Back to Church

Today in our area was the first day of school.  The reason they go back to school is to continue to learn and develop their minds so they can be productive members in our society.  Today as well for me was back to work after being on vacation for 10 days.  There are many back to experiences in our lives.  Here are a couple of examples.  Back to a diet and exercise in order to be healthy.  Back to a good book that you started and did not finish.  Back to a hobby so you can relax and gain perspective on life.  Each of these back to events has a purpose and if we neglect some of these things our lives will not be enriched and we miss out on the fullness of God's design for our lives.  There is another 'back to' event that many ought to seriously consider.  That is back to church.  This leads to the question of why do we need church?  The answer cannot be fully developed in a blog but here is my top five reasons to encourage you to go back to church or to encourage someone else to go back to church.  One- we owe our existence to a Creator and the Bible identifies Him as Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.  Please read Colossians 1:15-18.  No one but God is self sufficient and if I depend upon God for life then I ought to spend time to worship Him.  Two- no one is an island and we need one another.  Hebrews 10:25 "Let 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."  It is so easy to neglect what is need the most because there is always some type of sacrifice involved.  What is true in the natural ie good diet and exercise is also true in the spiritual world.  The Bible contains over 25 admonitions to be involved with one another, love, comfort, serve, encourage and many more and the only way to accomplish these is to be around other believers.  Three- the call is to become like our Savior Jesus Christ and the only way that happens is to study and walk through the process of becoming a mature disciple of Christ.  Jesus called upon His followers to die daily and follow Him.  Paul encouraged us to study to show ourselves approved.  Philippians 3:12 "Not that I have already obtained al this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus too hold of me."  There are many more verses that encourage us not just to be a believer but a passionate follower who desires to be all they can be in Christ.  Four- Jesus taught His disciples to partake of the Lord's Supper and to baptize those who believe in Him.  These are corporate functions of every local church family.  This Sunday at Bethel we will have the privilege of doing both and the significance of doing this together cannot be underestimated.  Five- we need friends.  That is why we are encouraged to devote ourselves to fellowship, Acts 2:42.  Everyone has good days and bad days.  When I am down and you are up that is when I can receive encouragement.  Some times we just need to be with one another and have fun.  Jesus said "The thief comes but to kill, steal and destroy but I have come that you might have life and life to the full" John 10:10.  Let's not be caught in the weeds of life and miss God's best for us.  Let's return to church not only to receive encouragement but we willing and ready to give encouragement.
May Jesus strengthen His church with love and mercy.
Pastor John