Bringing in the sheaves

BRINGING IN THE SHEAVES

Topic:                          WHY WE MUST GO TO CHURCH

Theme Scriptures:                   Heb 10:25; 1 Cor 12:12–14; Psalm 133:1-2; 2 Tim 1:13-14

Objective:                   To let the newcomers know the importance of attending services regularly. To bring about a change of attitude in older members who have not been regular in the services. To guide our brethren on what to teach when they are talking to those that are being followed up on why they must come to church. In summary, this study is designed to remind us WHY WE MUST GO TO CHURCH, help us revisit our reasons (or excuses) for missing church services, and stir us to make plans to eliminate excuses.

INTRODUCTION

We all know that going to church is important but sometimes let the truth slip, by not being careful to pay attention to it (Heb 2:1).

We need to honestly ask ourselves if there are ‘acceptable’ reasons for continually missing church services: reasons that, perhaps, even God ‘understands’. Maybe it’s an important ‘ministry’ deadline or target that attending a church service will ‘slow down’, Maybe it’s the nature of your work, and you really get busy from about 5 pm till 9 pm daily, making Wednesday services impossible. Or why we agree to have business meetings fixed for Sunday morning or is it site inspections? Or do you carefully choose the services to attend based on who is ministering?

What is the Church?

• The Church Is the Pillar And Ground Of Truth – 1 Timothy 3:15:  It is the place of truth and reality. God’s Word is truth. The Church is the place of God’s Word. There, you receive truth and inspiration for every situation in your life, and guidance by God’s Spirit through His Word on the next step; even the next step on that job that is gradually trying to steal your fellowship with God and the brethren in the church. Here, God can give you an idea to achieve your goals in the shortest time.

• The Church Is A Place Of Fellowship – Heb 10:24: In church, we fellowship with God, His Word, and with one another. Here, we are surrounded by visions that inspire us; We see things and people differently; We see clearly where we are, and where we can be and anything is possible. In church, we develop the right associations (Prov 27:17), and God networks us with the right people at the right time to move us to the next level.

• The Church is the body of Christ. In Matt 16:18, Jesus spoke of His Church, which is His body on earth, and said He would build it and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 1 Cor 12:12 -14 lets us know that we are the body and Christ is the Head. All born-again believers are members of His body and of one another (1 Cor 12:27).

Why come to Church?

• GOD INSTRUCTS US TO DO SO: The book of Hebrews 10:25 says “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as you see the day approaching”. The Word of God instructs us to join the Church and regularly fellowship with other believers. It also states that we should not emulate those who forsake such meetings. As you can see, it is not optional to go to Church, it is God’s instruction for us to attend service therefore it doesn’t matter how you feel. If you do it, it will become part of your way of life.

• JESUS GAVE US AN EXAMPLE: Luke 4:16. It was Jesus’ custom to go to church. A closer look at this scripture reveals that He not only had a custom of going to church but also a custom of being actively involved in the service, for He ‘…stood up for to read…’ Take a step beyond developing a custom for ‘going to church’ to developing a custom for ‘being involved in church’. Did Jesus know more than the Rabbis who taught in church? Yes. Yet He went in obedience to God (God said so) and as an example for us to follow.

Benefits of Coming to Church

• STRENGTH AND DIRECTION: We are strengthened by God’s word through exhortation and fellowship with other believers in Church when we attend Church services as we receive God’s word of exhortation into our spirits which enhances our spiritual development. Hebrews 3:13 says “and exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.”

• GROWTH OCCURS: As we attend Church services, we are bound to grow by reason of the word of God that will be preached and by our fellowship with the spirit and the brethren. The Bible says in 1 Peter 2:2, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby”.

• FAITH COMES: As important as service tapes are, they can never be a substitute for the actual fellowship because of the corporate anointing which is where God commands the blessing. The Bible says in Romans 10:17, Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. So every time you come to Church and hear God’s Word, faith comes to you and this produces the victory for you (1 John 5:4-5)

• THERE’S A BLESSING FOR YOU: God has a plan to bless his people every time they come together to fellowship so every service you miss means ignoring God’s visitation for that particular service. The Bible says in Psalm 133:1-3, “Behold, how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity…” The latter part of verse 3 says “…for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life forevermore.” That means it is in such meetings that God pronounces some special kinds of blessings upon His people which you could not receive from any other place or gathering.

• YOU TAKE YOUR PLACE: Just as different parts of the human body cannot function in isolation, the different members of the body of Christ cannot function effectively on their own. God gave different gifts and callings to members of the church, so that the whole church may benefit (1Cor 12:18-24, Ephesians 4:11-12)

• Opportunity to fellowship and LACK NOTHING. You have the opportunity to fellowship with other children of God as you hear testimonies, witness miracles, pray, and worship God together. You also get to do things with others in common so that no one is left out, rather, everyone has all they require. (Acts 1:14; Acts 2:41-47)

CONCLUSION: YOUR ROLE

1. Follow God’s instruction. God has given an instruction, and we will do well to heed it (2 Peter 1:19). Be consistent in coming to church; ultimately, the results will show.
2. Prioritize: Do not compromise church services and all scheduled meetings with the Word. Make your stand clear to all, how important Church is to you.
3. Train yourself to be happy, excited, and glad during service time. The Psalmist (whom God described as a man after His [God’s] own heart) in Psalm 122:1 says, “I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord.”
4. Be involved in the activities of the House of God (follow Jesus’ example in Luke 4:16) and take your place.
5. Receive the Word each time you attend a meeting in Church and faith will be stirred up in you for the next level.
6. Have an expectation when you come to Church. Expect to grow and walk in victory consistently in your life as you apply the Word that you hear.
7. Know that there is a blessing for you every time you attend a meeting in Church. So, receive your blessing every time.
8. Walk in your blessing. After each meeting in Church, realize that you have been re-energized, empowered, and enabled to prosper and succeed in all your endeavors (Psalm 1:1-3).

Always remember that God’s spirit will always do the supernatural when God’s people are gathered.