The story’s told of a mother, who woke her son one Sunday morning and said, ‘Get up – you’re late for church!’ He replied, ‘I don’t want to go. I’ve no friends there, the music’s awful, and the sermons are boring!’ The woman replied, ‘You’ve got to go – you’re the pastor!’ Seriously, why should you go to church? Because ‘Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish’ (vv. 25-27 NIV 2011 Edition).
Pastor and President Emeritus of Taylor University Dr Jay Kesler gives us five reasons for going to church:
1) It’s the only organisation that still deals with issues like salvation, death, judgment, grace, purpose, heaven, and hell.
2) It adds value and dignity to human life. We live in a secular culture that contributes to our sense of inner worthlessness. The church counteracts this negative message by preaching God’s love and acceptance.
3) It provides a moral and spiritual compass. Society has revised, resisted, and rejected absolutes, embracing relativism, but the church stands on the timeless bedrock of God’s Word.
4) It’s where you find compassion, healing, and community. There – we’re all on par. There – God’s Spirit is working to knit us together as believers, guaranteeing us all ‘equal access to the Father’ (Ephesians 2:18 MSG).
5) Unlike other institutions, it has motivated the most lasting, unselfish, essential, courageous endeavours on earth. Things like missions, schools, hospitals, food pantries, rehab centres, and orphanages.
Why go to church? Because Jesus loves the church – and so should you.
Ezek 30-32, James 4
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