Why Should I Go To Church?

[silence_dogood]

What's the point of it? My church is in my home, my backyard, my car, my mother's house, my daughter's house, my church is wherever I am because the kingdom of god is inside me and god is literally everywhere.

The gospel of Thomas recorded Jesus words as "Where there are two or one, I am with him." Split a piece of wood, and I am there. Lift up the stone, and you will find me there."

I've never found church to be a place of inspiration, rather the opposite. I"m inspired by the beauty of nature, not the opulence of a man made building.

I"ve always found church to be nothing more then a social function, a political arena, a fashion show, and a place of showy displays.

I see a multi million dollar building, and then a homeless man sleeping in a cardboard box across the street. I see people spending millions of dollars to support this building, while many of the people there are hungry and in need of help. I see preachers living in mansions and driving BMW's while I'm struggling to pay my mortgage every month. I see social clicks, snobby people, unwelcoming to strangers when I go to church. I see alot of talk and not alot of practical doing, it's like a big production without substance.

Recently, my mom found one tiny neighborhood church that is very downscale, humble, modest, so I might check it out, (even tho I vowed to never attend church again) but the big ones make me sick. But, I dont' really even see the point of going.

So..........what's the point? Please explain it to me since I seem to be the oddball around here.

I don't see how anyone can say they love Christ and not love the church for which He died.

 

[Lisa*Lisa]

I don't see how anyone can say they love Christ and not love the church for which He died.

He died for every person on this planet, not just the church.

 

[OrthodoxyUSA]

I was baptized when I became one of Jehovah's Witnesses. I don't think it matters exactly who baptizes you as it's a symbolic display of your faith. It's between you and God, not the person doing the dunking.

Jehovah's Witnesses baptism is not acceptable as a proper baptism to any of the Apostolic Churches because Jehovah's Witnesses are not counted as christian.

It is not only a display of your faith. It is also the entrance ceremony 'into' The Church and the christian community.

When we are baptised we join ourselves to Christ in HIS death, burial and resurrection.

Forgive me...

 

[silence_dogood]

He died for every person on this planet, not just the church.

Lisa, I'm not going to get into what the Bible says with you, because you've made it very clear that you don't defer to the authority of scripture, but I will just say that your attitude toward the church shows your real attitude toward Christ.

 

[christianmomof3]

The church is the Body of Christ. It is not a religious organization. Whenever two or three are gathered together in His name - in Him, taking Him as our head, that is the church.
As Orth said, we need to gather together with other Christians.
God does not want a bunch of individual Christians, but rather He wants a built up Body.
We gather together in Him not only for our own benefit, but also for His benefit.
When we gather together, we pray together, praise Him and enjoy His life together.
Fellowship is not just vertical but also horizontal.
Our relationship should be with God directly and also with Him through other members of His Body.
If you are not in fellowship with the Body, you are missing out and the Body is missing your portion.
It sounds like the churches that you have seen so far have not been right for you. That is ok. Maybe they are right for some of the people who meet with them.
You need to pray and ask the Lord to guide you to other believers who you can have fellowship with. Ask Him to bring you to His Body. He will.
It may not be a big church or a small church or a home group even. It may just be one or two other believers to fellowship with in His life. Or it may suprise you and be a large group.
Just pray and ask the Lord to guide you in this matter.

 

[Lisa*Lisa]

Lisa, I'm not going to get into what the Bible says with you, because you've made it very clear that you don't defer to the authority of scripture, but I will just say that your attitude toward the church shows your real attitude toward Christ.

Wow, judge much?

Matthew 7:3-5 (New International Version)


3"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

 

[Lisa*Lisa]

Lisa, I'm not going to get into what the Bible says with you, because you've made it very clear that you don't defer to the authority of scripture, but I will just say that your attitude toward the church shows your real attitude toward Christ.

Let me just add one more thing. This is EXACTLY the reason I stay away from churches, because they are filled with judgmental people like you and I can't deal with that at all.

 

[jpcedotal]

Christianity is all about relationships. First with God, then with others. Others does not mean just the Lost. We are to fellowship and interact and help and love our Christian brothers and sisters as well.

Church, for me, gives me a chance to be around others who take God in all three persons and the Word as seriously as I do. It is like recharging my spiritual battery for the week. When I miss church for whatever reason good or bad, the world beats me down quickly, even with daily study and prayer. I go to church first to worship God publicly and second, I get to see the Word and God in action in others.

 

[student ad x]

What's the point of it?

The author of Hebrews exhorted believers not to forsake gathering with the rest of the family of believers.

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. Hebrews 10:23-25

 

[Fireinfolding]

Come on guys, we're missing you in there!

I know all the stuff about Abraham, Jacob, John the Baptist, etc all finding God "out in the wilderness", but heck, there are a lot of good people in church with a lot of bad habits from never meeting "real" people.

You know how often I feel like a wierdo for trying to talk to people I don't know? That's our family, and when we get to heaven we have no choice to but to co-exist in the same building so why not start down here?

Im not into bingo and barbeques Ok I know thats not everywhere but I never really met folks herded into a big building, I just sat by them... that was the extent of the "fellowship" which I wouldnt really call fellowship. But Im not alone without "real people" (as you say) I know alot of christians who are awesome as heck to fellowship in the word with. When I compare the two theres just no comparison, but if I would chose (and I have) I prefer the smaller more intimate setting among those God has knitted me together with over time then being in a place where I dont feel knitted together but actually herded together with (if you know what I mean)?

