The Need for Church Life

Against the Ropes

Church Attendance #’s on the decline

We’ve been seeing it for a number of years … not just a pandemic issue

Even our most committed folks, attend less frequently than before

Events

Sports

Single Parents

Online Options - famous preachers/churches … podcasts

Lack of guilt

And while the last one may be a good thing … guilt is a terrible motivator … guilt isn’t a good reason to show up … but there are lots of good reasons

In my conversations with pastor friends … we are all feeling this reality … varying levels of concern … and I’d be lying if I told you that I didn’t feel this

But I can also tell you that I don’t just believe in the sovereignty of God when He is doing what I want, when I want it … He has placed me, and us together at this place on this morning in His plan … at this moment in history

First Chronicles 12 lists the mighty men and warriors who came to fight with and help King David.

In verse 32 Of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, 200 chiefs, and all their kinsmen under their command.

Maybe this verse simply means that these men understood the times in such a way they knew David was a better choice than Saul. Perhaps it means that these men had a deep understanding of fighting, human nature, and even politics.

We can either be those who do and seek to understand the times we live in, and what we should do in light of it … or ignore them and watch time and opportunity pass us by … we can be like the men in Jesus' parable given talents - resources who invest, multiply, seek to glorify God with them … or we can be like the one who buried it …

Just as the men from Issachar put their lot in with David’s success, I can tell you that I am putting my lot in with the local church for this time in history. I don’t know if there’s ever been a time in history when God’s Church has been so desperately needed, the church has the very answers to the questions our culture is asking. We are the one place that possesses Love, Joy, Peace, and Hope … at a time in the world when those are in short supply.

The Church’s Amazing Beginning

One of the reasons I have such great hope for the Church is that Jesus established it and promised that it would prevail no matter the times or circumstances it faces. When Peter rightly identified Jesus as the Messiah, 17 “And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:17–18).

In this passage in Matthew, where Jesus established the Church, the Greek word translated as “church” is ekklesia, which is a local assembly or gathering. It’s interesting to note that the word church in the Bible never refers to a building—it’s always a gathering of people. So this building we are in is not the church. You and I are the ekklesia—we are the local gathering in the name of Jesus.

The Greek word for “Peter” is Petros. The Greek word for “rock” is petra. So Jesus was using Peter’s name as a play on words. Hey Rock, I’m building my church on the Rock.

Jesus is the foundation of everything the Church does. The Church is built on the platform and foundation of Christ. And Peter is the first stone used in the building. Peter declared, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (verse 16). What a distinction!

-Because we have made that same declaration, we know that we are also part of Jesus’s Church.

Jesus’ Tremendous Trust

What tremendous power and responsibility Jesus gave the church! In verse 19, I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

Now we know that only God can forgive sins and only God can save people. So this isn’t the power to go down a line and say, “You’re saved. Saved. You’re not saved. Nope. Yep. Definitely no.”

So what does it mean that we as the local church have the power to bind and loose things on earth and in heaven?

Dad and the farm truck … why? Because it is always important to know what something is for … what is the church for? Why does it exist?

My dad wanted me to know that the truck wasn’t for looking pretty, or drag racing … it wasn’t for taking long vacations to foreign destinations … it was for work, firewood in particular … and lots of it … it had a purpose to serve … it was bought with the intention of being used

Jesus comes to earth, lives a perfect sinless life, dies on a cross, is buried and resurrected… and then goes back to heaven … and what does He leave behind … what is His plan … it is the church

That’s what I think this passage is saying. The power to bring freedom and to break chains is found in the Gospel. The Gospel doesn’t need us. But Jesus values you so much. Jesus wants to be in relationship with you so deeply, and He wants you to be a part of His work so He says, “Here’s the Gospel. Here are the keys. Where are you going to take it?”

The church has the authority to bring the full power and truth of heaven with it to a hurting and sinful world . . . or we can park it in the garage and admire it’s paint job

As long as the Lord allows me to have influence in this church—the part of the ekklesia that I’m in—the gathering that contains me

We will dent our truck, bang its wheel wells, dirty, smelly, used … might get buried in the mud, need an occasional bath

As far as I have influence, we’re going to take that truck and use it … We’re going to see what the freeing power of Jesus can really do in our community and in our world.

