Live and in Person!

“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:19-22 ESV)

Oh, what church do I attend, after COVID-19 I just watch church services on television, it’s just as good. No, it is not just as good. First, the Bible instructs us to be a church member.  The church body knows no boundaries, there are no racial, political, or socioeconomic boundaries; it is one body. Paul wrote, “For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another " (Romans 12:4-5 ESV )

The writer of Hebrews gave us three reasons why we are to attend church in 10:22-25:

·         “Let us draw near” (Heb. 10:22). Come and be cleansed by Christ and be forgiven.

·         “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering” (Heb. 10:23). Stay strong, don’t give up, keep believing this message of hope.

·         “Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works” (Heb. 10:24). You do not and cannot live the Christian life on your own. In your coming to church, be other-person-centered. 

·         “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”

We also attend church to worship. When we worship, we each contribute in unified song, the voices of many rising to God as one voice. We attend church not only because of who God is, but what God has done for us. The Apostle Peter wrote, “Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy” (1 Peter 2:10). We are joined through our salvation and those of like faith are family, a people united before an all-holy God.

We also attend church because it is a blessing and a privilege. It should be our desire to go to church. We are in the presence of God when we are gathered with others. The testimony of others strengthens us. The unity of the Spirit strengthens us as a people. We become Christians of deeper faith.

God promised that we who gather in His name will be blessed. In Paul’s words we should recognize that “God is really among you”(1 Corinthians 14:25). No, it is not enough to watch a television sermon instead of regular attendance. We are weakened when we do this. Plan to attend worship with others. We are commanded to do this and it is a blessing we miss when we do not. Standing in the presence of the Lord you will feel His power in the church.

Grace and Peace!