Why Do We Go To Church

 

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Pretty much everyone knows that one thing that a good Christian is supposed to do is go to church. But lately, that’s been having some push back. You hear so many people bashing on the church saying it’s abusive or it’s full of hypocrites or you don’t have to go to church to worship God. And guess what it’s all true! Kind of…

 

The truth is churches are full of people. And people can abuse others, but that’s not what God intended. It’s full of hypocrites because no one is perfect, and you really can worship God anywhere. BUUUUUUT, that’s not all there is to know about the church. 

 

Did you know that it was the church that invented hospitals. That it was the church that started the abolition movement and underground railroad. It was the church who brought us out of the dark ages and into a new era of science, innovative music, instilled public education for the masses and not just the rich, pushed forward the Civil Rights movement, first advocated for women’s rights and gives the most during natural disasters and crises. And these are just a few of accomplishments that have come out of Jesus’ church. So never be ashamed of the church. 

 

Here are some other things  you need to know about the church. 

 

The church is God’s representative to the world. The church isn’t a building. It’s every follower of Jesus in the world! The church is what the Bible calls the Bride of Christ. What’s that mean? It means that every follower of Jesus is a part of the church and we, together, are destined to be in a perfect relationship with Him. God loves the church! 

 

When we go to church, it’s not just to do our Christian ritual. It’s to build each other up. It’s like when all the kids get together for thanksgiving at mom and dad’s house and we celebrate, love and help each other. In 1 Peter 2:9 we are called a royal priesthood. The priests were a group of people specifically chosen to worship God, together. To speak to God for everyone else and through them God can bless the rest of the nation. When we, the priests, come together on Sunday, our worship together brings change! Yes, we can worship alone, but there is great power in the unity of God’s people worshipping God and making Him happy together. We bring a blessing to our nation. 

 

In Matthew 16:17,18 Jesus said that He would build His church and hell would not be able to defeat it. When the world is looking to shut the church down, stay strong, remember our calling to make disciples of every nation and stand strong in Jesus. We are the church! 

 

Going to church is a huge deal and you need to be a part of your local church. Not just to sit back and check it off your box. But to you need to serve, to give your tithe there, to be a part of what God is doing through the church group He says you should be a part of. 

 

The church is powerful. The church is what God loves. It’s the only thing He’s building on the earth. So let’s go to church and let’s be the church!