Why In The World Do I Need To Go To Church?

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. (Eph 3:20-21)
One of the most common ways of opening a conversation about the Lord Jesus Christ is by asking the individual if they go to
church or if they have any specific religious beliefs. Very often in asking that question someone will ask, "Well, why should I go
to church. I'm just as good as anybody else." Actuality that is a very good question. In the next few lines let me try to give a brief
reason as to why we should go to church.
The first reason I believe that we should go to church is to experience a sense of community brought about by a common
belief. In other words, the church should be a place where people can come and experience a sense of peace, unity, and joy.
"That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to
the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;" (Col 2:2) Of course, if a church is involved in
active gossiping, backbiting, and bitterness then we would not want someone new to come to our church. For that reason the
church should be right with God and right with each other. The lost person, the new attendee, and those returning after a long
absence, should be able to come and see Christ in each of the members they encounter.
A second reason why people should go to church is so that they can hear the truth of the gospel as the word is preached
unashamedly. The purpose of the church is to preach salvation to see the law saved. Also the word that is preached should be
just that, the Word of God and not some man's opinion or bias. God's Word calls it edifying. The church is to edify, or build up,
the believer. " Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do."( 1 Thess 5:11)
A third reason, and I believe the most important, is because God commands it. The Bible tells us as things grow worse and
worse in the world that we need to gather together as a church for the purpose of learning how to cope with the issues that
arise. "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." ( Heb 10:25) Gathering together provides a sense of spiritual safety and peace that
can be found nowhere else. The Bible tells us that, "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the
midst of them." (Matt 18:20)We go to church so that we can experience the presence of God in might and in power and to feed
on the riches of His grace.