“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:25)
A few weeks ago I published “Why We Need Church When We Don’t Want To Go”. In it I gave you four reasons to go anyway. Well I have ten more reasons for you to go when you don’t want too.
10 Reasons To Go To Church (Even When You Don’t Feel Like It) By Ronda Stoppe (Full Scriptural references and some edits by me)
1. To Hear the Preaching of the Word
If the word of God is quick, powerful, and sharper than a sword, then hearing the preaching of Scripture is vital to your spiritual well-being.
Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV) 12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Watching preachers on TV is often how people justify giving up on church attendance. They may be listening to good preaching (if they’re discerning), but without living in close fellowship with real people, one can never really experience the help and hope Christ offers His bride through faithful involvement in a local church.
These days people are more accustomed to getting their information through entertainment, so sadly more and more preachers are replacing preaching with drama, skits, videos, etc. While our culture craves entertainment, God never instructed His ministers to entertain the troops. Rather He commanded them to preach Truth with urgency. It is through the preaching of sound doctrine that the Word of God:
When facing certain death, the Apostle Paul revealed the importance of preaching with this final instruction to Timothy:
Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV) 12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
*Please note if you are physically unable to attend church, watching it on television or online is a wonderful resource. Especially if the church where you are a member streams it’s sermons weekly. This allows you to stay in communion with your church family, learning what they are learning, and growing as they grow.
2. To Participate in Corporate Worship
Worshiping God alone is wonderful, but nothing can replace the beauty of coming together corporately to worship Him with others who also have His Spirit in them through the redeeming work of salvation.
Jesus said those who worship must worship in Spirit and in Truth.
John 2:24 (NKJV) 24 But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men,
In order to truly worship God the way He demands requires some soul searching. All too often, people think worship is rooted in feeling like they’ve been with God. So they flock to churches that help them muster up those feelings. Sadly, if the church doesn't continue to create an environment that stirs their emotions, many move on to find another church––or worse yet stop attending altogether.
Realize that worshiping God comes as a response to our humble gratitude for His love for us. Knowing God and His character as revealed in Scripture will stir in His children a heart of thankfulness that is expressed in worship that brings Him glory––rather than a self-serving emotional experience. The Spirit causes true worshipers to long to come together with other believers to honor Christ. If God’s Spirit does not stir in you a desire to worship God both privately and corporately, it’s time to ask Him to show you why.
3. Because Iron Sharpens Iron
Proverbs 27:17 (NKJV) 17 As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.
Meeting regularly with other believers is a source of encouragement and strength. But know this: when iron rubs against iron, not only does it become sharper, it also causes sparks! It’s just part of the process.
Matthew 12:34 (NKJV) 34 Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
When you live in community with other Christians you will get bumped. And what spills out of you is what’s in your heart. God uses our interactions with others to show us the areas He would have us repent and turn to reflect more the image of His Son. Working alongside Christians in a church fellowship is a wonderful way to grow your love for God and for others. And it is also God’s way of showing you areas He wants to mature your walk with Christ.
If you’ve stopped attending church because people hurt you, didn’t measure up to your expectations, or are hypocritical, know that the enemy has you right where he wants you. Satan’s tactic is to divide and conquer. If he can pull you from the flock, you are vulnerable to his deceptions and attacks. Satan will use your lack of love for God’s people to quench your love for God.
4. To Exercise Your Gift
From preaching to encouraging, hospitality to administration, God equips His children with gifts to serve Christ.
1 Corinthians 12:4-11 (NKJV) 4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord.6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit,9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit,10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.
Romans 12:6-8 (NKJV) 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith;7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching;8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. When a church body is healthy, its members realize they are part of the congregation not only to receive but also to be a blessing.
Statistics reveal that in most churches, 20 percent of the people do 80 percent of the work. This is not to guilt you into “getting involved” at your church, rather it is to inspire you. Imagine, God has supernaturally gifted you so that He can glorify Himself through you as you serve Christ.
Ephesians 2:10 (NKJV) 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Many see work happening at church and think, They really don’t need me. Don’t be deceived. A well running ministry may appear to have all its bases covered––and it might. But if you look closely you'll discover many individuals who are doing more work than they’d like simply because today, just as in Jesus’ day,
Luke 10:2 (NKJV) 2 Then He said to them, "The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.
