Why go to Church?

I have written down 15 reasons why we should attend a worship service. It could be more, but we will leave it at that number. This knowledge can be used as an evangelising tool as the reason we gather together weekly but not weakly! It is always wise to have a reason for the faith we hold and the practise we adopt. Here they are:

1. Because people who attend church usually find a sense of peace and spiritual refreshment not found in a worldly atmosphere.
2. Because those people who are really saved enjoy the fellowship of other Christians.
3. Because they are able to hear God speaking in and through the prophetically preached word.
4. Because they can participate in true worship with others as preparation for that great and final all-eternity everlasting praise time.
5. Because it is a place where they can partake and be part of supernatural surprises.
6. Because it is a place where God can speak to their heart about destiny and guidance.
7. Because it is a living testimony to their neighbours that we are committed Christians.
8. Because it is a place where communion is dispensed and they remember Christ’s death, resurrection and second coming.
9. Because people who attend church usually live longer [a proven fact].
10. Because God commands it – “do not forsake the assembling of yourselves together” [Hebrews 10:25].
11. Because it is a place where healing, renewal and revival occurs.
12. Because it is a place where multinational unity exists as opposed to the frictional world system. It is a microcosm of heaven.
13. It is a place where money is not worshipped and greed is discouraged and advice is given on how debt can be conquered and cured.
14. Because it is a place where fellowship can grow into friendship and friendship into relationship.
15. Because it sets a right example to our children [If we have any] and helps brings them up in the way of God in their formative years. They will do what you do not what you say!

Recently, I read an article entitled “Why a rest is as good for you as sleep.” It was a synopsis by Louise Atkinson who analysed a book by Dr. Matthew Edmund, The Power of Rest, she extracts various facts and concludes the article like this “Praying has similar benefits. U.S. research has shown that people who regularly attend religious services live longer than those who do not.” This is the point I made in No. 9 above! I had already discovered that fact in my own research several years ago. It is the best longevity pill on the Market!

We have to ask therefore why there are possibly more Christians outside the church than in it. Perhaps it is because they have forgotten that the principle of the tithe also includes their time, which amounts to 16.8 hours weekly freely given to God for his worship and service. The New Testament Christians realised this and set an example that is hard to follow. Hear God’s word:  “And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple,” [Acts 2:46]. The result was this: “Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved” [Acts 2:47]. The example of the early disciples was such that it attracted a multitude of people who saw that their faith was real; so real that it was manifested in a daily expression of congregational unity and worship.

I ask myself if the modern Christian understands what Christ has really done for them; the complete and wonderful salvation, with sins forgiven, and destiny secured. Have they marked-time in their growth seeing Christ only as a Saviour, failing to embrace him as the ‘beloved?’ Perhaps their faith is just a cursory appreciation of his help in kicking the sin habit, or even less than that?  I ask myself the question: ‘maybe my salvation is different from theirs?’ but wonder how that could be, because we are one family with Christ as head of the body. I know that one day it will be church for eternity, so in the now I want to be prepared for that by attempting to mix with people I will see in that future time.