ANSWERS TO YOUR BIBLE QUESTIONS
Why I Need the Church
There is a feeling building across the country, as to why one needs the church. Some people say, “I can worship the Lord in my home as well as I can in church. If I go to church I am expected to participate, support the church. So why do I need the church that much?”
1. Purchased with His own blood. Acts 20:28
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood.Acts 20:28
If God felt the church was important enough to give the life of His only begotten Son, shouldn’t we rethink these ideas and do some serious contemplation of our relationship with the church? Surely there is an important need for the church in our lives.
2. Because the church is a staff meeting. Acts 9:6
And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.Acts 9:6
No man has enough wisdom to know all the plans that ought to be carried out in helping to proclaim the gospel. “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do…” is what we should always be listening for. At church, we hear ideas from others, and often it takes more than one person to carry out plans that are made.
3. Because the church cares for me. 1 Corinthians 12:25-26
That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
1 Corinthians 12:25-26
We have heard the old saying, “There is strength in numbers.” When we have problems and others hear, they extend their concern and it makes us feel much better. Our problem hasn’t changed but knowing that others care and are praying for us gives us strength. Paul is telling us that “when one suffers, the whole body should be concerned.”
4. Be reminded. Psalms 27:4
One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.Psalms 27:4
David said that it was in the house of the LORD he beheld the beauty of the LORD. The “beauty” here is not regarding the LORD’s looks, for no man has seen God face to face (Exodus 33:20, John 1:18). The beauty here refers to God’s character, who He is, what He is.
I can visualize David as he sat in the temple, thinking “God is so good, so wonderful.” So can we, as we sit in the house of the LORD. That is not to say we can’t in our homes but it is so much easier as we sit among our spiritual surroundings in church.
5. Encouraged to be followers. 1 Corinthians 11:1
Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.1 Corinthians 11:1
This world needs role models. Paul was a role model, and he was reminded of that responsibility as he traveled from church to church. That virtue would not have been cultivated had he stayed at home.
But being out among the church members, he was encouraged to continue living that example. Paul was willing to live and die for the Lord, and he also was willing to live or die for the church, for he loved the church and the fellow believers (Acts 21:13).
6. Admonish one another. Romans 15:14
And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.Romans 15:14
Admonish in the dictionary means “to warn; caution; advise against; reprove mildly; remind of duty.” This does not mean we actually admonish each other (although that sometimes is necessary). As we listen to comments, we get the message loud and clear, if the comment was useful to us. We would not get those suggestions if we remained at home.
7. Forsake not the assembling. Hebrews 10:25
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.Hebrews 10:25
We are admonished very strongly not to forsake the church. Paul knew the need, the importance of attending church. The Scriptures remind us this is even greater as the coming of the Lord grows nearer. Why? Because the devil is working even harder as he understands his time is running out (1 Peter 5:8).
8. Encourages us. Deuteronomy 3:28
But charge Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him: for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which thou shalt see.Deuteronomy 3:28
Just as Joshua needed encouragement, we need encouragement from time to time. Actively being around other believers seems to do that for us. Isolation from believers seems to drain us and Satan knows that. That’s why he plants such thoughts in our minds.
9. We receive nourishment. Isaiah 66:10-11
Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her:
That ye may suck, and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations; that ye may milk out, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory.
Isaiah 66:10-11
Jerusalem was the main place of worship for Israel. The milk here refers to the nourishment we get from the church. Paul told the elders to “feed the church of God” (Acts 20:28). The ministry is to feed the people. If we are not there, we miss out on the meal and begin starving our spiritual life.
SUMMARY
The church is very important to us as individuals. Paul wanted us not to forsake the assembling together and David reminds us to meditate on the goodness of our Lord.
We are encouraged by others and receive nourishment from the Word of God.
Material from the book Answers to Your Bible Questions by Wesley Walker.
More info: http://BibleAnswers.press
