Coming Home to Church

 “After you blatantly sin against me, you have the gall to entreat me for favors? You pray, and you expect me to come through like I usually do? You rebel against me. You shake your fist at me, and then you expect me not to be affected by your disobedience and waywardness?” Malachi 1:9.

If we choose not to live in obedience to the Lord, then we lose the closeness that results from a yielded relationship with the Lord.

There are many times throughout the week I am calling out to my dog from the front yard late at night. “Sofee, come on in.” She will look at me and tilt her head as if she’s deciding should I or should I not come in? The other evening she was looking at me thinking, maybe I will, maybe I won’t come in? So I said to her, “I have a treat, come in.” Most of the time, she gets it because she knows what the word “treat” means. And she will come bounding in. She sits in front of me, waiting for her treat. Usually, I give her a treat, her training is reinforced, and we are both happy.

Last night I called her to come in. And for some reason, she expressed a little canine carnality. “So, you want me to come in? Well, come on and get me.” And off she goes down the street, totally ignoring my command. So I have to chase her down. I grab her and take her back into the house. My dog stopped, sat down, and looked up at me as if to say, “and I’ll bet there’s not a chance in heaven I’m going to get a treat, is there?” I said, “you’re right, no treat for you.”

Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

Regular church attendance provides physical, spiritual, and mental, and emotional benefits. Studies have shown that people who believe in God have healthier lives.

Why go to church?

Stress reduction by attending church has mental health benefits. You will have less anxiety, worries, and fears. It’s not that people who attend church don’t suffer from these things; it’s that when we learn to focus on the reason why we go to church. To stand in the presence of God and therefore we have hope.

At some time in our Christian journey, we are going to feel like giving up. If you say this to someone who is in the world, they may encourage you to walk away from God because a lot of times, our faith doesn’t make sense in a way the world can understand. But spending time regularly with your church family will remind you that the trials of this life are but for a short time, and you are not alone (2 Corinthians 4:17).

Corporate worship is communal. We benefit from worshipping with others. God put us in the community because He knows that it is the best way to increase our faith. We were created for worship (Isaiah 41:21).

The church is a great way to introduce children to the love of God. Jesus told us we need to become like little children (‎Matthew 18:3). Don’t deprive your children of the chance to be with the family of God.

The church is a great place to introduce people to their Savior. Let’s not forget the most incredible benefit of going to church–Jesus. The church teaches people about God. Through the programs of the church, we learn to study our Bibles and pray. We also learn about our Heavenly Father. We become a part of the living, breathing Body of Christ.

Service is one of the core values of the church. We are called to share Jesus in a practical, helping way. The church allows us to be in a community serving our community. Being a part of the church gives us opportunities to use our gifts. God gives each of us a spiritual gift (1 Peter 4:10). Your church needs the gift God has given you (1 Cor 12:7).

One of the most important reasons we should attend church regularly and remain an active part of the body is that it honors God. Even Jesus, the Son of God, regularly attended church. He did this because it honored His Father and because He wanted to go where God’s people were assembled.

Luke 4:16 (ESV) And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as was His custom, He went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read (See Luke 6:6 (ESV)

1 Timothy 3:14-15 (ESV) I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.

See you at church!
Pastor Steve