Duh? What's all this about church?

My next three blogs

1. Why go to church?
2. What is the ‘church?’
3. How to find the right congregation?

Why go to church?

1. The bottom line—it’s not optional.  Hebrews 10:25 (NLT) “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”
2. There are various pictures of the church in the New Testament and they are pictures that infer relationship and connection.
1. There is the picture of the body.  So the church is a body.  A body is made of  many parts.  To be a non-churched believer is like seeing an ‘arm’ shuffling down the street, driving a car, watching a movie, or cutting grass.  
2. There is the picture of a building.  So the church is a building.  A building is made up of many parts.  You don’t see a pile of 2 by 4’s and say—there is my house!
3. The church is a vine—we are all individual members. John 15:5 (NLT) “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”
3. You go to church because you are a follower of Christ.  As a follower of Christ you are two things
1. First, you are following Christ.  You are not in charge of your life.  You are not lord, saviour, ruler, king—Jesus is.
2. Second, you are part of a group of other followers.  You are not on your own.  Your identity is first of all—in Christ, and second—with others.
3. IN Christ——WITH Others.
4. You go to church because of what the church does for you. 
1. The church provides a spiritual covering for you.  Hebrews 13:17 (NLT) “Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit.”
2. The church provides a place for prayer, mutual edification, love, protection, and help. Colossians 3:12-17 (NLT) “Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.  Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.  Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.”
3. The church loves you—lays down it’s life for you!  John 15:12-13 (NLT) “This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
5. You go to church because of what you do for the church.
1. As already noted—the church is a building, a family, a vine—-which means you are an important and necessary part of the life and progress of the church.  The church cannot exist without you.  Ephesians 4:15-16 (NLT) “Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.”
2. You love the church and will lay down your life for others.  John 15:12-13 (NLT) “This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”