Its more then co-existing in the same building to me because I can easily co-exist with anyone anywhere, if I were in prison I could co-exist with other prisoners but I wouldnt call that "fellowship" (Hey look we are seated near one another in our cells, but closer still at Chowhall)

So I simply gather with those I feel a sweet fellowship and still share in the great addiction we have concerning the ministry of the Saints but its not located on the corner of a "314 helm street" in the "state of" wherever under a newly shingled roof seated on an uncomfortable wooden pew knocking knees with uncle Fred (who has fallen asleep again during the sermon)

Theres a LIVEL STONE for ya

 

[Dorothea]

To worship God with His Body, and most importantly, to partake of His Holy Gifts, and in attending regularly helps edify you and grow in Christ.

 

[Dorothea]

I've already been baptized, and I couldn't care less what happens to my body once I"m dead. They can feed it to the birds for all I care, which is actually better for the environment anyway.

So please explain how only the christian community can teach me the "given" meaning of the scriptures? I can't read and discern for myself with the brain that god gave me? Letting others teach me led me straight into a christian cult for 7 long years. That's the danger of letting others teach you. I'll never make that mistake again.

I'm sorry you have such a disregard for the body God gave you, the body that was baptized, filled with the Holy Spirit and is the temple of Holy Spirit. That body that you wish to discard to the birds will be reunited to your soul at His Second Coming, regenerated into a glorious new body.

Well, you will not learn anything if your mind is full of pride and dominated by what your ego/mind thinks. Of course, you have to watch what church you go to. It's best to attend one that has remained stedfast and is guided by the Holy Spirit for the past nearly 2000 years. JMO.

 

[talitha]

Well, Lisa, I will try to answer your OP, and hope that you will consider what I say.

What's the point of it? My church is in my home, my backyard, my car, my mother's house, my daughter's house, my church is wherever I am because the kingdom of god is inside me and god is literally everywhere.

Actually the church is wherever saints are gathered in His name, and of course it can be in someone's home - it certainly was in homes in the beginning. But it does need to be intentionally "in His name". Sometimes we think - oh, I am "fellowshipping", when really Jesus is not invited in to the get-together. I've even been to gatherings that were called "bible studies" and "prayer meetings" that really ended up just being gabfests. Not the church.

The gospel of Thomas recorded Jesus words as "Where there are two or one, I am with him." Split a piece of wood, and I am there. Lift up the stone, and you will find me there."

I don't know who wrote the gospel of Thomas, but it is not a real gospel. The portion you quoted seems to me to be a rationalization of someone who wants to avoid congregating with other believers.

I've never found church to be a place of inspiration, rather the opposite. I"m inspired by the beauty of nature, not the opulence of a man made building.

I understand that, but I don't believe "church" is supposed to be a place of inspiration, except maybe through the words of some of the people. Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. It is supposed to be a place of instruction, correction, accountability, growth, character-building, etc. - none of which are necessarily comfortable.

I"ve always found church to be nothing more then a social function, a political arena, a fashion show, and a place of showy displays.

I can understand that too. People are people.... *sigh*

Recently, my mom found one tiny neighborhood church that is very downscale, humble, modest, so I might check it out.....

I hope you find what you need. I do agree with one poster who said that you are vulnerable when you are out there alone. The wolf preys upon the lone sheep.

In closing.... I would like to know how and why you got out of the Jehovah's Witnesses. Most people who are once deceived by this cult remain deceived. I believe that some of your feelings about organized church may be held over from feeling betrayed or deceived by the JWs.

blessings
tal

 

[nephilimiyr]

Let me just add one more thing. This is EXACTLY the reason I stay away from churches, because they are filled with judgmental people like you and I can't deal with that at all.

Oh, that's another thing I should've added to that post of mine. After they have wined and dined you to try and get you to join their church and then see that you're truely not interested they will start to treat you in a different way, you'll still have that target on you but the darts they throw at you will begin to sting.

I think you're doing the right thing. Jesus said those who seek will find and if you seek first his kingdom and make it a priority than everything else will fall in line.

 

[OrthodoxyUSA]

Discarding our bodies is not the example that Christ and his Apostles taught us.

Forgive me...

 

[silence_dogood]

Wow, judge much?

Lisa, what I said was taken from 1 John, so it may not be judgement you're feeling, but conviction.

Let me just add one more thing. This is EXACTLY the reason I stay away from churches, because they are filled with judgmental people like you and I can't deal with that at all.

If you can't deal with it, then maybe it's a good thing that you're not a part of a local assembly, because the Bible is very clear that churches are to judge. In fact, did you know that the church at Corinth was rebuked for not judging a member who was found to be in sin

 

[nephilimiyr]

See, now that was a real stinger.

 

[laconicstudent]

Jehovah's Witnesses baptism is not acceptable as a proper baptism to any of the Apostolic Churches because Jehovah's Witnesses are not counted as christian.

It is not only a display of your faith. It is also the entrance ceremony 'into' The Church and the christian community.

When we are baptised we join ourselves to Christ in HIS death, burial and resurrection.

Forgive me...

I agree, a baptism by the Jehovah's Witnesses doesn't follow the Trinitarian formula commanded by Christ.

 

[Lisa*Lisa]

I agree, a baptism by the Jehovah's Witnesses doesn't follow the Trinitarian formula commanded by Christ.

These little "rules" remind me of the Pharisees.

 

[Lisa*Lisa]

Oh, that's another thing I should've added to that post of mine. After they have wined and dined you to try and get you to join their church and then see that you're truely not interested they will start to treat you in a different way, you'll still have that target on you but the darts they throw at you will begin to sting.

I think you're doing the right thing. Jesus said those who seek will find and if you seek first his kingdom and make it a priority than everything else will fall in line.

I"m pleasantly surprised to say that we are on the same page.