Why do you go to church?

[SpiritLedEd]

From "The Pursuit of God" by A.W. Tozer(Pg 91):

"Has it ever occurred to you that one hundred pianos all tuned to the same fork are automatically tuned to each other. They are of one accord by being tuned, not to each other, but to another standard to which one must individually bow."

The other standard he refers to is the Lord, and, God willing, tomorrow morning I will be in a church service and part of a group of people who are "tuned to each other" by being tuned to the Lord in worship. There is no surpassing that experience. Each week I draw closer to God through group worship. It is awesome!

SLE

 

[abigya]

I had a wonderful time with my bible study group on Saturday.
The lord thought me how the church is designed to function in light of 1 Corinthians 12 and 1 Corinthians 13. (The church is designed to function just like our physical body and the head is Christ Jesus)

1 Corinthians 12.

13For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.

21The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!"
22On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable,
23and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty,
24while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it,
25so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.
26If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

Blessings

 

[pieni]

good question! something we all should really think of!

I go to church mainly because that's the place i can meet my sisters and brothers in God and we can worship Him, pray and share issues with each other. And of course it's important to get teaching, to get to know more about the Bible and God's will.
There are lots of things, why i go to church, but those are the biggest reasons.

 

[maciek]

Church gathering of people in the name of God

Going to church will have meaning when people understand the meaning of Church. This is not just a building but is a gathering of people in the name of God. "Where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am in the midst of them". To experience the intense love and presence of God in communion with one another....

 

[abigya]

Going to church will have meaning when people understand the meaning of Church. This is not just a building but is a gathering of people in the name of God. "Where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am in the midst of them". To experience the intense love and presence of God in communion with one another....

Very true dear maciek

1 Corinthians 3:16
Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?

Blessings

 

[Spreadtheword]

I don't go to church.I should though :cat:

 

[SpiritLedEd]

I don't go to church.I should though :cat:

"For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile - the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for 'Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.' How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?"
(Ro 10:12-14)


One cannot hear the Word completely without good Bible teaching delivered by preachers appointed and anointed by God who work in churches to bring knowledge of His Word in group settings. That's how I got saved and that is what has spurs me on in my Christian walk. I'll bet you got saved that way too.

Private Bible study is of great value, to be sure, but we need to sit at the feet of the people God has appointed to teach His Word in personal contact group settings (them teaching and us listening). And in these settings we have the opportunity to build one another up in the faith and join with other believers to experience the power of group worship.

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we can spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing. But let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the day approaching." (Heb 10:23-25)

SLE

 

[Spreadtheword]

I'll admit that I don't like going there but maybe I'll go this weekend,maybe...

 

[J van Wyk]

I never went to church and was one of those part time christians that only talked to God when i needed Him.Until recently when I gave my life to Jesus and strated learning about his sabbath.I dont believe u have to go to church but its the day u should keep holy and praise God.Church wont take u to heaven but i believe it helps being with poeple and listening to a pastor talking about God.The church that i go to is one hour away from me so dont go every sabbath but if i could i would.

 

[Boanerges]

From "The Pursuit of God" by A.W. Tozer(Pg 91):

"Has it ever occurred to you that one hundred pianos all tuned to the same fork are automatically tuned to each other. They are of one accord by being tuned, not to each other, but to another standard to which one must individually bow."

The other standard he refers to is the Lord, and, God willing, tomorrow morning I will be in a church service and part of a group of people who are "tuned to each other" by being tuned to the Lord in worship. There is no surpassing that experience. Each week I draw closer to God through group worship. It is awesome!

SLE

Very nice indeed my brother!:shade:

I gather with my family in Christ to worship and break spiritual bread.
We are encouraged in the Lord and encourage each other. We are fed on the Word and we feed others. Every joint supplieth what the body lacks and Jesus is lifted up when we come together in love.
Though the flesh finds many reasons not to go the spirit man is edified and strengthened.
Heb 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

 

[abigya]

Greetings all,

Just to say that, I presently don't hold to some of the things I said back in 2006/2007 here at this thread.

Got better revelation what the Spiritual Church (ekklesia) mean



God bless :shade:

abigya 12-11-06, 12:19 PM

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Matthew 18:20
For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”

I do not doubt that the Lords presence is upon all our churches,

My point was people have to go to church with an expectation to really meet the lord.
Because we some times make it tradition to go to church on Sundays and it goes and on and on………..

Even in my work place I sow my work mates to really question them selves, why am I going to church?

So I suggest to really check our heart and ask our selves, do I have an expectation to have an encounter with God, goal or purpose.

What God spoke to me after I was asked this question-
May be some times we have to go to church with a heart of “to bless some one you meet in your church”.

Lord make us a blessing to some one today.
In Jesus name

.

 

[Trishann]

Why go to church?

To worship our Lord with one another
To build up one another
To encourage one another
To pray for one another
To comfort one another
To continue to learn the Word of God with one another

Church is not just for oneself, but also what you can offer to others.
Church offers a place for a body of believers to come together and offer those who are seeking to come.