Your willingness to minister in your church with what God has gifted you is likely the answer to someone’s prayer for God to send more workers to help with the harvest.
A few weeks ago I published “Why We Need Church When We Don’t Want To Go”. In it I gave you four reasons to go anyway. Well I have ten more reasons for you to go when you don’t want too.
10 Reasons To Go To Church (Even When You Don’t Feel Like It) By Ronda Stoppe (Full Scriptural references and some edits by me)
1. To Hear the Preaching of the Word
If the word of God is quick, powerful, and sharper than a sword, then hearing the preaching of Scripture is vital to your spiritual well-being.
Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV) 12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Watching preachers on TV is often how people justify giving up on church attendance. They may be listening to good preaching (if they’re discerning), but without living in close fellowship with real people, one can never really experience the help and hope Christ offers His bride through faithful involvement in a local church.
These days people are more accustomed to getting their information through entertainment, so sadly more and more preachers are replacing preaching with drama, skits, videos, etc. While our culture craves entertainment, God never instructed His ministers to entertain the troops. Rather He commanded them to preach Truth with urgency. It is through the preaching of sound doctrine that the Word of God:
- Penetrates hearts and transforms lives
- Calls sinners to repentance
- Encourages the downtrodden
- Inspires the Lord’s servants to love and serve Christ
- Lights the way God would have you go
When facing certain death, the Apostle Paul revealed the importance of preaching with this final instruction to Timothy:
Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV) 12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
*Please note if you are physically unable to attend church, watching it on television or online is a wonderful resource. Especially if the church where you are a member streams it’s sermons weekly. This allows you to stay in communion with your church family, learning what they are learning, and growing as they grow.
2. To Participate in Corporate Worship
Worshiping God alone is wonderful, but nothing can replace the beauty of coming together corporately to worship Him with others who also have His Spirit in them through the redeeming work of salvation.
Jesus said those who worship must worship in Spirit and in Truth.
John 2:24 (NKJV) 24 But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men,
In order to truly worship God the way He demands requires some soul searching. All too often, people think worship is rooted in feeling like they’ve been with God. So they flock to churches that help them muster up those feelings. Sadly, if the church doesn't continue to create an environment that stirs their emotions, many move on to find another church––or worse yet stop attending altogether.
Realize that worshiping God comes as a response to our humble gratitude for His love for us. Knowing God and His character as revealed in Scripture will stir in His children a heart of thankfulness that is expressed in worship that brings Him glory––rather than a self-serving emotional experience. The Spirit causes true worshipers to long to come together with other believers to honor Christ. If God’s Spirit does not stir in you a desire to worship God both privately and corporately, it’s time to ask Him to show you why.
3. Because Iron Sharpens Iron
Proverbs 27:17 (NKJV) 17 As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.
Meeting regularly with other believers is a source of encouragement and strength. But know this: when iron rubs against iron, not only does it become sharper, it also causes sparks! It’s just part of the process.
Matthew 12:34 (NKJV) 34 Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
When you live in community with other Christians you will get bumped. And what spills out of you is what’s in your heart. God uses our interactions with others to show us the areas He would have us repent and turn to reflect more the image of His Son. Working alongside Christians in a church fellowship is a wonderful way to grow your love for God and for others. And it is also God’s way of showing you areas He wants to mature your walk with Christ.
If you’ve stopped attending church because people hurt you, didn’t measure up to your expectations, or are hypocritical, know that the enemy has you right where he wants you. Satan’s tactic is to divide and conquer. If he can pull you from the flock, you are vulnerable to his deceptions and attacks. Satan will use your lack of love for God’s people to quench your love for God.
4. To Exercise Your Gift
From preaching to encouraging, hospitality to administration, God equips His children with gifts to serve Christ.
1 Corinthians 12:4-11 (NKJV) 4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord.6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit,9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit,10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.
Romans 12:6-8 (NKJV) 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith;7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching;8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. When a church body is healthy, its members realize they are part of the congregation not only to receive but also to be a blessing.
