Why Should I Go to Church?

Pastor Matt’s Thoughts… August 2012

Why Should I Go to Church?

Have you ever noticed how many people love to ask the question …. Why? (Including believers).It seems to be a part of our DNA. One of the questions people have often asked me is why should I go to church? As if to say what’s the point? What’s the benefit? Recently I came across an article detailing the religious practices of our early American founders. Jamestown Virginia was the first permanent settlement in the New World, and some of their religious practices were rather different than today to say the least. For example, everyday they had a two-hour church service (everyday!), and on Sunday for five hours (and you thought our services was long). Everybody was expected to attend and to miss a service was considered a sin and was dealt with severely. The penalty for missing a service was the loss of food for a whole day. A second absence resulted in a public whipping. Now that’s harsh! Of course nobody (including me) is saying we should go back to that kind of legalistic abuse. And no one is going to punish you if you miss a service. But the truth is you are important to God, and to Calvary, when you’re not here. Still not convinced attending church is important to your spiritual well being and growth? Let me give you two scripturally sound reasons.

1.)    Our Lord Commands It

Hebrews 10:25

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

·         If for no other reason because God said so.

2.)    Our Spiritual Life Demands It

We are living in a world that is hostile to our faith. When we gather together, we are able to encourage and help each other keeping on for Jesus. That service you attend at Calvary just might be the service where God has something He wants to say to you, bless you with a miracle, or use you to encourage or bless someone else! If you are asking the question “Why should I go to church?” it might be a symptom of a deeper problem. “The lack of spiritual desire”, a broken relationship with God. You are important and have talents God wants to use, which is why the Devil works so hard to keep you out.

Pastor Matt