drew near. They were preparing their hearts and minds to engage in worship.

Preparation is an important part of worship. People prepare for everything else…footballs teams practice and even have a pre-game meal; pregnant women have a bag packed. Fishermen make sure they have bait and tackle ready. We prepare for things that are important to us. It is important that we prepare ourselves to “draw near to God” in worship.

This morning I want us to focus on a Psalm that is not part of these 15 but illustrates the attitude of those who would make that pilgrimage to worship. It is a Psalm that, I think, captures both for them and for us the kind of attitude or frame of mind we need to truly make our weekly experience in this place a time of joy, blessing and genuine fellowship with God and our spiritual family.

Text:

How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty!

My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord;

my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.

Even the sparrow has found a home

and the swallow a nest for herself,

where she may have her young—

a place near your altar,

O Lord Almighty, my King and my God.

Blessed are those who dwell in your house;

they are ever praising you.

Introduction: Observations on the text:

1. Yes, these words are found in the Old Testament so they express attitudes that were directed towards worship in the Temple at Jerusalem. Yet, are these words not appropriate in expressing our experience in corporate worship on the Lord’s Day?

2. Note the “hunger and thirsting” for God expressed in this passage. Is that our experience? Is this what we feel when we prepare to make our journey to worship on the Lord’s Day?

3. Note also the expression of awe concerning God: He is Lord Almighty...Lord Sabaoth, “Lord of Hosts”...He is King...He is “my God.”

4. This blessing is available for those who share the experience of praise with God’s people. In another Psalm (122) the Psalmist says, “I was glad when they said to me ‘let us go up to the house of the Lord.’” Is that our attitude this morning? Are we glad to be here?

Illus. During one of his visits to the United States, the famous Scottish preacher, James S. Stewart was asked his general opinion of the American churches. Without a moment’s hesitation he said, “They have lost the thrill of worship!” I hope that’s not true of us! If it is…we need to recapture the thrill of worshiping a Loving, Living God who is worthy of our best when we worship!

One of the clearest NT passages that answer our question today comes from Hebrews chapter 10:

Illus. With apologies to Shakespeare...

To go or not to go to church, that is the question. Is it easier to sleep late on Sunday morning and indulge oneself in laziness, or to take up arms against the sea of desires, and by opposing, calm it? To rest, to sleep, nothing more: and by a sleep to say we end the thousand invitations the church is continually sounding. ‘Tis a consummation devoutly to be wished. But such a sleep—‘tis the spirit’s morphia, the soul’s anesthetic, Satan’s slumber. To rest, to sleep, to dream! Aye, there’s the rub; for in that sleep what dreams may come? Who would bear the whips and scourges of conscience, drift on to hell, think of others climbing duty’s golden steps to glory? ‘Tis to dream of sorrows unsoothed, temptations unchecked, songs unsung, prayers unsaid, God not worshiped, His Word unheeded, the Son dishonored, the Sprit resisted, the church forsaken, the world fortified in sin. Is not this to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune? To wake, to rise, to move, to get to Bible School and church—aye, this is the task for brave, persistent, far-seeing souls. To go or not to go to church—why should it be a question?

One of the clearest NT passages that answer our question today comes from Hebrews chapter 10:

New Living Translation Chapter 10

19 And so, dear brothers and sisters,* we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. 20 By his death,* Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. 21 And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, 22 let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.

23 Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. 24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

To go or not to go to church, that is the question. Is it easier to sleep late on Sunday morning and indulge oneself in laziness, or to take up arms against the sea of desires, and by opposing, calm it? To rest, to sleep, nothing more: and by a sleep to say we end the thousand invitations the church is continually sounding. ‘Tis a consummation devoutly to be wished. But such a sleep—‘tis the spirit’s morphia, the soul’s anesthetic, Satan’s slumber. To rest, to sleep, to dream! Aye, there’s the rub; for in that sleep what dreams may come? Who would bear the whips and scourges of conscience, drift on to hell, think of others climbing duty’s golden steps to glory? ‘Tis to dream of sorrows unsoothed, temptations unchecked, songs unsung, prayers unsaid, God not worshiped, His Word unheeded, the Son dishonored, the Sprit resisted, the church forsaken, the world fortified in sin. Is not this to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune? To wake, to rise, to move, to get to Bible School and church—aye, this is the task for brave, persistent, far-seeing souls. To go or not to go to church—why should it be a question?