It may get a little messy. It might get a chip in the windshield. It might get a ding in the side, but this church is meant to be used, to haul whatever needs hauling.

We have been given the keys to the kingdom, so we are going to take it forward by His power, under the protection of His grace, and through the leading of His Spirit so that what is loosed here on earth by His power may be loosed in heaven for all of eternity. And the gates of hell will not stand against us!

The Church is Better Together

I have heard a lot of people say they hate organized religion. I understand why. Throughout history, the church of Jesus has frequently forgotten our mission and purpose. Too often the church has allowed itself to be about structure and a hierarchy when actually it was about the people we are called to reach.

But the best thing about an organization is that it organizes.

When we organize, we can get some things done. God has called us to gather together to find ways to live, share, and spread the truth and power of the Gospel. We have a common mission and call. We can’t complete it without each other.

In Romans 12:4–6, Paul said,

4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith;

You can get some things done all by yourself, but it’s like a thumb without a hand or other fingers. In the end, a thumb by itself isn’t good for much beyond sticking it in one of your ears as a plug or for sucking on. But in conjunction with fingers, there is no end to the things your thumb can grasp, open, move, pull, or shape!

It’s the same way with the body of Christ. Our different gifts working in conjunction with one another open up ministry and Gospel opportunities we could never imagine on our own! You can’t be all you’re created to be without us. We can’t be all we’re created to be without you.

And while the statistical data says that church numbers are down … we are called to change and shape our world together with the power of the Gospel. It’s the power that God gave us when we come together. That’s why God tells us in Hebrews 10:25,

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.

I’m not asking you to add another thing to your already busy life; I’m suggesting that we all make the life of the church a part of each of those moments that are already happening … transform them into kingdom life .... if God is a priority in our lives it makes everything we do into the only work that really matters. One essential expression and work of that priority is for us to keep meeting together!

We Need the Church

Our need to gather together goes beyond what we can get done or do; it actually affects who we are and what we become.

We find in the Bible that the followers of Jesus are meant to be fueled by, equipped by, and connected to the local church. You don’t have to go to this local church, but the Bible says we should be connected to some church. In Colossians 3:16,

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

The message of Christ dwells among us. That shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone. We are called to go deeper in our relationship with Jesus, to experience greater freedom in His Spirit, and to undergo a more complete transformation into His likeness.

But did you see how that happens? The next line shows us: “As you teach and admonish one another.” Admonish means to caution, correct, and urge. This is both the frightening and, at the same time, the powerful thing about coming together regularly.

We are all a little blind … we need the mirror of the church to see ourselves acurately … We all have different blind spots, different experiences, different strengths, and weaknesses. And our culture tells us constantly that we need to do and see things our own way.

If you want to mature in the way you follow Jesus, you have to get beyond your own voice and your own interpretation of God’s Word.

I’m not saying that’s the easiest thing to do, but when has going beyond average ever been easy? When has being sold out and being all in for anything ever been comfortable? This meeting or assembly is important for our growth, our unity, and our purpose. No wonder why the Bible so clearly tells us we shouldn’t forsake it.

When we gather together, I would bet I seldom tell you something you don’t already know at some level.

“It is a remarkable fact that all the heresies which have arisen in the Christian Church have had a decided tendency to dishonor God and to flatter man.” - Spurgeon

It reminds me of the couple that is having problems remembering things. During a checkup, the doctor tells them that they’re physically okay, but they might want to start writing things down to help them remember. Later that night, while watching TV, the man gets up from his chair.

“Want anything while I’m in the kitchen?” he asks.

“Will you get me a bowl of ice cream?”

“Sure.”

“Don’t you think you should write it down so you can remember it?” she asks.

“No, I can remember a simple bowl of ice cream.”

“Well, I’d like some strawberries on top, too. Maybe you should write it down.”

He says, “I can remember that. You want a bowl of ice cream with strawberries.”

“I’d also like whipped cream. I’m certain you’ll forget that. Write it down,” she says.

