Is Going To Church Really So Important?

(Part 1 of a 2 Part Series: “The Christian and His Church”) I heard a joke a few years back that always seems to raise a chuckle. Two fishermen were in their boat early on Sunday morning, hoping to spend the day and bring in a big haul. One of the men finally broke silence and said, “You know, I really feel a little guilty for not going to church today.” The other said, “Well, I don’t see why you ought to think like that. I couldn’t have gone to church today anyway.” The first man asked, “Why not?” The other replied, “…Because, my wife is at home sick.”

Unfortunately, that just about sums up the feelings that many people have about going to church. Although there are a lot of people, perhaps even a majority, who claim to be Christian in America today, it seems that only a small number make a habit of going regularly to church. In the early 1990’s the Barna Research group conducted a survey and reported that nearly half of the people of our nation (47 %) believe that the Bible does not make a stipulation or command that people should go to church. They believe that churchgoing is a “man-made” commandment. I have met many people in my ministry who do not believe that it is necessary for a person to go to church. One man said that he could get much closer to God in a river boat fishing than he could sitting in church on a Sunday morning. Many others have protested against church saying they could not stand to go to church because there were so many hypocrites in church. Perhaps one of the most honest complaints people have is that they claim they don’t feel as though they get anything out of church. For a large number of people, however, these are excuses. The fact is, it is too easy to get out of the habit of attending church, and it is too easy to be too lazy to get up and go on Sunday, or to decide there is somewhere else you would rather go. But aside from the laziness or excuses, is it really important that we go to church? Does the Bible really command us to attend church? Isn’t it possible we can do as well or better as a Christian without going to church?

It is absolutely necessary that we clearly understand that the Bible does in fact, command us to attend church. It is true that it is not one of the Ten Commandments, but that does not mean there are not other commands in Scripture. Hebrews 10:25 clearly stipulates that we must be careful that we should be “…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.” The author of Hebrews tells us we must assemble together in church. For the Hebrew Christians, there was a price to pay for this. There would often be persecution for having been seen gathering with others to worship. Notice the reason given for this. We are to “exhort one another,” that is, “encourage each other.” The primary reason for going to church is so we can love each other and lift each other up as we go about our Christian walk. I need the encouragement, and I need to encourage others! This encouragement needs to take place “so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” In other words, we have an even greater need of encouragement as time goes along because times are getting worse as we see the Day of Judgment drawing nearer. Who is going to encourage you in the river boat? The fish?

Jesus attended worship every week. He never missed! Also, Paul, Peter, and John and all the disciples gathered weekly if not daily. How can you hear the word of God without listening to a preacher preach? How can you be taught what the Bible means without sitting under a good teacher of Scripture? How can you give to missions and for needy causes without contributing in church? Some would remark “I can stay at home and read books or listen to preaching on the radio and TV, and send my money in.” That is a poor substitute! The Scripture commands us to fellowship together, to love pray together, and to teach one another. You cannot do all that at home sitting in front of a television! Jesus commanded us to partake of the Lord’s Supper by saying, “Do this in remembrance of me.” How are you going to partake of the Lord’s Supper with other disciples while sitting in a boat holding a rod and reel?
Make no mistake about it; it is a sin not to attend church. There is no possible way you can live a solid strong Christian life without attending a Bible preaching, Bible teaching, and Bible believing church. You simply cannot learn enough of the biblical and Christian principles for living all by yourself in order to be an effective Christian. Not even a pastor can do that. If you are not attending church anywhere at this time in your life, I urge you with all my heart to ask God’s forgiveness for that. Find a church where you can hear God’s Word preached and you can get around other Christians who will love you, encourage you, and strengthen you. “And [Jesus] came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.” (Luke 4:16) (Next week: we will talk about reasons why people believe they don’t get anything out of church.)

James Sanders
Pastor, First Baptist Church
sandersjc@yahoo.com