Statistics reveal that in most churches, 20 percent of the people do 80 percent of the work. This is not to guilt you into “getting involved” at your church, rather it is to inspire you. Imagine, God has supernaturally gifted you so that He can glorify Himself through you as you serve Christ.
Ephesians 2:10 (NKJV) 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Many see work happening at church and think, They really don’t need me. Don’t be deceived. A well running ministry may appear to have all its bases covered––and it might. But if you look closely you'll discover many individuals who are doing more work than they’d like simply because today, just as in Jesus’ day,
Luke 10:2 (NKJV) 2 Then He said to them, "The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.
Your willingness to minister in your church with what God has gifted you is likely the answer to someone’s prayer for God to send more workers to help with the harvest.
5. To Encourage Your Pastor
Philippians 1:3-7 (NKJV) 3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,4 always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy,5 for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now,6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;7 just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace.
Can’t you just hear Paul’s affection for these precious people who partnered with him in spreading the glorious gospel of grace?
In the same way, when you become a partner in ministry with your pastor you bring joy to his heart, grow his love for you, and cause him to joyfully thank God for your faithful service to Christ.
6. To Find Godly Mentors
In the church you’ll discover many people who have walked the road ahead of you. Their wisdom, insights, and even vulnerability to teach you from their mistakes is one way God provides to help you grow.
Titus 2:1-8 (NKJV) 1 But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine:2 that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience;3 the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things--4 that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,5 to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.6 Likewise exhort the young men to be sober-minded,
7 in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility,8 sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.
God values mentorship. It is His plan for the older men and women to come alongside of the younger to train them in godliness, and guide them toward building a life of no regrets.
Not only is the church a wonderful place to find amazing mentors, it is also the place God wants to use you to mentor someone else. With one eye looking to godly older women for guidance, and your other eye on who God might want you to mentor, don’t be surprised at the opportunities He will give you.
1 Corinthians 2:9 (NKJV) 9 But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him."
7. To Teach Your Kids to Love the Church
Often parents grew up in church but walked away after they grew up. Many never really had a relationship with Jesus. However, when their own kids were at risk, it was to the church they often returned.
If you want to teach your kids to love God, they need to see that you love God. And if you want them to learn to love God’s people, they have to observe you loving God’s people.
Luke 6:40 (NKJV) 40 A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.
Notice Jesus didn’t say the student will become as the teacher teaches him to be, rather he will be like his teacher. “Our children will learn more about faith from watching us live out our own faith journey… than from us telling them about God.”
8. To be a Light to Your Community
Jesus said the world will know we are His disciples by our love for one another, so of course Satan wants to destroy any sense of love and community in the body of Christ. When you commit to loving God and loving others, the light shining from your Christ-honoring love is what the Spirit can use to draw others to know Jesus.
Everyone is looking for acceptance and a place to belong. Whether people admit it or not, they all long to be known and loved for who they are. When God’s people commit to fiercely love each other by covering sins with love and readily forgiving each other, their love will be a light that shines brightly in a crooked and perverse generation. Let it begin with you.
9. To Bear Each Other's Burdens
Galatians 6:2 (NKJV) 2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Life can be hard, right? In a moment everything can change. Just when things are going great, a phone call, diagnosis, or a host of other mishaps can leave you feeling afraid and alone. But to those who are a part of a church family never feel alone. When life is going great, they have the affirmation of others. And when life throws a curve, they’re blessed by loving concern, support, and prayer.
If you're accustomed to only going to church when you have a need, why don’t you try going when you're doing okay? Maybe God will use you to be an encouragement to others who are looking for help.
10. Because God Says To
Hebrews 10:23-25 (NKJV) 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
The writer of Hebrews could make any more clear God’s desire to have you regularly assemble together with His people. Realize that God wanting you to regularly attend church is for your good. He wants you, and His people, to exhort one another especially as the days grow darker and the time of Christ’s return approaches.
I pray His Spirit stirs in us a zeal and commitment to meet together with God’s people to praise Him, love others, and shine brightly the hope of Christ to a generation who is desperate to believe that what we say we believe is true––is in fact true.
RSS Feed