Why Should I Go To Church

Introduction

Good Morning. Man it’s great to be in the house of the Lord this morning - AMEN!? I look forward to Sunday mornings. It’s almost like that fresh breakfast cooking smell. You know the one, where you smell either bacon, or sausage cooking. Perhaps spam - Now we’re taking! For others it might be that fresh coffee small. Ok - now who’s hungry and excited? When we’re just crashed out in bed, have you noticed these smells just seem to pull the covers off the bed? We’re up and looking forward to what awaits us just a few feet away.

Does coming church Sunday mornings energize you the same way? Was it something your parents made you do? Or I was just too tired from Saturday’s activity, and I need rest because tomorrow I have to be back at work.

Some are faced with the question of why should I go to church? What’s the point? The “church” is not what it use to be? What does it mean “use to be?” In a recent study church dropouts mentioned they were burned out. These were people who were at church events to see that the church events were kicked off. Another reason what a lack of connection. People either didn’t feel or see a connection with the people and/or community. Another reason that stood out among many of the age groups was they did not care for the style of the worship music or sermon. Some choose not to attend because they feel there is nothing but a group of hypocrites. The list can go-and-on.

Now is attending a local congregation of believers important? Absolutely it is! Church is not something you go to, attend or become a member of. It’s not like a country club that one pays their dues, visit a few times a year, become a member, and are considered faithful church members. No my friends. That is not what church is not somewhere you go, but something you are.

Our Scripture this morning takes us into the book of Hebrews. The writer talks to us this morning why it’s important to attend church. Turn with me into you Bible to the 10th chapter of Hebrews. We will be reading from verses 24 and 25.

Hebrews 10:24–25 ESV

24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 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.

Pastoral Prayer

The linking word “And” has a very important purpose. It serves as a pointed announcement that we ought to be as considerate and careful about the spiritual edification of other people just as we are of our own. This is a concentrated focus of our responsibility to fellow believers. This word helps connect the duty of mutual consideration. This is to say we are not on a one way street. The street is two ways. The linking word “And” also help us to set a goal. That goal is other believers. That’s what the rest of verse 24 points us to.

The writer of Hebrews guides believers to “consider” one another for the purpose of stirring up each other to love and good works. This means to excite, engage or bring together. You could also think of this as “to stimulate one another.” The purpose of this mutual concern is not to be considered negative. Rather, this mutual concern challenges believers to engage as we walk with the Lord both individually and as a body of believers, it’s a call to action. For some, You could think of your fellow believers as a shot of B12. When we are around other our family of believers, many of us come alive.

As we look closer at the word of “consider” and consider is call to action, this call to action is not just a temporary or one-time thing. The way it’s expressed here is to be mean continuous. Another way to phrase this is to “let us keep on considering.” The mutual consideration we share for one another is to be on continual basis.

That’s what we have here with the words “one another.” One another refers to our fellow believers. Some can propose that Christian faith and hope can be practiced in isolation.

I’ve picked out some passages on what the Bible has to say about some “one another” passages.

John 13:14 - Wash one another’s feet

Romans 12:16 - Be of same mind one toward another

Romans 14:13 - Don judge one another

1 Corinthians 12:29 - Care for one another

Galatians 5:15 - Serve one another

1 Thessalonians 4:18 - Comfort one another

James 5:16 - Confess your faults to one another, Pray for one another

1 Peter 4:9 - Use hospitality one to another

1 John 1:7 - Fellowship with one another

Do you think God’s trying to tell us something? God is saying there’s no such thing as a Lone Ranger Christianity.

Our walk with Christ and other believers was never designed to be lived in isolation. We are made to be social, part of a community. We participate in a community we have opportunity to express love. Love can only be exercised in the company of others. You see love is an internal attitude. When we are granted grace through Christ for our salvation, we allow a way for love of Christ to flow. As God continues to work on our hearts, love replaces a multitude of feelings and thoughts. Where love flows freely and eventually over flows in to other areas of our life.

