Why Do I Need to go to Church?

1. Introduction
   1. We live in a time when more and more people are saying that they can be a Christian without being involved in a church.
   2. What does the bible say about this? Does going to church make you a Christian? What is the church? Isn’t it enough to be born again? We’ll tackle these questions and more in this important message.

2. Does Church make me a Christian?
   1. You become a Christian, not by going to church, but by accepting Jesus into your heart as Lord and Savior. Romans 10:9-10: That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
   2. Once you have believed in Jesus and are saved, you love Him, and want to please Him and learn all you can about Him. You want to connect with others who share your faith.

3. If the church is significant, why does the bible say God doesn’t live in buildings made with hands?
   1. Though God has places set apart for His Purposes, he doesn’t live in man-made buildings. Acts 7:46-49: Who found favour before God, and desired to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob. But Solomon built him an house.Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet, Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest?
   2. The church building is not a place where God lives, it is a place where people come together to hear the Word, fellowship, and serve God. Acts 2:41-42: hen they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

4. What is the church?
   1. The church is a body of believers, a family of brothers and sisters in Christ. This is the family you are adopted into once you accept Jesus and are saved. Romans 12:5: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
   2. When we are adopted into God’s Family, we have Jesus Christ as the Head. Colossians 1:18: And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

5. Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. Who is the Holy Spirit, and what is the temple?
   1. We see this scripture in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20: What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
   2. The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity.
   3. He is spoken of by Jesus as the Comforter. John 14:16: And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever.
   4. As we study the Word, the Holy Spirit will teach us, and bring things to our remembrance. John 14:26:But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
   5. He is the Spirit of Truth who leads us and guides us. John 16:13: Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
   6. The temple in this case is where God lives, not in man made buildings, but in the hearts of those who call upon the Name of the Lord for salvation. Ephesians 4:30: And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

6. I’m a Home Baptist. I don’t feel I need to go to church. Isn’t it enough to be born again and know I’m going to Heaven? Why do I need to do anything else?
   1. Being a Christian isn’t simply praying a prayer, being born again, and then you’re done. If you truly are saved, you want to obey God and serve Him. There will be works that accompany your faith. It is not enough to just believe, we must live for Him. James 2:17-18:Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

7. Does going to Church make me a better Christian?
   1. When you go to church, you are fed the true, powerful Word of God through the messages.2 Timothy 4:2:Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.
   2. You have a family to worship and pray with.1 Corinthians 14:26:How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
   3. You have brothers and sisters that can encourage you as you grow in your walk with the Lord. Hebrews 10:24: And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
   4. You do become a better Christian as you continue to fellowship and study with other believers.

8. What does God say about all of this? Do I need to change my thinking?
   1. God clearly warns us to stay in fellowship with other believers, especially as we see the end approaching. 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.
   2. We see in Acts how the people spent time daily in the temple, and having fellowship at one another’s houses. This shows the church being a family, not just coming together for a message and a few songs, but spending time to fellowship together.Acts 2:46: And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
   3. Here’s another scripture that shows the importance of being with like minded believers. Philippians 2:1-2: If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
   4. You’re an important part of the Body. When you are not there, there is a missing part that God intended to be there. Because of this, you should get involved in a church, pray for and support your pastor, and see what part God has for you to play in the life of that local body of believers. Ephesians 4:16: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.