Why Should I 'Go to Church'?
"And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 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 10:24-25
ASSEMBLY REQUIRED
Growing up as a kid, and now having children of my own, I am quite familiar with the world of toys. When you buy or receive a new toy from a store, it often says on the box whether or not assembly will be required upon opening it. Of course, I much prefer buying items for my girls that say “No Assembly Required”. But while that phrase is positive when used in connection with toys, it is not befitting of the church of Jesus Christ and should not be used in connection to it.
Unfortunately, in our culture, it has become quite common for that phrase to describe the way people view the church: “No Assembly Required”. It is a sad reality of our times that many who profess to be Christians find regularly meeting with a church to be unessential and optional. The opportunities/demands to work and make money, the frequent scheduling of children’s sports games and other recreational activities, the comforts of our beds, pillows, and couches, and the ease of virtual streaming from home, are all used by the enemy to pull us away and isolate us from one another. However, when we look to the Bible, we see in the manual for the church, given to us by the Designer, that the church is meant to assemble. In fact, our Creator proclaims to us very clearly and directly, “Assembly Required.” (By the way, remember that toys that say “No Assembly Required” on the box can say that because all the parts are already joined together and are expected to remain that way.)
When we come to Hebrews 10:24-25, we find one of the clearest calls in the Scriptures to believers about the importance of gathering, and even more so, doing life together. Here, the Holy Spirit, through the author of Hebrews, commands us to “not [forsake] the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some”. As members of Christ’s church, we must gather together regularly! From corporate worship and prayer, to accountability and encouragement, to baptisms and communion, there is so much of Christ and His fulness that we experience together that we can never experience and enjoy on our own. As the comic book hero Captain America, leader of the Avengers, calls his fellow superheroes together with the charge, “Avengers, Assemble!”, we should hear even more loudly and powerfully the charge of our Leader and Captain, Jesus, calling us, His brothers and sisters, "Redeemed Ones, Assemble!”
Of course, are there some unique circumstances, situations, and times in which a brother or sister in Christ cannot physically gather with the church? Absolutely. There are times when we may be sick, injured, or away from home. And there are those who of necessity are bedridden and cannot leave the house, the nursing home, the hospital, etc. We must show grace to those who have legitimate reasons for not joining together with us, and praise God for the technology to allow such people to still virtually watch and hear our gatherings. And we who are blessed to be mobile should consider how we might visit such people and “bring the church to them”! But for those who are able, we should (not under compulsion or obligation, but out of love) be eager to gather together, and prioritize doing so as often as is possible in our present seasons.
BRING AND SHARE
But now, it is also important to point out here that we are not exhorted to merely “show up”. In our American church culture, it is common among those who do attend church regularly, to do so primarily as spectators, acting more like an audience in a theatre, while the lead pastor and a few others do all of the ministering on the stage. But simply being present at a church service or midweek gathering does not, in itself, fulfill the expectation conveyed in these verses. Instead, throughout verses 24-25, we find a number of key action words: consider, stir up [stimulate, spur, motivate], exhort [encourage]. These actions are not meant to only be fulfilled by the lead pastor and the elders; these are expectations for every believer when gathering together with fellow saints. What we see here is that when we gather together as believers, we ought to treat it not like going to a restaurant (where we are simply served) but more like a Bring and Share (where we serve one another). We should not show up empty handed, expecting someone else to do all the work, but give time, energy, and attention to preparing what we are going to bring to the gathering. Most importantly, we must prepare our hearts, so that we are most ready to be led of the Spirit to minister one to another according to the need of the moment!
1 Corinthians 14:26
How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.
In light of these great truths, ask yourself:
1. When I come together with my church family, am I only thinking about what I’m going to receive, or have I also considered what I am going to bring?
2. Do I only have my own spiritual growth in mind, or am I deeply concerned about the growth and discipleship of my fellow brothers and sisters in my church?
3. Do I recognize that in coming to salvation, Christ has called me to be a minister? How am I doing when it come to stirring up and spurring my fellow church members to love and good works?
Ultimately, what is most needful for us to do is to remain yielded to the Spirit, allowing Jesus to minister to His people through us!
I know that for myself, I am really looking forward to our next church “Bring and Share”, and I hope that you are to. What will you be bringing to the table?