This overflow is considered to be a good thing, and a byproduct seen is often good works. We want to do these good works, not because we have to. This is a result of the love flowing through us. We don’t do these good works to earn special favor with God or to earn our way into His good graces - it doesn't work that way. We do these in hope of showing the world the love of Christ, because of the love we have. There’s a saying, loving one person might not change the world, but it can change the world for that person.

Love is to be the calling card of the church and a mark of true salvation. John speaks of this in:

1 John 4:7–8 ESV

7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

The church house is to be a place where people feel loved! It’s sad thing when people receive a warmer greeting at Walmart than they do at the house of God. When my family and I had a tour of the church campus, one of the things we both noticed almost immediately was the love that exists here. The sense of love was so obvious, the best way it could be described was “baked in.” There was no way to remove it. There is no amount of paint or drywall that could cover it up. The love within these walls only gets there through our time together. This goes to show over the years and decades, this church body has been in the habit of choosing to love. This is a great praise, and something I believe that will be carried on for generations to come.

As we get to share many great attributes, it’s important to carry these things forward, teaching them to the next generation of believers. One of the best way to teach others is through example. Our young people learn so much by watching the actions of those more experienced. When they see your passion, this can be in anything, they most likely will have some of the same passions. This goes for church. If our young people watch us put the importance of church ahead of other things. They will see that importance. It also goes the other way. If they watch us put the things of life ahead of church, there is a good chance they will too. Its because they are looking to our examples.

The writer of Hebrews says “not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some.” It is thought this statement is for the need of corporate worship. The words, not neglecting to meet together, could refer to worship meetings, although this is not stated. It may be left unclear so as to include other gatherings of a more informal kind. It also suggests some have been neglecting to meet with fellow Christians. Some think it has to do with that fact that some splintered off from the main group, which meant opportunities to stir love and good works became limited.

When we choose not to neglect our time together, I want you to know it says something about not only your witness, but our witness as a church. Being here matters. Being involved matters. I was reading a transcript by Adrian Rogers when he was just starting out. It looks like he and I have some common over lay. He said once there were “Two ladies went away from church. One of them said, “What did you think about the sermon this morning?” She said, “Three things: number one, he read it; number two, he didn’t read it well; number three, it wasn’t worth reading.” Sometimes the music may sound like a couple of calves dying in a hailstorm, but you don’t come to be entertained, to be blown away, to be stroked, to be petted.”

When we come to this place of worship it’s a witness. It is a profession of faith. When you come into this place, you are saying, “I belong to that group!” When you backed out of your driveway on Wednesday night to go to church, or Sunday morning, your unsaved neighbors, say, “There goes the Smith’s again. I know you’re wondering who are the Smiths. I picked them out of the hat, so no one feel like I’m picking on them. They’re going down to that church again.” You are going to church. For some of us, we drive by many church buildings on the way here, some are dark. But you come to First Baptist Church right here in Kirtland New Mexico—the lights are on, cars are in the parking lot! People go by. They look over here, and they see this building, and they see the cars, and I want to tell you, it says something about your faith in Jesus Christ that you’re here. It says, “We believe!” We are not just Sunday morning morning-glories that bloom in the morning and fold up at night. We believe. We are a church about connection, family and community. We are a place to connect where family meets community.

Why do we do this? Part has to do with that we are about connection, family and community. It also has to deal with the importance of bringing the gospel to a lost and dying world. Each believer in this room, and those listening to the sound of my voice, know time is running out! It’s important to help others find Jesus while He can still be found. This happens when we work together for the benefit of others.

Conclusion

Are you ready to take our church further into our community?

Many of you have brought forward interesting ideas that I believe we can accomplish easily as a church family. I’m asking for your help. I understand we can’t be here all the time. If you’re sick, you can’t come to the family meal. If you’re out of town, you can’t come. If you’re at work, you cannot come. Everybody cannot be here for every service. This morning let it be your challenge to make this your love. This is our church. God has given us the responsibility.

I invite you as a church family to pray for our mission on a local and global level.

Closing Prayer