Jesus Didn't Go to Church. Why Should I?

You rarely or never hear this logic because the church was not birthed until after Jesus left the earth. As silly as such an excuse would be, some reasoning for not attending church is just as illogical.

So what is the big deal about going to church? After all isn't it is just some human institution? No, the church was and is God’s idea! In fact Jesus did some pre-church teaching about that. It then became part of His plan for man (Matthew 16:18; 18:15-17).

God knew that humans need an accountability structure. In a bulk of the Old Testament the Lord established a system called the Law, given to Moses. That system had over 3,000 laws by which the followers of God were expected to follow. God knows that if we are left to our own self-imposed disciplines, we will slide to comfortable levels far below what the Lord would want of us.

Some people meet in homes for Bible study and call it a church. That does not constitute a church unless expected guidelines for a church found in the Bible are met. These are quite specific and really outline a structure of disciplines. Group Bible study can be very productive, and I encourage it. However, it is not a substitute for church in the light of what Scripture spells out.

Even more serious are the excuses of home repair, family recreation day, company came over, or I just don’t get much out of church. These statements are often given to explain why one fails to bring their family to church. These will be shaky foundations to stand upon when we face Christ on the final Day of Judgment.

Church is not man’s idea; and it is not always comfortable or entertaining, but God knows all believers need it. And if the institution of the church was in place when Jesus was on earth, HE would have been consistently in church. Can we get by with less? You will have to answer that question yourself.

The new Worship Pastor is here and will lead worship this Sunday. Please be here to welcome Jonathan and Julia Wimp and their new baby, Nelly. We expect Jonathan to add a new and exciting dimension to Hannaford.

Dick Crosby, Senior Pastor