“Why Come to Church?”

As we kick off our “Spring” church activities, I think again about the reasons why we do what we do at the church.  After all, God is a very personal God, and we each are responsible for our own individual relationship with Him.  So why do we need church?

In Hebrews 10, starting in verse 19, it says, “Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.  Let us hold unswervingly to the the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” (NIV)  Up to this point in the text, everything that is mentioned is between the individual and God.  So some may argue that they don’t need the church to be a Christian.  They can “experience God” out on the lake as well as, or maybe even better than, in the pew.  They don’t need the relationship with other believers.

However, Hebrews chapter 10 doesn’t stop there.  In verse 24, it continues, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (NIV)
These verses give us the reason why we need each other.  How can we “spur one another” toward anything if we don’t see each other and have relationships with other Christians?  We are meant to encourage one another in the faith.  We worship together because when we see others worshiping in spirit and truth, we are encouraged to do the same.  And when we sit down together for a meal, for fellowship, or to open the Word of God together to study, God can speak to us through the thoughts, ideas, and wisdom of fellow believers.

So, let us not give up on meeting together, but encourage one another!