What better motivation for consistent church attendance can one find? Yet, there is abundant light that is shed on our need for attendance at worship that comes from this beautiful Psalm as well. Let’s consider three wonderful answers to our question from . Let me suggest three important things...

I. We “go to church” because there is something in the soul that cries out to be touched by God (vs. 2)

. 2 I long, yes, I faint with longing

to enter the courts of the LORD.

With my whole being, body and soul,

I will shout joyfully to the living God.

A. We live in a world which has been violated by sin (). A quick flashback to the Garden of Eden reminds us that our world which was created “very good” became tarnished by disobedience of our first parents and the sin that entered. There is, I think, inherent within each of us a yearning for the kind of fellowship that Adam and Eve had with God in the Garden of Eden.

New Living Translation Chapter 3

And to the man he said,

“Since you listened to your wife and ate from the tree

whose fruit I commanded you not to eat,

the ground is cursed because of you.

All your life you will struggle to scratch a living from it.

18 It will grow thorns and thistles for you,

though you will eat of its grains.

19 By the sweat of your brow

will you have food to eat

until you return to the ground

from which you were made.

For you were made from dust,

and to dust you will return.”

A. We live in a world which has been violated by sin ().

B. With the touch of sin comes a troubled heart and a restless soul (,) Let’s think for a moment about Jesus. The Bible says that Jesus is the same “yesterday, today and forever.” That means that he is holy. He always has been, is now and always will be holy. We have the testimony of Scripture that the man, Jesus, while he was here on planet earth was “without sin.” He was perfect…yet, all around him was imperfection. He was holy, yet, all around him was unholiness. He was pure, yet, all around him was impurity. That’s why we see Jesus maintaining a close fellowship with his Father in heaven…he would retreat to a quiet place to pray sometimes spending all night in prayer. Jesus knew that he needed to maintain that close fellowship with his Father while he was here surrounded by the effect of sin and the presence of evil.

B. With the touch of sin comes a troubled heart and a restless soul (,)

By that same token, you and I live in a world that has been adversely affected by sin and we, too, must retreat from that world from time to time to have fellowship with our Father and with fellow believers. We would starve spiritually without this retreat.

New Living Translation Chapter 8

22 For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children,* including the new bodies he has promised us.

B. With the touch of sin comes a troubled heart and a restless soul (,)

C. God can REACH and TOUCH what we cannot (,).

New Living Translation Chapter 8

22 For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children,* including the new bodies he has promised us.

C. God can REACH and TOUCH what we cannot (,). C.S. Lewis refers to this verse in terms of “one’s appetite for God.” There is within our souls a craving for relationship with God. There is a “God-Shaped Hole” in ones heart that only God can fill! , “He has also set eternity in the hearts of men...” You see, there is a reason the heart longs for the experience of worship. That’s the way God has made us. That’s why every culture in every generation has found a way to worship something or someone beyond themselves. That’s what Paul was getting at when he surveyed all the idols of the city of Athens and declared, “For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ What therefore you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you” ().

C.S. Lewis refers to this verse in terms of “one’s appetite for God.” There is within our souls a craving for relationship with God. There is a “God-Shaped Hole” in ones heart that only God can fill! , “He has also set eternity in the hearts of men...” You see, there is a reason the heart longs for the experience of worship. That’s the way God has made us. That’s why every culture in every generation has found a way to worship something or someone beyond themselves. That’s what Paul was getting at when he surveyed all the idols of the city of Athens and declared, “For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ What therefore you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you” ().

C. God can REACH and TOUCH what we cannot (,). C.S. Lewis

C.S. Lewis refers to this verse in terms of “one’s appetite for God.” There is within our souls a craving for relationship with God. There is a “God-Shaped Hole” in ones heart that only God can fill! , “He has also set eternity in the hearts of men...” You see, there is a reason the heart longs for the experience of worship. That’s the way God has made us. That’s why every culture in every generation has found a way to worship something or someone beyond themselves. That’s what Paul was getting at when he surveyed all the idols of the city of Athens and declared, “For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ What therefore you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you” ().

refers to this verse in terms of “one’s appetite for God.” There is within our souls a craving for relationship with God.

Illus. Anne Ortlund writes in her insightful book, Up With Worship, “When I was little we used to play church. We’d get chairs into rows, fight over who’d be preacher, vigorously lead the hymn singing, and generally have a great carnal time.

The aggressive kids naturally wanted to be up front, directing or preaching. The quieter ones were content to sit and be entertained by the up-fronters.

