Though I am a pastor and am expected to be at church, when it comes down to it, I love going to church. Following are many reasons “Why I Love Going to Church.” If you don’t love going too, then following are reasons why you need to go to church.
Reason 1
“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” (Matthew 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 with a fellowship of believers. Jesus made this promise to the church that the gates of hell will not prevail against it. I am not so sure there is a promise for those that are outside the church. It is possible that the gates of hell may prevail against those who want to remain independent of the church.
Reason 2
“He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed” (Proverbs 13:20).
There is no better place to find wise men than in the church. I love going to church because I can be with these wise men. For those that are independent of the church, they will be wise in their own eyes.
Reason 3
“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. They will know your needs and you will know theirs, if you stay in fellowship. Those independent of the church have none to very little prayer support.
Reasons 4 and 5
“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” (I Corinthians 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, will only care for themselves and their family and will have few believers that care for them.
If I am committed to a fellowship of believers, I will be there to suffer with those who suffer. I will also rejoice with those who 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.
Reason 6
“Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church” (I Corinthians 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. I will also be blessed by the brethren who use their gifts. For those who are independent of the church, they really have no use for their giftings. 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!
Reasons 7 and 8
“Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12).
I love going to church and I need to because I fall down sometimes. Sometimes I grow cold. I need someone to pick me up when I fall and warm me up once in a while when I grow cold. I love being around fiery people. Those that are independent of the church need one of those gadgets that you can press the button and say, “I have fallen and I can’t get up.”
I love going to church because my brethren strengthen me so I cannot be “quickly broken.” Those that are independent of the church are like a single strand of string.
Reason 9
“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it” (Ephesians 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 corporate love.
Reason 10
“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.” (Ephesians 5:27)
How would you handle it if you went for a routine physical and an x-ray of your lungs only to hear a report from the doctor that he detected a spot on your lungs? Would you just shrug it off and go about your business? Or would you have enough concern and to find out what you can do to be healed from that unwelcomed spot? In the same way, Jesus Christ is concerned with our spots and wrinkles and is at work removing them from His church. I love going to church and I want to go because I need that work done in me. Feeling a little spotted and wrinkled lately? Get to church this Sunday, or whenever you can go.
Reason 11
“And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea” (Colossians 4:16).
I love going to church because I don’t want to miss out on any reading that will be shared amongst the church. Those who are independent of the church will only hear what they read.
Reason 12
“And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches” (Acts 15:41).
I love going to church because, when an anointed man comes to the church, he confirms the Word and the things of the Spirit to me.
Reason 13
“And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily” (Acts 16:5).
I love going to church because there is an establishing of faith going on there. I also love to welcome in and rejoice with those that are being born into the kingdom of God. Hallelujah!
Reason 14
“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches” (Revelation 2:29; 3:6,13,22).
I want and need to be in church so I can hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches.
Reason 15
“And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:31).
The reason I love going to church is because I am afraid I might miss out on a mighty visitation from God.
Reason 16
“I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD” (Psalm 122:1).
The main reason I love going to church is because I DO. It makes me glad.