I’m convinced that we have an overall incomplete view of what it means to be the church. On one side of the spectrum is the group that advocates for perfect attendance of every scheduled service. On the other side is the group that says things like this: “We ARE the Church, it doesn’t really matter if we GO to church.” In my humble opinion, both sides of the spectrum are misunderstanding what it means to BE the Church, and why it is important to GO to church.
This will not be comprehensive by any means, but I’d like to hit on some of the high points that can help us gather a better, more complete understanding of what “church” is and why it is important for the body to gather.
There's a common misconception that a relationship with Jesus can be mutually exclusive from any kind of relationship with other Christians. We’ve all heard somebody say something to the effect of, “I don’t need to go to church - I pray, I love Jesus.” The truth is that you and I need the body of Christ. We need the regular company of other Christians in order to have a complete, well-rounded faith. There are certain aspects of the Christian faith that cannot be realized apart from the body: accountability, bearing one another’s burdens, church discipline (which when properly executed leads to repentance), serving one another, loving one another. Relationship with the body of Christ is not theoretical; it is experiential. In other words, in order to BE the physical manifestation of the body of Christ (the Church), WE have to physically BE together. Contrary to popular belief, YOU are not the Church - WE are.
That being said, God has always been pleased with the physical gathering of believers. He called out Abraham because He wanted to make him a great nation. God didn’t start and stop with Abraham, He multiplied His offspring, called them out of the world, unto Himself, and distinctly called them “My people” (Jer. 30:22). Acts 7:38 refers to God’s people as “the congregation in the wilderness,” and it says that Christ was IN the congregation. The congregation referred to is BOTH the mystical and physical assembly of God’s people. In the same way that God “called out” the people of Israel, He has called out His Church (1 Pet. 2:9-10). Something else to consider is that the physical gathering of the saints is part of our ultimate destiny. When Jesus comes back, He’s not only coming for YOU - He is coming for US. In Rev. 7:9, John saw “a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.” Physically gathering for worship before the Lamb of God is OUR destiny.
Some might object and say something like, “Well, scheduled services aren’t biblical.” Or, “Organized religion is unbiblical.” Both objections are fair in a sense, but they’re also shortsighted. It’s true that some congregations have stagnated, are stuck in the process of going through the motions, and have made the gathering a “business as usual - we do this because we’ve always done this,” blah form of drudgery. But we shouldn’t throw the baby out with the bath water, and all because some are getting it all wrong doesn’t mean that we don’t have the opportunity to get it right.
Keeping in line with those thoughts, first, the reality is that people do not usually gather organically. We go to work at a certain time and clock out at a certain time. We put events on our calendar so that we don’t miss them. My point is that gathering is not a free for all that’s just going to happen on its own. We schedule times to gather together for the purpose of worship, teaching, praying, etc. corporately because we want to INTENTIONALLY do - together - what is pleasing to God. The Scripture says, “let all things be done properly and in an orderly manner” (1 Cor. 14:40). There are also countless instructions in the letters of Paul that prescribe certain elements of worship, regulate gatherings, and call for (command, even) particular orders and processes.
There’s one more misconception that I think needs to be cleared up. Owed in part to general misunderstanding, but also to the emergence of depictions of Jesus on television and social media, there is a general, growing thought that Jesus’ ministry on earth was “hippyish.” It is true that Jesus’ ministry had a nomadic element to it. He said on one occasion, “The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head” (Matt. 8:20). However, Jesus was not necessarily a “stick it to the man” persona. He didn’t come to stick it to the man; He came to do the will of His Father and to bring us back to a right understanding of the Law and will of God (see the Sermon on the Mount). He came preaching and teaching, “You have heard it said… but I say to you…” The plain and simple truth is that Jesus honored the Sabbath and kept it holy, He attended synagogue faithfully, He respected and observed the Laws of God, and He also intentionally discipled those who followed Him. The difference in Him and the religious crowd of His day is that Jesus observed and kept the Law without adding to or taking away from it, with the right attitude, and with holy motivation.
I’ll touch on one more issue briefly. The New Testament is straightforward and urgent in its appeal for believers to get serious about Jesus as His return draws nearer. Our lives should be built around prioritizing Christ, doing God’s will, and loving one another. When it comes time for the believers to gather, a lot of times it’s as simple as stepping back and asking yourself, “What is most important?” Is going to the lake more beneficial in light of eternity as opposed to going up to the house of God and seeking Him collectively with other believers? Is the sporting event of greater value to you than worshiping with the people of God? Is sitting at the house in front of the television, playing video games, chillin’ on the couch because you’re tired, going to result in a deeper relationship with Jesus? What does loving one another as Christ has loved us call for? I think that the answer to all of those questions should be pretty easy.
All of that being said, I thought that it would be useful to provide a short list of reasons why YOU should gather as often as possible with the local body that you’re apart of:
1. Scripture says so. I know that it’s sort of cliche at this point, but the Scripture means what it says in Heb. 10:23-25 - “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near.” “Assembling” means gathering, or synagoguing. Simply put, it’s referring to a physical gathering. The command is also simple: don’t forsake it. If believers are assembling for the purpose of drawing near to God, make the effort to be there. This passage also teaches that gathering is a means by which we stimulate one another to love and good deeds.
