Growing up, my parents made me go to church. It was a struggle. Every Sunday morning, every Sunday night, every Wednesday night, every church event, youth group, revival, Billy Graham Crusade, etc. Ugh! And you know what? Now that I am older, I am so thankful that they did. I learned who God was, I saw what it meant to be part of a church community (both the good and the bad), and I saw people who were good examples of how to serve as God would want us to serve. Of course, we all know that the “church” is the body of Christ, it is not a building, it is the people. It is a community, a family. As we discussed in the previous post, we are sons and daughters of God in Christ. We don’t just “go to church,” we are the church. Therefore, we need to gather together and be a part of the church.
Romans 12:3-5
For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.
We need each other. We are all of the same body. As we gather together, let us encourage one another and not just go to church services and be a pew sitter (see Don’t Be a “Pew-sitter”), but use our gifts and talents to strengthen the church. Remember we are God’s workmanship, created to do good works. We all have a purpose in the church.
1 Corinthians 12:25-27
But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.
Each member of the body of Christ has a purpose and is needed. Without you, the body is missing a key element. It is like a person without an eye or ear, or foot or hand. It still functions but not to its full potential (see also vs. 12-24). Therefore, be a part of a church, whether that church is part of a specific Christian denomination or a home group. There was a time when my wife and I couldn’t find a good church where we were living (it was a very small town), so we invited some friends, and we had a small group time in our home until we finally found a small church that was right for us. In the days of the apostles, when the church first started, churches were in people’s homes where they ate together and studied God’s word and prayed with one another. We are called to gather together to love and encourage one another and pray for one another; whatever type of church you choose, choose a Bible believing church (see What Should the Church look like?)
Hebrews 10:23-25
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 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.
God expects us to gather together with fellow believers and surround ourselves with our brothers and sisters in Christ. The early church spent much time gathering together, even living together, mostly in their homes. I am a strong believer in being a part of a home group. Going to church on Sundays is great, but home groups is where you develop relationships, where you can open up, Where we can “do life together.” As you read through the New Testament, letters are rarely written to individuals, and when they were, they were to be shared with the church. Most letters in the New Testament were written to a church. Jesus had John write letters to the 7 churches in Revelation. Paul wrote to the churches on how the church should conduct themselves, as did Peter and John. They wanted the church to teach the truth (we need to be discerning what is being taught as well) and live it out. The church is vital to our spiritual growth and to sharing the gospel and helping those in need.
Acts 2:42-47
And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
When Jesus began the church, he intended for us to be in fellowship. He said we are to love one another. How do we do that without being together? The early church met in houses, ate together, prayed together, studied God’s word together, encouraged each other, and helped each other. Many were saved because they were united in Christ and shared the gospel. That is what we are meant to do.
Proverbs 27:17
As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.
Jesus ordained the church to be God’s family, to be a chosen people to be light in this world.
1 Peter 2:9-10
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.
We all have something in common. We have the grace God has given us. Jesus died for our sins. He also created the church, His bride, and He would be the foundation of the church.
Matthew 16:15-18
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
Jesus commanded us to love one another. Loving each other starts with spending time together. Paul teaches us how we are to conduct ourselves as a church, to be united through the Holy Spirit.
Romans 12:15-16
Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
Ephesians 4:1-6
I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
Colossians 3:12-17
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
The common theme is showing love to each other as we are all members of the same body. Paul often mentions in His letters to pray for one another. He says to pray without ceasing. Jesus taught the disciples how to pray and he gave us an example. Peter and John also talk about praying for the brethren. James tells us to pray for those in the body as they have need.
James 5:13-20
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit. Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.
James is always convicting to read. He tells us not only to pray for one another but to confess our sins to one another. As a church, we are to hold each other accountable. Encourage one another to grow. One church we went to would call their small group, “Grow Groups.” That is very fitting. The small groups at the church where we live now are called, “Life Groups.” Also very fitting. We are to do life together. That is what a church is supposed to do much like the early church in Acts where they gathered together in peoples homes.
Acts 20:7-8
Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight. There were many lamps in the upper room where they were gathered together.
This may be the first mention of the church meeting on Sunday. So, as you see, let us not try to live our faith without other believers. All believers are God’s children and we are a family. May God bless you today and always as we know He does and let us share our blessings with fellow believers.
My Daily Scriptures 