Why go to church?
Thursday 15th November 2018
'Christ loved the church.' Ephesians 5:25 NIV
Here are a few reasons why going to church is a really good thing to do:
(1) It's what God wants us to do. 'You should not stay away from the church meetings...but you should meet together and encourage each other' (Hebrews 10:25 NCV). (2) It's an opportunity to be part of a community of believers. Romans 12:5-6 reminds us that 'in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us' (NIV). We can achieve more when we work as a team, where people with different skills and gifts can all contribute to the church's work. (3) It's a place to give and receive encouragement. Paul wrote to the church in Thessalonica: 'encourage each other and give each other strength, just as you are doing now' (1 Thessalonians 5:11 NCV). We should all be doing the same. (4) It's a time we can fully devote to praising and worshipping God. Psalm 29:2says, 'Praise the Lord for the glory of his name; worship the Lord because he is holy' (NCV).
This doesn't mean that church is the only place to meet with believers and praise God - we can thank him anywhere, anytime - but attending church helps us make sure we're regularly focusing on him and his people.
So what now? Make a list of all your positives for going to church. Keep your list. Whenever you don't feel like going to church, re-read these positives for encouragement.
Thursday 15th November 2018
'Christ loved the church.' Ephesians 5:25 NIV
Here are a few reasons why going to church is a really good thing to do:
(1) It's what God wants us to do. 'You should not stay away from the church meetings...but you should meet together and encourage each other' (Hebrews 10:25 NCV). (2) It's an opportunity to be part of a community of believers. Romans 12:5-6 reminds us that 'in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us' (NIV). We can achieve more when we work as a team, where people with different skills and gifts can all contribute to the church's work. (3) It's a place to give and receive encouragement. Paul wrote to the church in Thessalonica: 'encourage each other and give each other strength, just as you are doing now' (1 Thessalonians 5:11 NCV). We should all be doing the same. (4) It's a time we can fully devote to praising and worshipping God. Psalm 29:2says, 'Praise the Lord for the glory of his name; worship the Lord because he is holy' (NCV).
This doesn't mean that church is the only place to meet with believers and praise God - we can thank him anywhere, anytime - but attending church helps us make sure we're regularly focusing on him and his people.
So what now? Make a list of all your positives for going to church. Keep your list. Whenever you don't feel like going to church, re-read these positives for encouragement.