2. Jesus is present among His people. We all know the verse, Matt. 18:20, “For where two or three have gathered together in My name, there I am in their midst.” That doesn’t mean that any ole’ place we go, as long as there are two or more Christians present, that Jesus is right there with us. When read in context, it’s clear that Jesus is referring to gatherings that are worthy of His “stamp of approval.” He’s basically saying, “When you gather to do what I’ve permitted, what I’ve put my stamp of approval on (in my name), I’m standing with you. I’m supporting you. I’m right there with you.” Considering the context, if you’re gathered, but you’re not gathered in His name , doing what He’s authorized, then you’re actually rebelling against the character and name of Christ. Of course, that’s in reference to substituting prescribed gatherings with other things (ex: fishing with a Christian buddy and viewing it as a justifiable replacement for going to church). We seem to think that we can do what we want, slap Jesus’ name on it, and that makes it ok.
I’ve heard people say, “I just don’t think Jesus is about that.” Or, “I really don’t think Jesus would care about (fill in the blank)…” My question is, based on what? What do you base that assumption on? The truth is that when God’s people are together, doing what God has prescribed in His word (ex: singing, worshiping, praying, preaching, teaching, serving, Lord’s Supper, etc.), Jesus is on board with it. When God’s people meet during those scheduled service times, with the right motive, and with the right attitude, doing the right things, you can count on it - Jesus IS there.
3. The example of the early church. Acts 2:42-47, And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. And everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. And all those who had believed were together, and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions, and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. And day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.
A couple of things here. They continued meeting in the temple AND from house to house. Corporate worship in a dedicated place as well as corporate worship in personal, relational settings are meant to co-exist within the body of Christ. Don’t forsake or neglect either one.
4. Preaching/Teaching is essential to spiritual health. Heb. 13:17, “Obey your leaders, and submit to them; for they keep watch over your souls, as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.” Unfortunately, these sorts of verses sometimes rub people the wrong way. Basically, we’re all called to submit to God’s order in the home, the church, etc. God has given us apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers to equip and build up the body of Christ (Eph. 4:11-12). A lot of the issues and wrong thinking in the church today can be traced back to the pride driven attitude that is unwilling to submit to God ordained authority.
Don’t treat the teaching and preaching of the word of God as something that you can take or leave. Don’t replace it with YouTube videos, sermon jams, and shorts. You CANNOT submit to a leader that you follow on social media. Get under sound teaching in a local church. Get underneath a pastor that loves God, loves you, and who will hold you accountable to what the word of God teaches, in humility, with respect, kindness and grace. Don’t disregard, buck, or ignore spiritual instruction. You need it, and so do I.
This will not be comprehensive by any means, but I’d like to hit on some of the high points that can help us gather a better, more complete understanding of what “church” is and why it is important for the body to gather.
There's a common misconception that a relationship with Jesus can be mutually exclusive from any kind of relationship with other Christians. We’ve all heard somebody say something to the effect of, “I don’t need to go to church - I pray, I love Jesus.” The truth is that you and I need the body of Christ. We need the regular company of other Christians in order to have a complete, well-rounded faith. There are certain aspects of the Christian faith that cannot be realized apart from the body: accountability, bearing one another’s burdens, church discipline (which when properly executed leads to repentance), serving one another, loving one another. Relationship with the body of Christ is not theoretical; it is experiential. In other words, in order to BE the physical manifestation of the body of Christ (the Church), WE have to physically BE together. Contrary to popular belief, YOU are not the Church - WE are.
That being said, God has always been pleased with the physical gathering of believers. He called out Abraham because He wanted to make him a great nation. God didn’t start and stop with Abraham, He multiplied His offspring, called them out of the world, unto Himself, and distinctly called them “My people” (Jer. 30:22). Acts 7:38 refers to God’s people as “the congregation in the wilderness,” and it says that Christ was IN the congregation. The congregation referred to is BOTH the mystical and physical assembly of God’s people. In the same way that God “called out” the people of Israel, He has called out His Church (1 Pet. 2:9-10). Something else to consider is that the physical gathering of the saints is part of our ultimate destiny. When Jesus comes back, He’s not only coming for YOU - He is coming for US. In Rev. 7:9, John saw “a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.” Physically gathering for worship before the Lamb of God is OUR destiny.
Some might object and say something like, “Well, scheduled services aren’t biblical.” Or, “Organized religion is unbiblical.” Both objections are fair in a sense, but they’re also shortsighted. It’s true that some congregations have stagnated, are stuck in the process of going through the motions, and have made the gathering a “business as usual - we do this because we’ve always done this,” blah form of drudgery. But we shouldn’t throw the baby out with the bath water, and all because some are getting it all wrong doesn’t mean that we don’t have the opportunity to get it right.