Irritated, he says, “I don’t need to write it down. I can remember it! Ice cream with strawberries and whipped cream, for goodness’ sake!”

After about twenty minutes, the man returns from the kitchen and hands his wife a plate of bacon and eggs. She stares at the plate for a moment and asks, “Where’s my toast?”

Like the couple, one of our big problems is that we need constant reminders, often tangible/touchable ones of the truth.

There’s so much in this world that is questioning, contradicting, and attacking the truth.

When we gather here, we are reminded of the truth of God’s Word, the truth of who God is, and the truth of who we are in Jesus.

Frankly - I’m not concerned with how people attending church less often makes our attendance lower like attendance numbers are a scorecard.

I’m concerned that if and when we forsake meeting together, the truth slips quietly from the forefront of our minds, and we’ll almost imperceptibly buy into and live according to the lies of this world.

How quickly we forget or question God’s goodness, power, love, and involvement in our lives.

Gathering here - together on a regular basis keeps our lives on track … walking the path of being a Jesus follower together provides us regular and intentional signposts, guardrails, encouragement, admonishment, teaching …. and we get to sing along the way.

We also gather together to bring real help and support for life’s difficulties. Is there anyone here other than me who has found out that life is hard?

The truth is that all of us are going to go through deep challenges at some time, in some way. When the tough times come for you, I want your church family to be there for you. When the tough times come for me, I want you to be there for me. What a beautiful thing it is when we gather together and extend the grace and care of God to one another!

The Church is Called to Worship

There’s an even more important reason for us to gather together every week. And this reason isn’t about you, and it isn’t about me.

It’s about our Creator and Savior. Every week, we gather, we pray, we read His Word, and we sing songs of worship to Him.

We gather to worship God because He is worthy of our praise. First Chronicles 16:29-34

1 Chronicles 16:29–34 (ESV)

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;

bring an offering and come before him!

Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness;

tremble before him, all the earth;

yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved.

Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice,

and let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!”

Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;

let the field exult, and everything in it!

Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy

before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth.

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;

for his steadfast love endures forever!

We need to worship God. To worship is to declare who God is and what place He has in our lives.

As we make that declaration, our hearts and minds line up with the truth of our worship. Worship actually transforms us.

C. S. Lewis said, “In the process of being worshipped . . . God communicates His presence to men.”

As we worship together, we draw nearer to God. As you can see in the Bible, any human who comes close to God leaves forever changed. Jesus told us in Matthew 18:20, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”

We gather together to draw near to God. This gathering is an essential part of both our personal and corporate relationship with Him.

There is nothing like the church when it’s working right. And that’s why there is little that is as frustrating, disappointing, pathetic, and tragic as the church when it is not working right.

Is there anything more disappointing than a gathering of believers who have decided to park the Gospel in the garage to keep it clean and safe and pure? What an amazing honor, trust, and privilege God has given us. Do you see how highly He thinks of you as part of this ekklesia, this gathering of believers?

It’s our job to do our very best to make sure it’s working right. But it only works right when we understand that the local church isn’t a building. It certainly isn’t a pastor. It’s not a denomination. It’s not staff, deacons, or elders. It is a gathering—an assembly of followers of Jesus Christ who are united by love for Him. A church that’s working right is a church where every individual in the gathering takes his or her place in the ekklesia with a determination to take the keys of the kingdom and charge forward with the Gospel of Jesus Christ for the glory of His name and for the freedom of His people.

For the sake of the health of this church, for the sake of your own growth, for the sake of those we are called to reach, I want to challenge you to be the church with me every week for the remainder of this series. Let’s gather together every week so we can be the church that He has called us to become.

Would you pray with me in closing?

Father, thank You for Your Church. It seems at times that she has a black eye, but she’s still Your bride. I pray that You would help us become the church You had in mind when You thought it up. Help us to grow together and take our place in this gathering.

We pray this morning for the ones who aren’t sure … who are still deciding if they even believe in Jesus and his cross and resurrection. We pray that you would welcome them into your family this morning … may they admit they are a sinner in need of saving … may they aknowledge that Jesus’ death on the cross is the only means of salvation … and may they confess that they want Jesus to be that Savior for them.

In Jesus’s name, amen.