“That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Eph 5:27
Jesus Christ is at work removing the spots and wrinkles from His church. I love going to church because I need that work done on me. Feeling a little spotted and wrinkled lately? Get to church this Sunday, or whenever you can go.
“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;” Eph. 5:25
I love going to church because it’s a gathering of people who get the focus and attention of Christ’s love. He gave Himself for the church. For those who are independent of the church, they miss out on that special love.
“He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.” Pro. 13:20
There is no better place to find wise men than in the church. I love going to church because it is there that I can be amongst wise men and learn wisdom. For those that are independent of the church, the most wisdom they will receive is from their own mind.
“Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.” I Cor. 14:12
God gave each of us spiritual gifts. It is when I gather with the fellowship of believers, provided that the pastor doesn’t forbid it, that I can use my gifts to bless the brethren. For those that are independent of the church, they might just as well hide their gift in the earth or store it in a napkin so they can give it back to the Lord later. YIKES!
“That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. 26And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.” I Cor. 12:25-26
If I am committed to a fellowship of believers I will be there to suffer with those that suffer. I will also rejoice with those that rejoice. So too, will those brethren that are committed to the same fellowship suffer and rejoice with me. Those that are independent of the church will suffer alone and rejoice alone.
“That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. 26And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.” I Cor. 12:25-26
It is in the nature of Christ to care for others. If I belong to a fellowship of believers, then there will be many others I can care for. There will also be others that will care for me. Those that are independent of the church, for the most part, only have to care for themselves and their family.
“Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.” Acts 12:5
When you belong to a church you have the peace of knowing that the saints will be praying for you when you really need it. Those independent of the church have none to very little prayer support.
Though I am a pastor and am expected to be at church, when it comes down to it, I love being there. For the next week or so I will be giving reasons Why I Love Going To Church.
“And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Mat. 16:18
Though a gunman could go into a church and gun down people, it is still the safest place to be. The gates of hell cannot prevail against Christ’s church. Christian beware, if you think you do not need to belong to a church. The gates of hell may prevail against those that want to remain independent of the church.
“But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? 41And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. 42And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. 43And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.” Lk. 23:40-43
Scoffers would complain how unfair it is for a convict to live a whole life as a scoundrel and then get to go to heaven at the last few hours of his life. The person with a heart of mercy would rejoice that a convict could still get to go to heaven right up to the closing hours of his life. God is always willing to save a soul, even to the point where He has to have them hung on a cross next to His Son’s cross. That is what you call, “in the nick of time.”
“The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? 5And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not? 6But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet.” Lk. 20:4-6
The people were persuaded that John was a prophet. Their persuasion was correct. It is no different today than it was in the days of Jesus. We have many religious leaders that don’t have the persuasion that the people have. They don’t have the revelation that the people have. Saints of God, pray that the Lord will raise up strong godly spiritual leaders in the closing hour that will be persuaded of the word of God.
