Why Church?

Introduction

Today I want to spend just a few moments and examine a simple question. Why Church? What’s the point and purpose of church? Some of us spend up to 4-5 hours a week at church, why?

I’ll be honest, when I began typing that statement out ‘4-5 hours a week’ - that’s on the high side. That’s if you’re coming to all church services. 4-5 hours is IT. But truthfully, most will not even commit 4-5 hours a week to the house of God.

Most of you will watch far more TV in a week than you do at the House of God.

Today I hope to help you understand why your presence and participation in church matters - and why it should be one of the greatest priorities in your life.

As we examine our text, we see Jesus referencing the church.

And there’s a couple things to note:

Jesus is building His church. Jesus is the architect.

The church has been given incredible power - IF it operates as Christ has designed it.

As we begin to examine Why Church? Why does gathering in the local assembly matter, the first thing that we must recognize is because Jesus was Crucified for It

I. Because Jesus was Crucified for It

This my friend is the first - and ONLY reason necessary to make church attendance a priority in the life of the Christian.

Jesus died so we could be Saved

Act. 20:28 “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.”

I’m thankful that Jesus went to the Cross of Calvary so that I could be saved from the Hell that I deserve. What a blessing!

Christ could literally have given you no more than what He gave. He died so that you may live!

Imagine the suffering (garden, post, Cross) - and He did it for you.

Jesus died so that we could be Saved, but He also died so that we would Serve

Jesus also died so that we would Serve

Rom. 12:1 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”

You’ve been saved for a purpose.

(Ill.) You know, you can be on the football team, but that doesn’t mean you’re going to play. Same thing with basketball. But this is not the way God designed the church. There is no ‘riding the pine’ - there is a role for you in the body of Christ.

We see this principle exemplified in Eph. 4:11-13 “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:”

Jesus died so that we would Serve - be His hands & feet in this world. And we serve in and as outreach from the local church

Why Church? Because Jesus died for it. And because it’s God’s Chosen Vessel to Accomplish His Will

II. Because it’s God’s Chosen Vessel to Accomplish His Will

Joh. 15:16 “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.”

His Word is Directed to the Church

The majority of the NT is directed to church bodies specifically. (Demonstrate)

A few are written to individuals, but with the organizational structure of the church in mind (1Tim., Tit)

The commendations & corrections given in Rev. 2 & 3 are directed to churches

Order is Established through the Church

God gave specific instructions for the roles, requirements and responsibilities for church leaders and its organization.

God gave men the leadership positions for a reason

God specified the qualifications and characteristics for the Spiritual leaders, as well as the Physical caretakers of the congregation

God instructed elder women to teach and train the younger

So God had a specific plan for His church - and there’s a reason for that: It’s because you can do far more with 100 people united with the same mind striving together, than with 500 scattered about doing their own thing how they see fit.

Discipline is Administered through the Church

Jesus Declared it (Mat. 18:15-17)

Jesus understood how to settle a problem. He gave the answer for mediation and discipline whenever you had offences between brothers. If they couldn’t settle the issue amongst themselves, they were to bring mediators, if that didn’t do it, they were to bring it before the church, and then the church would discipline the offender.

Jesus Himself declared it - then Paul declared it

Paul Declared it (1Cor. 5-6:8)

Paul speaks of sin that is known to be in the church, and he chastises the church for not bringing down discipline upon those found in sin.

Then in ch6, Paul goes on to discuss why and how brothers are supposed to settle legal disputes as well.

So Paul declares it as well.

The Bible Settles it (2Cor. 13:1)

In the mouth of two or three witnesses, it’s to be established.

Here’s the thing: God uses the church as the vehicle to carry out His Will - and has setup standards, order and when need be, discipline so that it can do His Will to the best of their ability. God never intended for men to just live and serve as they saw fit. He has an order for it all.

Why Church? Because it’s God’s Chosen Vessel to Accomplishing His Will

Why Church? Because Jesus was Crucified for it. Because it’s God’s Chosen Vessel for Accomplishing His Will. Next, Because of our Command

III. Because of our Command

Heb. 10:24-25 “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”

God has given us instruction to gather together. It isn’t offered as a suggestion. it isn’t given as optional. It’s an instruction for us. And there’s great reason for that.

There’s really a lot to unpack with these two verses, but for now I want to focus simply on v25 and the command to ‘not forsake the assembling together’ as we look first at the History of the Congregation

The History of the Congregation

Jesus Gathered them Together (Joh. 1:25-51)

Throughout Jesus’ Ministry many followed him (constant congregation)

After His Crucifixion, they assembled (Joh. 20:19)

...and again 8 days later (v26)

They abode together at His ascension (Act. 1:6) [They saw the ascension and recieved instruction

They abode together after His ascension (Act. 1:13) [Enjoyed fellowship and encouragement]

They were with one accord in one place (Act. 2:1) [They recieved the promise of the Holy Ghost]

They continued daily with one accord in the temple (Act. 2:46) [The LORD added to the church daily]

They assembled after Peter & John were tried (Act. 4:31) [They prayed till the Holy Ghost shook the place and gained a boldness to continue through the persecution]

They in one accord (Act. 4:32-37) [All of their needs were supplied]

Many were gathered together praying for Peter (Act. 12:12) [Their prayers were answered - to their own amazement]

God Honors the Congregation

In all these instances in the early church, we see God blessing and moving in a mighty way in the congregation.