Occasionally we’d get mesmerized by a true sensationalist crowd-swayer—like the girl who said, “Boo! I’m the Holy Ghost!” But in general, if the up-fronters were pretty good, they could hold their audience quite a while. If they weren’t so good, eventually the kids would drift off to play something else—like jump rope or jacks.

Now that generation has grown up, but most of them haven’t changed too much. Every Sunday they still play church. They line up in rows for the entertainment. If it’s pretty good, their church may grow. If it’s not too hot, eventually they’ll drift off to play something else—like yachting or wife swapping.”

Our experience as we gather for worship must be more meaningful than just putting our brains in neutral and going through the motions till someone says the Benediction. Preaching has been cynically described as “one person talking in other’s people’s sleep.” I know that’s not true here. (Illus. with Mr. Pointer and Mr. Beaner)

“We are God’s people. We are not in the Secret Service; we are in the Spirit’s service. Touched by the Spirit, we can think more clearly; feel more deeply; speak more truthfully; love more extravagantly; serve more creatively; give more lavishly; live more fully.” (Len Sweet)

to enter the courts of the LORD.

With my whole being, body and soul,

I will shout joyfully to the living God.

D. .

“We are God’s people. We are not in the Secret Service; we are in the Spirit’s service. Touched by the Spirit, we can think more clearly; feel more deeply; speak more truthfully; love more extravagantly; serve more creatively; give more lavishly; live more fully.” (Len Sweet)

Someone has suggested that one way to cultivate meaningful worship is to come to grips with what genuine worship really is.

It is the exposure of what man is to what he ought to become...

Illus. “We are God’s people. We are not in the Secret Service; we are in the Spirit’s service. Touched by the Spirit, we can think more clearly; feel more deeply; speak more truthfully; love more extravagantly; serve more creatively; give more lavishly; live more fully.” (Len Sweet)

It is the knife of conscience removing that which offends...

It is the medicine of the Great Physician for tired bodies and weary souls...

It is the hand of a small child seeking the hand of his Father...

It is the door to abundant life...

Illus. “We are God’s people. We are not in the Secret Service; we are in the Spirit’s service. Touched by the Spirit, we can think more clearly; feel more deeply; speak more truthfully; love more extravagantly; serve more creatively; give more lavishly; live more fully.” (Len Sweet)

It is the permitting of our bodies to take a break while our souls catch up...

It is the book of memories and aspiration...remembering what God has done for each of us and aspiring to honor Him in return.

It is our little soul seeking the bigness of God.

It is our heart being open to receive the blessings that God offers.

Here is where we find the encouragement to hang in there in this world?

Also consider these soul-searching queries from James A. Harnish...

Where do you find the power to hang in there in this world?

Here is where we are movtivated to keep going when the going really gets tough?

Here is where we are reminded to continue to believe in love in a world that is filled with hate?

Here is where we are challenged to continue to work for peace in a world that is addicted to violence?

Here is where we find a reason to continue to believe in good in a world that is filled with so much suffering and pain?

Here is where we once again believe that ultimately God’s kingdom will come and God’s will, as revealed in Jesus, will be done in all of the creation?

Here is where we are trained and equipped to be a disciple of Jesus in this fallen world?

Here is where we focus God’s Spirit and reinforced by Fellowship with God’s people! That’s one of the main reasons “we come to church.” Here we have the opportunity to connect with God and His people and then go forth to impact this fallen world with His message.

The power is provided by God’s Spirit and reinforced by Fellowship with God’s people! That’s one of the main reasons “we come to church.” Here we have the opportunity to connect with God and His people and then go forth to impact this fallen world with His message.

II. We “go to church” because there is something in the soul crying out to find peace at the altar of God (vs. 3)

A. An altar in early Bible times was a place where sacrifices were offered. It was a place where reconciliation was man with sinful man and holy God. That’s why we need this time when we come together to “be still and to know that He is God.”

A. An altar in early Bible times was a place where sacrifices were offered.

B. An altar in our day is associated with a focal point of worship. It is here in worship that we focus on God and what God by His grace has done in love for each of us. That’s why we gather around the Lord’s Table each week. It is here that we are reminded what our salvation cost. A person who ignores his place in the church is like a man who builds a house without windows and then blames God because he has to live in the dark. Being a vital part of the church...the Body of Christ is beneficial to our spiritual health as we grow closer to our loving God.

