In my most
recent blog I shared my honest feelings about how difficult it is for me to
understand how someone who is a Christian can’t find, one hour and fifteen
minutes to attend a service completely devoted to worshiping God. I understand that this is really not much of
an issue to someone who doesn’t understand the importance of church from a
biblical perspective. So, humor me, and
let me take a minute to write about that.
The New
Testament repeatedly emphasizes the importance of local assemblies (another
name for church). This is clear from the
ministry of the Apostle Paul as he established local congregations in the
cities where he preached the gospel (see the Book of Acts). In addition, Hebrews 10:24-25 not only
commands every believer to be a part of such a local body but also reveals why
this is necessary. And
let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not
giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging
one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (NIV) It’s
in the local body where we find the intimacy that is required to spur one
another on "to love and good deeds." And it’s in this setting that we
can encourage one another.
Here’s
another thing. The New Testament teaches
that every believer is to be under the protection and nurture of the leadership
of the local assembly/church. These
godly men shepherd believers by encouraging, admonishing, and teaching them and
by providing accountability. Hebrews
13:7 says, Remember your leaders, who
spoke the word of God to you. Consider
the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. (NIV) Hebrews
13:17 says, Have confidence in your
leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as ones
who must give an account. Do this so
their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to
you. (NIV) This is something that should be noted by
Christians who show more loyalty to various para-church ministries, Bible studies and Bible Clubs than to the
local church. Those kinds of
“ministries” don’t have the same God ordained structure as the local
church. And if this were not enough, Paul
gave Timothy special instructions about “public meetings” (another name for
church) when he wrote in I Timothy 4 :13 Until
I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to
teaching. (NIV) This is exactly what happens at MPCC
every Saturday night and Sunday morning, we read the Scriptures and then give
an explanation and application.
But perhaps
the best example of the importance of the local church comes from Acts 2:42
where we see exactly what the first church did when they met together. They
devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking
of bread and to prayer. (NIV) In the New Testament church the believers
gathered so they could learn God's Word and how it impacted their lives. They gathered, not only to learn, but also to
carry out acts of love and service to one another. And when they gathered they commemorated the
Lord's death and resurrection through the breaking of bread; and they prayed.
Of course, we can do these things individually, but God has called us…given us
the privilege of doing them through the local church. In Acts 2:42 it was the local church in
Jerusalem.
Here’s the bottom line,
active participation in the local church is imperative to living a life without
compromise because it’s through the ministry of the local church that a
believer can receive the kind of teaching, accountability, and encouragement
that is necessary for him to stand firm in his convictions. God has ordained
that the church provide the kind of environment where an uncompromising life
can thrive. And at Mount Pleasant
Christian Church it all begins with a commitment to one hour and fifteen
minutes.
Pastor Chris
