Is Church Important?

Is Church Important?

copyright Millie Plastaras 5/19/2007

That their hearts might be comforted being knit together
in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ.
Colossians 2:2

What Christ wants to see from the church is unbroken ranks.
A body of unity. A body working as one.

You cannot work as one … if you are not ONE.
It is that simple.

I often run into people who say they will not go to church,
that God teaches them all they need to know at home.
Some say they won't go to church because too many
hypocrites go there. Hey folks … why do you think they
went there in the first place? They knew they were sinners
and needed salvation.

I hear people say they won't go to the church because
they don't like the pastor telling them they
need to give to God. Their money somehow
is only theirs to spend, it should never be given back to God.
It is one of the most touchy subjects to people. To me
that speaks volumes about how important it is.

Tonight... I am going to explain why you must find a church
and join with it. God wants us to be an unbroken rank
of believers working together for His Kingdom.

Church does several wonderful things you will not get
any place else. It gives you a central place to go,
to gather together, in worship and praise. This is
really important. It lifts your spirit, and it puts the focus
on God. WE are honoring Him. Many do not take the
time to do this at home.

They think they will, but they never get around to it.

Church gets us into the Word. Honestly, most people I know
who do not attend church, find it very, very hard to be
disciplined about their Bible reading. How important is this?
People cannot survive spiritually without the input of the
Word of God into their spirit. It is fuel for your spirit. It inspires, uplifts, teaches you, leads you into all truth, and shows you what God said and what he wants. There is no substitute!

If you really love God, you will become addicted to His
Word, so you can learn what He wants, and How to live
successfully. The Word of God is our guidebook to God,
it shows us what He wants and how we can live in right
standing before Him. It also shows us if what we are being taught at
our church of choice, is really in the Bible or is someone's
opinion. This is really important, because God's word
is often distorted by people with a specific agenda. God's
word will show us who is lining up with Him and who is
leading us astray spiritually. Discernment is very important.

Churches that teach the word, open it up like a
moving picture before our eyes … things become more
clear, and we understand God's word better and grow
in the wisdom and knowledge of the Lord Jesus.

The anointing of God upon a preacher loving others,
speaking the depths of Gods word to his congregation
is priceless. It reaches our soul in many ways and
brings growth and nurturing.

Church keeps us accountable. When we have no one
watching us ... we can live any way we want, and justify it
as what God told us. Church teaches us about how to
grow fruit of righteousness in our lives, and we learn
by the example of others, and by joining in conversation
and fellowship. It is a common bond in the Lord.

Many people in today's society have trouble being
accountable to other Christians, or having a servants
heart. Most people want to run the show, rather
than humbling themselves and allowing their
hearts to be shepherded and guided spiritually. This
is one of the gravest errors Christians make.

Life is not all about us, but about our right standing
before Christ. Only when we become humbled
and teachable can we grow spiritually.

Iron sharpens iron the Bible says. Our thoughts together,
and the study of God's word and discussions of it
sharpen our spiritual thinking.

Church gives us a support system. It gives us a place
to go where people can meet us, and grow close to us.
They can pray for us when we need it, or love us when
we feel lonely, they can minister to our needs. And we
can minister to theirs.

Going to church is obedience. God said to forsake not
the assembling of yourselves together. To stray from
the church is to find yourself feeling alone, abandoned,
and often needy. We need fellowship folks.

And I must say, if you go there expecting perfection,
you need a reality check. The only place there is
perfection, is in Jesus Christ. Don't expect perfection on earth.
Don't go there and sit in judgment on other people. Everyone
you know has flaws and has made mistakes and is still growing
and learning. Just love them, let them love you, and learn
to pray together as a team and be united in cause and love.

Go ... Enjoy what you can, and let go of what you do not
find ... perfect people, and a perfect church. Just love others,
and keep in mind, we come to church because
we recognize our spiritual neediness. That is why Jesus
came! What better place to start getting "perfect"
than joining together recognizing the central need we
all have for growth and perfection through Christ!

No finger pointing allowed!!!


We took sweet counsel together, and walked into the house
of God in company.
Psalm 55:14

And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us, and has
given himself for us as an offering and sacrifice to God for a
sweet smelling savor. Speaking to yourselves in
psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and
making melody in your heart to the Lord.
For we are members of one body, of his flesh,
and of his bones.
Ephesians 5:2,19,30

Don't neglect God's people,
God's house, or Gods Word. These
are needful things for your eternal soul.

You are only defeating yourself, and defying
the very thing you need most.

Go to a church that teaches all of the word, and loves you.
Someplace where you feel the nurturing of your soul,
the whole gospel preached, and great Bible teaching.
Not a nebulous feel good, make me happy message,
but depth of scripture teaching that feeds your spirit,
and brings about spiritual growth in you.
If what they teach is not in the word, run the other way.

Over the years, as time passes, you will look back
on the sermons, the beautiful music, the word of God
you learned, and realize how it utterly changed you
and the path of your life to something wonderful for
Christ's sake.

Do that which is needful and avoid that which
is vain and unprofitable, for your souls sake.


Remember
Only one life will soon be past
Only what is done for Christ will last.