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Intro
A Churchgoer wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper and complained that it made no sense to go to church every Sunday.
He wrote, “I’ve gone to church for 30 years now, 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.
I think I’m wasting my time and the pastors are wasting theirs by giving sermons."
This started a real controversy in the "Letters to the Editor" column.
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: Those meals 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!"
A famous Scripture verse about church attendance is found in Hebrews 10:25
“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
As your pastor I have been agonizing over a disturbing pattern that has been developing here at Lebanon.
A pattern of lower than normal church attendance.
I know in part that this pattern of low attendance can be explained by the annual summer travel plans of many of you.
But this is October.
It has caused me to wonder, are we engaging in what the writer of Hebrews said, “giving up [on] meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing.”
We can speculate on why attendance is down.
We could spend our time here today making one another feel guilty for our absence Sunday after Sunday.
But that would not be of any benefit to any of us.
I also, do not think that is what this passage is telling us.
I believe the writer is giving a word of encouragement, saying “don’t give up, don’t abandon or desert the church community”.
He goes on to say, “As some are in the habit of doing”.
Christians today need be reminded of their importance to the church.
You’re attendance & involvement in the church is vital for your spiritual nourishment.
I realize that Sunday mornings are hard for some people to get to church.
Maybe a late Saturday night watching the World Series, as the Nationals continue with there winning ways, or you want to do some golfing, a little yard work while the weather is nice or you got called into work.
If you allow it, there is always going to be a reason not to attend.
It is so easy to hit the snooze button on Sunday morning when the alarm sounds at seven o'clock, roll over and go back to sleep.
Maybe you had every intention of going to church, maybe Sunday School, too...even had your clothes laid out, but your sleepy side wins and you satisfy your conscience with the thought, "Next Sunday."
It happens!
Perhaps more than you think.
One sunny Sunday morning, Henry Jones awoke to find his wife standing over him, shaking him by the shoulder.
"You have to get up," she urged.
"We have to get ready for church.”
"I don’t want to go to church," he replied.
"I want to stay in bed.”
Crossing her arms over her chest, his wife demanded, "Give me three good reasons why you should stay in bed and not go to church."
"OK," he answered.
"First, I don’t get anything out of the service.
Second, I don’t like the people there.
And third, no one there likes me.
Now can you give me three good reasons why I should go to church?"
His wife responded,
"First, it will do you some good.
Second, there are people who really do like you.
And third, you have to go, you’re the pastor!
Get up and get dressed."
If going to church can be so difficult;
Why Go to Church?
You go to school to get an education so you can make a living.
You go to work to make money so you can pay the bills.
You go to the gym for exercise and better health.
You go to the mall to shop for clothes and the grocery store to buy food.
You go to the lake to fish, the ball game to cheer, and golf course for fun.
But church?
Why go to there?
Why get up early on one of your few off-days?
Why go through the hassle of dressing up and the getting the kids ready?
Why go to the trouble of finding a parking space near the front and pew space near the back?
Why go to church?
If you've ever found yourself wondering about that little question, you're not alone.
Surveys tell us that as many as 79% of Americans identify themselves as Christians, yet only 20% of Americans attend church regularly.
I guess some people look at going to church as a bother—an unnecessary burden to be avoided whenever possible—a perfectly good hour wasted in order to keep a wife or a preacher or a parent off their backs.
Others see it as sort of like punching a spiritual clock or earning brownie points with their Maker.
But to someone who understands church and what it's really all about, going to church can be the most spiritually fulfilling, inspiring thing you do all week.
The Book of Acts tells the story of how the church got started.
Fifty days after Jesus rose from the dead, he sent the Holy Spirit to empower his disciples.
They went out and began preaching about the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus—the Good News.
Millions of people listened, thousands believed.
Then at the end of Acts 2, we find this short snapshot of what life was like in the early church:
"Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all.
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.
A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders.
And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had.
They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need.
They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord's Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people.
And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved."
(Acts 2:41-47 NLT)
When we look at the early church, in the book of Acts, we begin to realize the real purpose of the church and why we meet together every week.
First: Church Helps You Focus on God
Sometimes in life, especially in our trials, we focus so intently on our situation that we forget to focus on God and His goodness.
Matthew 14:30 –
Look at Peter walking on water and focused on the waves...
Clemson vs. Boston College football game…11 seconds to go in the ball game, Will Harper fires the ball to his favorite receiver, an outstretched Aaron Kelly…sailing across the goal line for the go-ahead touchdown….the
only problem….he
lost his focus at the last second and the ball ricocheted off his hands to the ground…Clemson lost the game.
When you lose focus, you lose games.
Being in church, hearing God’s word and singing songs gives you a renewed perspective about your situation and keeps our focus on God.
Having a weekly “Church Attendance Rhythm” is important.
Even God took a rest after working six days.
Think about it: boxers need rest between rounds & race car drivers need to refuel after so many laps.
Church helps you refuel and get focused for the week.
Second: Church gives us a sense of Belonging
The church brings into our lives a place to belong.
The passage we read in Acts is absolutely flooded with fellowship.
The Bible says, "All the believers devoted themselves... to fellowship, and to sharing in meals...and all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had."
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