To people that have struggled with this topic there typically brings with it a number of reasons:
- There are too many hypocrites in church
- It’s boring
- People are so judgmental
- I can have a relationship with God at home
And we could go on and on. But first, if the church is dead and boring there’s no difference with staying at home. But when you go to a church that is alive and vibrant, you can never experience that kind of Spirit of God. There’s just something special when the body of Christ comes together in prayer and worship.
There are a plethora of reasons to go to church, namely because we are the body of Christ. As a member of the body of Christ you cannot survive away from the rest of the body. Paul states in I Cor. 12:12-22 (NLT version), “12 The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. 13 Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit. 14 Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. 15 If the foot says, "I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand," that does not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear says, "I am not part of the body because I am not an eye," would that make it any less a part of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything? 18 But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. 19 How strange a body would be if it had only one part! 20 Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. 21 The eye can never say to the hand, "I don't need you." The head can't say to the feet, "I don't need you." 22 In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary.” You see, you are a vital part of the body of Christ! You need the church and the church needs you to complete each other. When a member of the body is severed it cannot survive by itself, it needs the blood to keep flowing through it to give it life. Just as when we are baptized in Jesus’ Name, His blood continues to flow through us and give us life.
I know there arises hurts from people, but the church is a spiritual hospital where you can bring those hurts before the Lord. Just know that staying away from church will not heal those hurts because they will tend to linger. Come to the altar and meet Jesus, He cares and so do we.
Are there hypocrites, sinners, judgmental, messed up people at church? Yes. But those people are looking for a way from all of that just like you and me. Romans 3:23 (KJV) tells us, “23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” We all have sinned but I thank God that He carries me. Jesus told us in Matt. 11:28-30 (KJV), “28 Come unto me, all [ye] that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke [is] easy, and my burden is light.” So don’t keep convincing yourself that there is nothing for you at church, Jesus is waiting.
At Calvary Gospel Church we are just down to earth people that love one another in Christ. We love the presence of God and would love to have you join us for our special Friend and Family Day this Sunday. Please come and be my special guest.
Pastor Scott Drexel Calvary Gospel Church
Amarillo, Texas, 79109
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