Who Needs It?

  Church, what do you think of it? Is it important to you? How important is church to you? Better yet, is it important to God? Why is it so important to God and Christ? Out of the prior questions arise the real question, What is the church, who established it, for what purpose does the church exist?

  Is the church simply a place that we go just as we go to work or school, an activity that we participate in for the sake of checking it off the to-do list for the week, or maybe something we do in order to soothe our conscience so as not to feel guilty (something we must do out of obligation, and not something we purpose to do out of loving devotion), or doing it as not to be looked upon unfavorable or to fit in???

  You became a part of the Church by faith in Jesus Christ and by His Spirit. The Church is first and foremost a living organism that derives its life from the Head of the Church, our living Lord Jesus Christ. Christ himself said, “I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18).  The local church is the visible manifestation of the Church worldwide, organized as a “called out assembly” of believers (ekklesia - greek term from which we get the meaning). The baptizing work of the Holy Spirit initiated the Church as found in the account in Acts 2, just as Christ promised in Acts 1:5. A people called out of the world and called to or separated out in order to display Christ and His purpose in this world. Therefore, we joyfully, willingly and voluntarily show love to Christ and His people by giving of ourselves (gifts and abilities), giving of our substance (time and resources), and giving of our attendance (listening to the Word and giving ourselves to prayer). Although we certainly are to gather without any negligence on our part as Hebrew 10:25 commands, the matter of coming together should never be simply out of duty, but in loving devotion to the Christ who died for us and lives in us, and who has made us a part of His amazing family of believers (Ephesians 2:19). He knew that we needed each other if we were going to live a life well pleasing to Him (the church is for our growth and protection), and find strength and effectiveness in advancing His cause (the church is meant to proclaim the gospel and show His love) - (1 Corinthians 12:25).

Don’t miss out on being with the church -
If so, the church will miss out on you being there!