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Blogs > deepestfaith > Mesianic Viewpoints


deepestfaith 62M
113 posts
9/11/2008 8:00 pm

Last Read:
10/30/2010 10:26 pm
Christianity for Dummies: Chapter 4 : Go to Church



So often, we have all heard people say, "I don't need a church" or "the Bible says church is where any two believers meet." or "My belief is between God and me, not others." More often than not, this is an excuse to not attend a church.

Why is it importanyt to go. Let's start in Mathew 15:17-19, "17Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. 18And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. 19I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."

Jesus wants us to bind together. The word "church" means "called out ones". The church is made up of those that have been called out to follow Jesus. In the Bible, the term church is used to refer to all believers but is usually used now to refer to a local group of believers.

CHURCH
A church is a group of believers that have been baptized and voluntarily come together for prayer, instruction, services and worship. Act 2:42-47 says, "42They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."

I remember growing up, a church in my hometown that when someone visited, they always invited them to someone's house after church or to go with them to a restaurant where they broke bread together. Unfortunately, most churches I have spoke and visited today, they shake your hand and tell you they are glad you are there, but then after the service, those visitors are many times ignorred. Next sunday, invite a visitor to go eat and watch your church grow.

So besides eating, why should we be faithful to a church. The Bible tells us 4 reasons:

(1) Instruction

Ephesians 4:11-14, "11It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 14Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming."

Jesus gives the church spiritual leaders so that we can grow and not be infants in our knowledge. Knowledge is power and keeps us from "cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.

(2) Worship

Colossians 3:16 "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God."

Notice it says "teach and admonish." I have seen many churches do one or the other and feel it is a rounded church when they do both. As part one says, we are infants untiil we mature and yes, us infants need admonished at times to learn, but we also must have teaching to learn too.

(3) Fellowship

Hebrews 10:24-25, "24And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25Let 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."

Why do you think God made us into families. It is for our developement, care, protection and fellowship. We need the church for the same reasons and even more.

(4) To Serve

Romans 12:5-8, "5so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to hisfaith. 7If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully."

We are all part of the body and have special gifts so that we can serve others in the church.

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No one is perfect, nor is any one church perfect or perfect for all. If you are not regularly attending a church, then you might not be where God wants you to be. I pray you bow to our Father and Jesus and ask them to lead you to where you can Serve, Worship, Fellowship and Learn.

Psalms 122:1, "I rejoiced with those who said to me,
'Let us go to the house of the LORD.' "



Blessings,
Michael
ladylightwalker

9/12/2008 12:30 am

 Amen. Great post. Blessings, LLW


"Love is Patient..."