 

[SpiritLedEd]

Just to say that, I presently don't hold to some of the things I said back in 2006/2007 here at this thread.

Got better revelation what the Spiritual Church (ekklesia) mean :ide

Can you edit the OP by adding a dated paragraph to it pointing out the things you no longer believe and inserting an update?

SLE

 

[abigya]

Can you edit the OP by adding a dated paragraph to it pointing out the things you no longer believe and inserting an update?

SLE

I seem not to have the editing access from my side, but I am pointing out here,

First of, my definition of “Church” used here was different than the Spiritual Church (Ekklesia),

.....the word church used by me referres to the organized institutional church.


______________________________


and this was one of the wrong statement I said....

My point was people have to go to church with an expectation to really meet the lord.

Meeting the Lord starts at a personal level, Christ abids in us
Joh 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you.






.

 

[Boanerges]

Just a thought on that:
If that spiritual church meets in a home or a building it is still a church meeting . If that spiritual body of believers owns a building then it is a church building or church house. From my experiences there are just as many lost people in home meetings as in "church buildings.
My point- such a small difference has no real significance (that I can see) and should never be allowed to divide believers. It is much like when 2 different born again groups (brothers) both believe the other is missing it and separate themselves. One usually thinks themselves enlightened over the other but in truth we all have things to work out until the day we go to Jesus. When 2 or three are gathered together in His Name He is there in there midst.
The Apostles preached regularly in the temple and the church meet in homes as they had no larger venue to convene. So if a few confused but born again folks call the building a church because they meet there it is really no big deal. They are no less the church than we and will grow mature and come to this basic knowledge of truth as the mature.

 

[Veracity]

The main reason I go to church is because I don't always feel like going. Simple. I go, the flesh is defeated, and then all the other great reasons for going are manifested.

Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

It is good.

 

[TomMann]

Due to physical restraints, I am no longer able to attend, though I still maintain my membership and fellowship with other members on a limited basis. I am fortunate in that my next door neighbor is a pastor and streams his sermons online each Sunday morning. I get to interact with him one on one on a regular basis and offer and receive encouragement. I shave, brush my teeth, comb my hair and assume the position in front of the PC each Sunday morning. I don't think we ever outgrow our need for hearing the preaching of the word of God. Now I don't always agree with everything the pastor says, but even in my disagreement I am in the word searching the scripture. I look forward to the day (God willing) that I am able to be back in full fellowship with my church family.

 

[james g]

Heb 10:24And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Heb 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some but exhorting and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.That is why we come together.We do not go to church the church comes together.

 

[B-A-C]

We are commanded to go to Church.

Heb 10:24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,
Heb 10:25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

The church isn't a building, it's a group of people.

There are many many verses about lifting each other up in prayer and testimonies and using our gifts to "edify the body".

If you aren't in a Church, how can you tithe?
You can send money to a televangelist. True, but...
Who holds you accountable. (Don't say God, that's a cop-out) If that were true you wouldn't sin anymore.
Who do you hold accountable?
Who do you pray for? Only friends and family?
Who prays for you?
If you watch church on television, do you know the people there? Really know them? Do you know there problems and concerns? If not how can you pray for them?
Do they know you? If not, how can they pray for you?
We are not meant to walk this walk alone.

Ecc 4:10 For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up.
Ecc 4:11 Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone?
Ecc 4:12 And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.

Mat 18:20 "For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst."

There are many verses in the Bible that call the church "the body", if you aren't a member of a church, how can you be a part of the body?

Do you know how much encouragement you can get from other Christians?
Do you know how much love they can show you?
Do you know the power of their prayers for you? (and your prayers fro them)!

 

[jiggyfly]

We are commanded to go to Church.

Heb 10:24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,
Heb 10:25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

The church isn't a building, it's a group of people.

There are many many verses about lifting each other up in prayer and testimonies and using our gifts to "edify the body".

If you aren't in a Church, how can you tithe?
You can send money to a televangelist. True, but...
Who holds you accountable. (Don't say God, that's a cop-out) If that were true you wouldn't sin anymore.
Who do you hold accountable?
Who do you pray for? Only friends and family?
Who prays for you?
If you watch church on television, do you know the people there? Really know them? Do you know there problems and concerns? If not how can you pray for them?
Do they know you? If not, how can they pray for you?
We are not meant to walk this walk alone.

Ecc 4:10 For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up.
Ecc 4:11 Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone?
Ecc 4:12 And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.

Mat 18:20 "For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst."

There are many verses in the Bible that call the church "the body", if you aren't a member of a church, how can you be a part of the body?

Do you know how much encouragement you can get from other Christians?
Do you know how much love they can show you?
Do you know the power of their prayers for you? (and your prayers fro them)!

Surely you don't think that membership to a religious organization is what makes you part of the body of Christ?