ASSEMBLY REQUIRED
Growing up as a kid, and now having children of my own, I am quite familiar with the world of toys. When you buy or receive a new toy from a store, it often says on the box whether or not assembly will be required upon opening it. Of course, I much prefer buying items for my girls that say “No Assembly Required”. But while that phrase is positive when used in connection with toys, it is not befitting of the church of Jesus Christ and should not be used in connection to it.
Unfortunately, in our culture, it has become quite common for that phrase to describe the way people view the church: “No Assembly Required”. It is a sad reality of our times that many who profess to be Christians find regularly meeting with a church to be unessential and optional. The opportunities/demands to work and make money, the frequent scheduling of children’s sports games and other recreational activities, the comforts of our beds, pillows, and couches, and the ease of virtual streaming from home, are all used by the enemy to pull us away and isolate us from one another. However, when we look to the Bible, we see in the manual for the church, given to us by the Designer, that the church is meant to assemble. In fact, our Creator proclaims to us very clearly and directly, “Assembly Required.” (By the way, remember that toys that say “No Assembly Required” on the box can say that because all the parts are already joined together and are expected to remain that way.)
When we come to Hebrews 10:24-25, we find one of the clearest calls in the Scriptures to believers about the importance of gathering, and even more so, doing life together. Here, the Holy Spirit, through the author of Hebrews, commands us to “not [forsake] the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some”. As members of Christ’s church, we must gather together regularly! From corporate worship and prayer, to accountability and encouragement, to baptisms and communion, there is so much of Christ and His fulness that we experience together that we can never experience and enjoy on our own. As the comic book hero Captain America, leader of the Avengers, calls his fellow superheroes together with the charge, “Avengers, Assemble!”, we should hear even more loudly and powerfully the charge of our Leader and Captain, Jesus, calling us, His brothers and sisters, "Redeemed Ones, Assemble!”
Of course, are there some unique circumstances, situations, and times in which a brother or sister in Christ cannot physically gather with the church? Absolutely. There are times when we may be sick, injured, or away from home. And there are those who of necessity are bedridden and cannot leave the house, the nursing home, the hospital, etc. We must show grace to those who have legitimate reasons for not joining together with us, and praise God for the technology to allow such people to still virtually watch and hear our gatherings. And we who are blessed to be mobile should consider how we might visit such people and “bring the church to them”! But for those who are able, we should (not under compulsion or obligation, but out of love) be eager to gather together, and prioritize doing so as often as is possible in our present seasons.
BRING AND SHARE
But now, it is also important to point out here that we are not exhorted to merely “show up”. In our American church culture, it is common among those who do attend church regularly, to do so primarily as spectators, acting more like an audience in a theatre, while the lead pastor and a few others do all of the ministering on the stage. But simply being present at a church service or midweek gathering does not, in itself, fulfill the expectation conveyed in these verses. Instead, throughout verses 24-25, we find a number of key action words: consider, stir up [stimulate, spur, motivate], exhort [encourage]. These actions are not meant to only be fulfilled by the lead pastor and the elders; these are expectations for every believer when gathering together with fellow saints. What we see here is that when we gather together as believers, we ought to treat it not like going to a restaurant (where we are simply served) but more like a Bring and Share (where we serve one another). We should not show up empty handed, expecting someone else to do all the work, but give time, energy, and attention to preparing what we are going to bring to the gathering. Most importantly, we must prepare our hearts, so that we are most ready to be led of the Spirit to minister one to another according to the need of the moment!
1 Corinthians 14:26
How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.
In light of these great truths, ask yourself:
1. When I come together with my church family, am I only thinking about what I’m going to receive, or have I also considered what I am going to bring?
2. Do I only have my own spiritual growth in mind, or am I deeply concerned about the growth and discipleship of my fellow brothers and sisters in my church?
3. Do I recognize that in coming to salvation, Christ has called me to be a minister? How am I doing when it come to stirring up and spurring my fellow church members to love and good works?
Ultimately, what is most needful for us to do is to remain yielded to the Spirit, allowing Jesus to minister to His people through us!
I know that for myself, I am really looking forward to our next church “Bring and Share”, and I hope that you are to. What will you be bringing to the table?
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