Why Do I Need the Church? 11

March 6, 2011

Introduction

Five weeks ago, I preached a sermon entitle, “Does the Church Matter?” The title of our thoughts this morning is, “Why Do I need Church?” We may repeat a few scriptures that we used at that time, but for the most part, there are things we want to discuss this morning that we did not mention in that sermon. So, Why Do I Need the Church?

Body

I. I need church because it's a family reunion.

A. Jesus asked, "Who is My family-- Who is My mother, or My brothers?”? -- Those who do My will"

Mark 3:33 But He answered them, saying, “Who is My mother, or My brothers?”34 And He looked around in a circle at those who sat about Him, and said, “Here are My mother and My brothers!35 “For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother.”

B. We are a family rejoicing with one another, crying with one another, helping each other

1. We need each other's support.

(Rom 12:15 NKJV) Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

II. I need church to learn the Word of God.

A. Learning was a part of the life of the early church.

(Acts 2:42 NKJV) And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.

1. Knowledge of God is a vital part of our Christian life.

(Hosea 4:6 NKJV) My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.

2. Knowing God is essential to being ready to meet Him at the last day.

(2 Th 1:7-8 NKJV) and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, {8} in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

3. Knowing God does involve our obedience to His commands.

(1 John 2:3-6 NKJV) Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. {4} He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. {5} But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. {6} He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

B. Our Bible study classes on Sunday morning and Wednesday evening give us opportunity to ask questions and share ideas.

1. The first century church evidently had some classes similar to ours.

1 Corinthians 14:29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge. 30 But if anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged.

2. When we assemble together, we have the opportunity to encourage each other and to be encouraged.

III. I need church because it's a refuge.

A. The church is a place to get away from the busyness of the world.

· It's a mini retreat.

· It's a place to focus my thoughts on things above,

· It’s a place to worship God. – I owe that to Him. – Some have failed to honor God as they should and have been condemned for it.

Romans 1:21 “because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.22 Professing to be wise, they became fools,23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves,

IV. I need church because it's like a billboard.

A. As my neighbors see me go down to that building on the corner week after week, they can tell what is important in my life.

· Some early Christians did not want to attend church because it did identify them as Christians and subjected them to persecution.

· If all my brothers and sisters are there too, the neighbors may wonder what is going on that attracts people so regularly. – People do notice us whether we are aware of it or not.

V. I need church because it's a memorial service.

“Imagine that I had been in a war and one of my buddies threw himself on an enemy hand grenade to save me‑and it killed him. Suppose I learned there was to be a memorial service for him in my hometown. Would I be there? Of course!”

A. And since Jesus died for me, it's to honor Him that I attend His memorial service. It's to honor Him that I remember His death by taking communion.

1 Corinthians 11:23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread;24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.27 Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.

I need church because it's a victory celebration.

· Jesus left an empty tomb. We can celebrate His resurrection together.

· At least one day a week should be set aside for remembering Jesus' triumph over death and Satan.

VI. Finally, I need church because it's a time to spend with my Father.

A. Our presence is one way of our showing our honor for God.

(Mal 1:6 NKJV) "A son honors his father, And a servant his master. If then I am the Father, Where is My honor? And if I am a Master, Where is My reverence?

VII. I'm a child of God.

· As my Father, He's not cold and aloof He delights in spending time with me, and I want to be with Him.

· God wants to reveal His plans to me. And I want to get in on the details, to cooperate with Him.

· But He's not only my Father; He's our Father.

· And Christ is not just my Savior; He's our Savior.

A Jesus said that when two or three are gathered together in His name, He is there.

Matthew 18:20 “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”

And God has warned me not to forsake gathering with other believers.

Hebrews 10:25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

Conclusion

I need church because I'm a part of a family,

I have lots to learn, and I need to have a retreat.

I know what my priorities are.

I respect Christ's death and am overjoyed by His resurrection.

I want to spend time with my Father and other believers.

That's why I need church!

I. But for the church to be all it can be for us, we must be in a right relationship with God.

II. If you’re not a Christian, you can become one today if you’re willing to obey Him.

III. If you aren’t what you should be and need to make things right, you can do that today.

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