Why Meet With Christians Regularly?
Vehicle problems left me stranded. I asked for a ride. Being grateful for the kindness of a stranger, I offered a gift of eternal value. A question followed, “Do you have a church home?”
“No,” my new friend said, “I do not go to church.” By this he meant that he did not gather together with Christians in any certain place regularly. He paused. There was a silence. I waited. He added, “I just always believed that you do not have to go to church to believe in the Lord.”
The door was open. The opportunity was glorious.
“My Friend, let me share with you a story.” Then I told him about an 80-year-old man in Iran that Jesus appeared to in a dream. He was given instructions to go to a certain city, a certain street, a certain door, to knock and to ask for more information about Jesus. A WALK of 1,000 miles brought the man into the company of Christians who discipled him!
The 80-year-old born-again believer in Jesus Christ then walked 1,000 miles home to share the news at risk of his life. He became the pastor of a few believers. Later, he walked again 1,000 miles back to meet again with the Christians who had first discipled him.
“What is so phenomenal,” I continued, “is that people in countries where there are few Christians immediately seek out other Christians when they come to know Jesus. One of the first desires after meeting Jesus is to find others who love Jesus.”
What value is there in going to Church (notice the capital “C” – which refers to Matthew 16:18, not a building)? First, there is celebration and worship of the Most High God and praise and honor to Jesus Christ Our Redeemer. Second, there is joy in knowing that others are partners in the greatest adventure of all time.
We are pilgrims in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation. We are on our way to the Heavenly City, New Jerusalem. There will be streets of gold, gates, of precious stones, no night, always day, pure water, no sin, and no devil. Even better, we will be able to look upon Our God and to talk with Our Lord Jesus, being in their presence forever. Oh, yes, there is more. We will be with all those who have ever been faithful and lived righteously in the victory of a Resurrected Lord who shed His blood on Calvary, died and arose from the grave!
Imagine asking Daniel to tell the story of sleeping in a den of lions.
Imagine asking Adam how the Garden of Eden looked through human eyes.
Imagine asking Noah to tell about living in the Ark.
Imagine asking Moses to tell about the opening of the Red Sea.
Imagine asking Elijah to tell about Mount Carmel.
Imagine asking David to tell about his meeting with Goliath.
Imagine asking Jesus to share about His Passion, His love for us.
There is more. Why do I gather with Christians regularly? Because it helps me to remember that I am mortal. Weekly worship lifts my spirits and helps to sanctify my mind from the worldly things seen and heard that pollute the spirit. The soul is refreshed as the mundane and carnal retreat in the atmosphere of exaltation music, sober prayer, and time in studying the Word of God.
I gather with others because of fellowship. I need a hug. I need a word of encouragement. I need to kneel and look a little child in the eye in assurance of my love for and faith in the child. I need to hear victory stories from other believers. I need to see families coming to recognize values that are higher than sports, work, money, and partying. I need to hear and learn about how God is working gloriously in the lives of others.
There is more. There is wisdom. In the Body of believers there is sharing. Caring about each other, we help. We help our brothers and sisters through crises. We pray with them. We counsel them. We lend a hand.
Last evening a brother called and asked, “Is there anyone that my wife and I could talk with about better managing our finances?”
“Absolutely,” I responded. You see, we have trained persons in our congregation that know how to sit with a family and guide a financial plan that blesses the family and the work of the Lord.
Time is up. Not enough space. I have told you about the incredibly fabulous joy and happiness that comes from a Body of Believers giving their resources to help send the gospel to distant lands. I have many stories of the blessing of ministering to missionaries and having them minister to me and those dear to me.
I love being around Christians in worship and service!
I shall stop this morning to visit with my new friend. I will take him a gift. I hope I can give him Jesus. I hope he decides to join with a Body of Believers and follow Jesus.
If you are local, I will see you soon in Worship. If you live far and distant and I never see you until Heaven, we shall have lots of time to talk and fellowship – FOREVER in His Presence! Until then, we will have a foretaste as we meet together with other local believers.
With love to you
And anticipation of seeing you Sunday!
Pastor Bare
Hebrews 10:24-25