Church - Why Bother?
| Why Bother with Church? |
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| Written by Administrator |
| Sunday, 08 August 2010 05:00 |
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Why Bother with Church? - Why is it so important to go to Church?
-- The Church is God’s idea. (this site is a work in progress -- please check back in a month or so!)
Certainly there are examples of the Church doing terrible things. Certainly we all know someone who claims to be a Christian yet dishonours God by their actions. However, this does not mean the connection to the local church is an optional extra for Christians. The Church is made up of fallible and broken human beings but it is still the church of Jesus Christ.
Jesus said, “I will build my Church and the gates of hell will not overcome it.” (Matt 16:18) Since the birth of Christ many powerful nations have come and gone. However, the church of Jesus Christ still remains.
--The Church (Greek: ekklesia –the people gathered) is of central importance in God’s plan for the world – and for your life.
The Church in Scripture:
-The Bride of Christ (Rev. 21:9) The Church is pictured as a bride that will one day be joined by her husband (Jesus Christ)
-The Body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:27) The Church (the gathered believers) is the physical presence of Jesus Christ in the world today.
-The Family of God (John 1:12) Those who place their trust in Jesus Christ and receive him become part of a new Family – The Family of God. We are brothers and sisters together in Christ.
- A Temple made of living stones (Eph. 2:19-22) Build on the foundation of the Apostles and prophets with Jesus Christ being the Cornerstone.
Common objections:
- Can’t I just worship God outdoors in nature? Absolutely, however you still need to meet regularly with the family of God. In the book of Acts we are told the first disciples (Acts 2:42) “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”
-The Church has too many hypocrites. (The flippant answer is: Well, come and join us –there’s always room for one more!) The fact is, if we are honest, we all find ways to deny what we profess to be true. The Church of Jesus Christ struggles to be open to all learners. Unless it is highly elitist and selective, the church will always have those are just beginning to walk in authenticity. Remember the button that was popular years ago “PBPGINFWMY” –Please be patient, God is not finished with me yet.
-I’m too busy. It’s all a matter of priorities. We eat food because we know we would die if we didn’t.
-I don’t need to go to Church to be a Christian. Going to Church doesn’t make you Christian. True. However, it is the natural thing to do for those who have truly become part of the family of God. Even if you don’t believe you need others (which is false) it’s important to understand that others in the Body of Christ need your gifts.
An anecdote attributed to Charles Spurgeon: While sitting beside a burning fire someone asked Spurgeon if it was really necessary for a Christian to fellowship with other believers. Without saying a word Spurgeon walked over to the fire and with a pair of tongs picked up a burning ember. He then placed it by itself away from the fire where it quickly smouldered and died. There was no need for an explanation.
Concluding thoughts:
We might not think we “need” church but the fact is that Jesus Christ and his chosen apostles made it very clear that the Church is of central importance to our lives and to the world.
Find a church where Jesus Christ is worshipped and the Scriptures are taught. If you are already part of a fellowship do you best to fully engage. Jesus Christ (and his church) is the hope of the world.
You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his glorious light.” (1 Peter 2:9)
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| Last Updated on Sunday, 08 August 2010 05:04 |