After His Crucifixion, they assembled (Joh. 20:19) [Jesus brought peace to frightened souls]

That congregation was troubled. But Jesus helped them.

There’s so many people today that are troubled. So many that are suffering from anxiety & depression - and they look to alleviate that with prescriptions and counseling - all the while rejecting the very entity that Christ died for and uses as the vessel to bring peace into this world!

...and again 8 days later (v26) [Jesus brought confirmation to doubting soul]

Thomas’ faith increased - not when he was out & about, but when he was in the congregation and Jesus showed up.

They abode together at His ascension (Act. 1:6) [They saw the ascension and recieved instruction]

When they were gathered together they witnessed not only a miracle, but they also recieved instruction.

Church, we gather together so that we can receive instruction as well.

They abode together after His ascension (Act. 1:13) [Enjoyed fellowship and encouragement]

They were there together - praying together enjoying that fellowship and encouraging one another.

Consider what they experienced. Think about how scared they must have been. But because they were there together, they understood that they weren’t in this thing alone! The world might have been against them, but it was THEM!

They were with one accord in one place (Act. 2:1) [They recieved the promise of the Holy Ghost]

Here we see that as they were together, they experienced something wonderful. They recieved that which was promised unto them.

Church, if you will simply be in the congregation with the right spirit, God will bless you in ways you didn’t think possible.

They continued daily with one accord in the temple (Act. 2:46) [The LORD added to the church daily]

They were gathered with one mind and we see how God blessed and grew the assembly.

They assembled after Peter & John were tried (Act. 4:31) [They prayed till the Holy Ghost shook the place and gained a boldness to continue through the persecution]

They prayed together and God moved - and gave them the encouragement that they needed to continue the course God had for them.

They in one accord (Act. 4:32-37) [All of their needs were supplied]

God supplied all their needs.

Church - we should not be looking for our needs to be supplied by the government - we should look unto God, who supplies through God’s people.

Many were gathered together praying for Peter (Act. 12:12) [Their prayers were answered - to their own amazement]

Prayers were answered when they were gathered praying together.

I think we have the wrong mind often concerning the church. Because we have a personal, individual relationship with God, we get this notion that our Christian lives are one to be looked at as one of isolation instead of cooperation. Therefore, we treat the congregation as optional - when it’s anything but!

God honors the congregation. Consider what Jesus said: Mat. 18:20 “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

Why Church? Because of God’s Command

Why Church? Because Christ was Crucified for it; it’s the Chosen Vessel of God; we are Commanded to Gather. Next, because of our Commission

IV. Because of our Commission

I’m speaking of Mat. 28:19-20 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

This is of course what we’ve been tasked to accomplish as a church

Gathering is Necessary to accomplish our Commission

Through the congregation we gain:

Encouragement (Heb. 10:24)

If we’re to go out there and tell people about Jesus, we need to get encouragement in here. Out there is depressing for the Christian. Out there is anti-Christ. We need encouragement, and it’s found at the house of God.

Burden Bearers (Gal. 6:2)

In here you have brothers & sisters in Christ. You have family. You have souls that care about you. You have those with the same value set that will pray for you so you’re not bearing your burdens alone.

Enlightenment (Eph. 4:12)

Here you’re taught the truth. It’s not spin, it’s not from a political point of view - it’s from the Bible! It’s from the framework of morality that God hath designated as truth. Here you will find help and understanding so that you can make wise choices when you face situations OUT THERE

Enabling / Helping One Another (1Cor. 12)

In here you have complementary people. I loved going visiting with bro. Dillon, because we’re both preachers, but I think we complement one another well. When we go OUT THERE as one body, we are able to fill the gaps and accomplish the work God’s sent us to do.

What we do IN HERE is VITAL to what we accomplish OUT THERE

Why Church? Because Christ was Crucified for it; it’s the Chosen Vessel of God; we are Commanded to Gather; because of our Commission & Finally - Because of our Concern

V. Because of our Concern

Concern for the Brethren

We should be concerned whether they rise or fall

Concern for God’s Commands

We should be obedient unto what God commands

Concern for our Commission

We should be concerned about lost souls

Concern for God’s Will being Accomplished

We should be concerned that God’s Will (not ours) is accomplished (Just as Jesus in the Garden)

If these things are not concerning to us - enough that they are priority in our lives, I leads me to question any profession of faith one may have.

Conclusion

I considered closing with another list… Why NOT the church. Maybe another day, but this is what I ask. If you don’t make attending church the priority throughout the week - Sunday morning, evening & Wednesday night, ask yourself this question. ‘Why’. Why NOT? My guess is your reasons will typically begin with ‘I’.

Why NOT Church?

Because of Laziness

Because of Lukewarmness

Because of Lost Priorities