B. An altar in our day is associated with a focal point of worship. It is here in worship that we focus on God and what God by His grace has done in love for each of us. A person who ignores his place in the church is like a man who builds a house without windows and then blames God because he has to live in the dark. Being a vital part of the church...the Body of Christ is beneficial to our spiritual health as we grow closer to our loving God.

C. There is within the soul a yearning (sometimes unidentifiable) to find...

1. Or create an altar to restore our peace and to draw near to our Father

2. A place to pray, praise, worship. That’s what the Hebrews writer was getting at...() 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 9 So do not be attracted by strange, new ideas. Your strength comes from God’s grace, not from rules about food, which don’t help those who follow them. 10 We have an altar from which the priests in the Tabernacle* have no right to eat. 3. A place to make peace with God () 4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! 5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. * 6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. 4.

New Living Translation Chapter 13

8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 9 So do not be attracted by strange, new ideas. Your strength comes from God’s grace, not from rules about food, which don’t help those who follow them.

10 We have an altar from which the priests in the Tabernacle* have no right to eat.

3. A place to make peace with God ()

New Living Translation Chapter 4

4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! 5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. *

6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

4.

New Living Translation Psalm 84

3 Even the sparrow finds a home,

and the swallow builds her nest and raises her young

at a place near your altar,

O LORD of Heaven’s Armies, my King and my God!

Illus. A Church goer wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper and complained

The Psalmist saw worship as a time when the hungry soul would be welcomed and fed. Just as the birds are welcome to make the temple as place of safety and nurture, we can see the time of worship as a place where we are welcome to “come and dine” at the Table of the Lord and be fed from the Manna of His Word.

Illus. A Church goer wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper and complained

that it made no sense to go to church every Sunday. "I've gone for 30 years now,"

he wrote, "and in that time I have heard something like 3,000 sermons. But for the life of me,

I can't remember a single one of them. So, I think I'm wasting my time and the pastors are

wasting theirs by giving sermons at all." This started a real controversy in the "Letters to the

Editor" column, much to the delight of the editor.

It went on for weeks until someone wrote this clincher: I've been married for 30 years now. In that time my wife has cooked some 32,000 meals. But for the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals. But I do know this: They all nourished me and

gave me the strength I needed to do my work. If my wife had not given me these meals, I would be physically dead today. Likewise, if I had not gone to church for nourishment, I would be spiritually dead today!"

wife had not given me these meals, I would be physically dead today. Likewise, if I had not gone to church for nourishment, I would be spiritually dead today!"

When you are DOWN to nothing...God is UP to something! Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible and receives the impossible! Thank God for our physical AND our spiritual nourishment!

It has been suggested that if a man’s religion won’t take him to church, it’s doubtful that it will take him to heaven.

III. We “go to church” to find a fellowship with others who seek the same satisfaction of soul (vs. 4). Our gathering has three dimensions: Inward, Upward, and Outward. Inward as we seek to nourish our own souls. Upward as we focus on the God who loves us. And, Outward as we seek fellowship with other believers.

III. We “go to church” to find a fellowship with others who seek the same satisfaction of soul (vs. 4).

New Living Translation Psalm 84

4 What joy for those who can live in your house,

always singing your praises.

A. Here we find other people who have been touched by God ().

A. Here we find other people who have been touched by God. The Apostle Paul chided the Christians at Corinth because “when they came together as a church…there are divisions among you.” (). Later in chapter 12 he wrote, “There should be no division in the body, but the members should have the same care for one another.” (12:25). He also wrote in that same context that “everything that is done should be to edify the body of Christ.” To “edify” means to build up. We assemble to build one another up.

Illus. Attending worship and being part of the church is an important part of the Christian life. The Christian walk is not a Lone Ranger experience. We are fellow-workers...fellow-soldiers...fellow-shippers. Vance Havner used to tell the story of a man who said to the preacher, “I want to sing in your choir.” The preacher replied, “But you don’t belong here. Where do you have your membership?” He said, “I don’t belong to any local church. I belong to the invisible church.” To that the preacher replied, “Then I suggest that you join the invisible choir.”

B. Here we find other people who share a common faith ().

New Living Translation Chapter 2

19 So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. 20 Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. 21 We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. 22 Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.

B. Here we find other people who share a common faith ().

Illus. When Louis XIV, the Sun King, was ruling in France, he arrived at his chapel one Sunday to find no one else present except Archbishop Fenelon, the court preacher. Surprised at all the vacant seats, the King inquired, “Where is everybody? Why isn’t anyone else present this morning?” Fenelon answered, “I announced that Your Majesty would not be here today, because I wanted you to see who came to the service just to flatter you and who came to worship God.”