Keeping in line with those thoughts, first, the reality is that people do not usually gather organically. We go to work at a certain time and clock out at a certain time. We put events on our calendar so that we don’t miss them. My point is that gathering is not a free for all that’s just going to happen on its own. We schedule times to gather together for the purpose of worship, teaching, praying, etc. corporately because we want to INTENTIONALLY do - together - what is pleasing to God. The Scripture says, “let all things be done properly and in an orderly manner” (1 Cor. 14:40). There are also countless instructions in the letters of Paul that prescribe certain elements of worship, regulate gatherings, and call for (command, even) particular orders and processes.
There’s one more misconception that I think needs to be cleared up. Owed in part to general misunderstanding, but also to the emergence of depictions of Jesus on television and social media, there is a general, growing thought that Jesus’ ministry on earth was “hippyish.” It is true that Jesus’ ministry had a nomadic element to it. He said on one occasion, “The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head” (Matt. 8:20). However, Jesus was not necessarily a “stick it to the man” persona. He didn’t come to stick it to the man; He came to do the will of His Father and to bring us back to a right understanding of the Law and will of God (see the Sermon on the Mount). He came preaching and teaching, “You have heard it said… but I say to you…” The plain and simple truth is that Jesus honored the Sabbath and kept it holy, He attended synagogue faithfully, He respected and observed the Laws of God, and He also intentionally discipled those who followed Him. The difference in Him and the religious crowd of His day is that Jesus observed and kept the Law without adding to or taking away from it, with the right attitude, and with holy motivation.
I’ll touch on one more issue briefly. The New Testament is straightforward and urgent in its appeal for believers to get serious about Jesus as His return draws nearer. Our lives should be built around prioritizing Christ, doing God’s will, and loving one another. When it comes time for the believers to gather, a lot of times it’s as simple as stepping back and asking yourself, “What is most important?” Is going to the lake more beneficial in light of eternity as opposed to going up to the house of God and seeking Him collectively with other believers? Is the sporting event of greater value to you than worshiping with the people of God? Is sitting at the house in front of the television, playing video games, chillin’ on the couch because you’re tired, going to result in a deeper relationship with Jesus? What does loving one another as Christ has loved us call for? I think that the answer to all of those questions should be pretty easy.
All of that being said, I thought that it would be useful to provide a short list of reasons why YOU should gather as often as possible with the local body that you’re apart of:
1. Scripture says so. I know that it’s sort of cliche at this point, but the Scripture means what it says in Heb. 10:23-25 - “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near.” “Assembling” means gathering, or synagoguing. Simply put, it’s referring to a physical gathering. The command is also simple: don’t forsake it. If believers are assembling for the purpose of drawing near to God, make the effort to be there. This passage also teaches that gathering is a means by which we stimulate one another to love and good deeds.
2. Jesus is present among His people. We all know the verse, Matt. 18:20, “For where two or three have gathered together in My name, there I am in their midst.” That doesn’t mean that any ole’ place we go, as long as there are two or more Christians present, that Jesus is right there with us. When read in context, it’s clear that Jesus is referring to gatherings that are worthy of His “stamp of approval.” He’s basically saying, “When you gather to do what I’ve permitted, what I’ve put my stamp of approval on (in my name), I’m standing with you. I’m supporting you. I’m right there with you.” Considering the context, if you’re gathered, but you’re not gathered in His name , doing what He’s authorized, then you’re actually rebelling against the character and name of Christ. Of course, that’s in reference to substituting prescribed gatherings with other things (ex: fishing with a Christian buddy and viewing it as a justifiable replacement for going to church). We seem to think that we can do what we want, slap Jesus’ name on it, and that makes it ok.
I’ve heard people say, “I just don’t think Jesus is about that.” Or, “I really don’t think Jesus would care about (fill in the blank)…” My question is, based on what? What do you base that assumption on? The truth is that when God’s people are together, doing what God has prescribed in His word (ex: singing, worshiping, praying, preaching, teaching, serving, Lord’s Supper, etc.), Jesus is on board with it. When God’s people meet during those scheduled service times, with the right motive, and with the right attitude, doing the right things, you can count on it - Jesus IS there.
3. The example of the early church. Acts 2:42-47, And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. And everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. And all those who had believed were together, and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions, and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. And day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.
A couple of things here. They continued meeting in the temple AND from house to house. Corporate worship in a dedicated place as well as corporate worship in personal, relational settings are meant to co-exist within the body of Christ. Don’t forsake or neglect either one.
4. Preaching/Teaching is essential to spiritual health. Heb. 13:17, “Obey your leaders, and submit to them; for they keep watch over your souls, as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.” Unfortunately, these sorts of verses sometimes rub people the wrong way. Basically, we’re all called to submit to God’s order in the home, the church, etc. God has given us apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers to equip and build up the body of Christ (Eph. 4:11-12). A lot of the issues and wrong thinking in the church today can be traced back to the pride driven attitude that is unwilling to submit to God ordained authority.
Don’t treat the teaching and preaching of the word of God as something that you can take or leave. Don’t replace it with YouTube videos, sermon jams, and shorts. You CANNOT submit to a leader that you follow on social media. Get under sound teaching in a local church. Get underneath a pastor that loves God, loves you, and who will hold you accountable to what the word of God teaches, in humility, with respect, kindness and grace. Don’t disregard, buck, or ignore spiritual instruction. You need it, and so do I.
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