There is a real and positive purpose for attending “Church.” The Church is not a building of any kind. Instead, the Church is the “bride” or “body” of the Lord Jesus Christ. “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (Ephesians 5:25). “And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the first born from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.” (Colossians 1:18). As a result, the Church is an assembly of professed believers in Jesus Christ.
The first indication of the Church is set forth in the Scriptures. “How on the day that you stood before the LORD your God at Horeb, the LORD said to me, ‘Gather the people to me, that I may let them hear my words, so that they may learn to fear me all the days that they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children so” (Deuteronomy 4:10).
There is the “Church worldwide” which is the collective body of Christians from every tribe and nation. “And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all” (Ephesians 1:22,23). Then there is the “local Church” located in a community, “To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours” (1 Corinthians 1:2).
The primary objective of the local Church is to preach the Gospel “that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3,4). The local Church meets weekly for spiritual activities including worship, thanksgiving, Holy Communion (the Lord’s Supper), praise, prayer, fellowship, baptism, testimony, Bible study, and proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ for Salvation. There is also Sunday school and other programs to benefit the community.
Living a dedicated life of faith in God requires that Christians meet regularly in the name of the Lord Jesus and thereby inspire, and encourage each other to worship together. The Bible teaches “Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:24,25). “The day drawing near” refers to the second coming of the Lord Jesus. It is also important to note this exhortation: “not neglecting to meet together.” In other words, it is expected of us to meet together.
It is fair to say people attend or don’t attend Church for different personal reasons. For example, some may be persuaded that by watching a religious service on TV is sufficient to meet their spiritual needs. This is not altogether true. The fact is nothing actually replaces the joy and fulfillment of Christian fellowship in the Church sanctuary. Especially, taking into account what the Bible says, “for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ . . . for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:26-28). By physically meeting together we also show support for each other and that we are united in Christ. King David said “I was glad when they said to me, let us go to the house of the LORD” (Psalm 122:1). So should we be.
We can worship God anywhere and at any time and it is good to do so. However, there is such awe, and a wonderful inspiring experience in corporate worship that nothing can replace. And in so doing, we rejoice with others “who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteous of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:1). Christians definitely need each other for spiritual growth, strength, and maturity in the things of the Lord. Attending Church is for God’s glory and our spiritual well being in obedience to His word.
As we have seen, Church attendance is an essential part of the Christian life as it demonstrates the oneness of “whose we are and whom we worship and serve.” However, it is important to point out that no one can be “saved” by just attending Church. A person is saved only by repenting of their sins and coming to faith in Jesus Christ for salvation. When this is done, the individual should find a Bible believing Church for help in growing in the Christian faith. Some Churches have special classes for this purpose.
King Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived made this statement: “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17). This is especially true and applicable for believers to encourage and build up each other in today’s sin-defiled world where right is wrong and wrong is right. Believers are in the world but not of the world. For some, Sunday is like any other day of the week. But for us Sunday is the “Lord’s Day,” and our desire is to be in the house of the Lord. In addition to Sunday services, many local Churches have prayer meetings and Bible study during the week.
The Church is also an extension of the human family. That’s why we are referred to as brothers and sisters in the Lord. When one hurts, we all hurt. When one is sad, we all are sad. And when one rejoices, we all rejoice. On this basis, we are exhibiting brotherly love and kindness to each other. And because of our relationships in the family, Jesus said: “For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother” (Matthew 12:50).
Although we gather in our respective Churches for fellowship, let us also remember that “Our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ” (1 John1:3). The Lord Jesus Himself has declared, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them” (Matthew 18:20). This means the Lord guarantees His presence to be with us whenever we meet as a body of believers. Since Christians make up the body of Christ, we belong to each other.
Perhaps many of the “underground Churches” in China and other countries that are hostile to God and christianity wish they had the freedom to worship God openly and publicly as we do here in the United States.
Beloved in Christ Jesus, “Let us not grow weary of doling good, for in due season we will reap if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9). Since Church attendance is of the highest priority, why not embrace the opportunity of being in Church this Sunday and successive Sundays. God will bless you abundantly for doing so. You will profit from the privilege and experience. To God be all the glory. Amen.