C. Here we find other people who understand our souls’ desires (,).

New Living Translation Chapter 5

19 We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the control of the evil one.

20 And we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us understanding so that we can know the true God.* And now we live in fellowship with the true God because we live in fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and he is eternal life.

Illus. Anne Ortlund again, “Christians can be grouped into two categories—marbles and grapes. Marbles are “single units that don’t affect each other except in collision.” Grapes, on the other hand, mingle juices: each one is a ‘part of the fragrance’ of the church body.

The early Christians didn’t bounce around like loose marbles, ricocheting in all directions. Picture them as a cluster of ripe grapes, squeezed together by persecution, bleeding and mingling into one another.

Fellowship and worship, then, is genuine Christianity freely shared among God’s family members. It’s sad to think of how many Christians today are missing that kind of closeness. Sermons and songs, while uplifting and necessary, provide only part of a vital church encounter. We need involvement with others too. If we roll in and out of church each week without acquiring a few grape juice stains, we really haven’t tasted the sweet wine of fellowship.”

“Somebody will object: ‘You don’t have to belong to a church to be a Christian.’ It all depends on what kind of a Christian you want to be, mature or immature. I suppose you don’t really have to raise a baby in a family, either. It depends on what kind of person you want the baby to grow up to be. Psychologists are pretty much agreed that one of the characteristics of a mature person is his capacity to form lasting and durable relationships. Spiritually immature persons break their relationships with people as soon as they no longer have any use for them. They cut off people who do things that don’t please them. Over the years, then, they become increasingly isolated and, unfortunately, increasingly childish. They not only don’t grow up, they grow down.” Leroy Lawson.

D.

New Living Translation Psalm 84

4 What joy for those who can live in your house,

always singing your praises.

“Somebody will object: ‘You don’t have to belong to a church to be a Christian.’ It all depends on what kind of a Christian you want to be, mature or immature. I suppose you don’t really have to raise a baby in a family, either. It depends on what kind of person you want the baby to grow up to be. Psychologists are pretty much agreed that one of the characteristics of a mature person is his capacity to form lasting and durable relationships. Spiritually immature persons break their relationships with people as soon as they no longer have any use for them. They cut off people who do things that don’t please them. Over the years, then, they become increasingly isolated and, unfortunately, increasingly childish. They not only don’t grow up, they grow down.” Leroy Lawson.

Conclusion:

1. We “go to church” to be with people—God’s people.

2. We “go to church” to find strength in each other.

3. We “go to church” to worship God and find strength in Jesus, our Savior.

4. We “go to church” to find a love that can be found nowhere else in the world.

5.

6. ,

New Living Translation Chapter 3

14 When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father,* 15 the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.* 16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. 21 Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.

New Living Translation Psalm 84

1 How lovely is your dwelling place,

O LORD of Heaven’s Armies.

2 I long, yes, I faint with longing

to enter the courts of the LORD.

With my whole being, body and soul,

I will shout joyfully to the living God.

3 Even the sparrow finds a home,

and the swallow builds her nest and raises her young

at a place near your altar,

O LORD of Heaven’s Armies, my King and my God!

4 What joy for those who can live in your house,

always singing your praises.

Illus. One evening during Vacation Bible School, a new student was brought into the room. The little boy had one arm missing, and the teacher was nervous that one of the other children would say something insensitive to him. At the end of the evening, she asked the children to join her in their usual closing activity. “Let’s make our churches,” she said, putting her hands together to form the “church.”

6. ,

New Living Translation Psalm 84

10 A single day in your courts

is better than a thousand anywhere else!

I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God

than live the good life in the homes of the wicked.

Illus. One evening during Vacation Bible School, a new student was brought into the room. The little boy had one arm missing, and the teacher was nervous that one of the other children would say something insensitive to him. At the end of the evening, she asked the children to join her in their usual closing activity. “Let’s make our churches,” she said, putting her hands together to form the “church.”

“Here’s the church and here’s the steeple, open the doors and...” Suddenly the awful truth struck her. The very thing she had feared that the children would do, she had done. As she stood there speechless, the little girl sitting next to the boy reached over with her left hand and placed it up to his right hand and said, “Josh, let’s make the church together.”

You see, that’s what we do when we come to church...when we are the church...when we be the church...we work together; love together; grow together and serve together so that the Body of Christ is complete and that God is glorified.

Why Do We "Go to Church"?

Why Do We “Go to Church”?