GOD HAS SPECIAL BENEFITS FOR BELIEVERS THAT ARE FOUND IN ONE PLACE

BIBLE PASSAGE:
“And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will 
build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” 
(Matthew 16:18)

MEDITATION:
There are many people who say, “I believe in Jesus, 
but I just don’t believe in the need for attending church.”
That is like saying,
“I believe in football, but I just don’t believe in stadiums, 
the grid iron, goal posts, and shoulder pads.”

I am somewhat of a ‘sports nut’ and have endured rain, cold, and heat 
to watch my team compete and join with other fans in cheering for them.  
Thankfully I don’t have to endure those elements 
to worship the Lord in His House.
However, there are people in other parts of the world 
who willingly sacrifice their personal comfort in order to meet 
with other believers to worship the Lord and encourage each other.

Jesus loves the church.
He gave His life for the church.
If we are ever going to be victorious in the spiritual battles of life,
we need to realize that Christianity is not a “lone ranger” religion.

Look what Paul said in his letter to the Ephesians.
So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the 
pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that 
the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith 
and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to 
the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (Ephesians 4:11-13)

You might be thinking, 
“I haven’t been called as an apostle, a prophet, an evangelist, a pastor, 
or a teacher, so there is no need for my presence in church”.
There are a few flaws with that line of thinking.
First of all, every believer 
serves in some capacity as those listed in the scripture.
Secondly, every believer 
was ‘given’ to this responsibility by Christ Himself.

And lastly, even if you have not been called to serve in a visible position 
of leadership, you are called to be supportive of those who are, 
and to listen to the messages God has sent through them.
This is one of the ways, God encourages you, lifts your spirit, 
and equips you for, not only serving Him in your daily life, 
but also for coping with the trials of life. 

The church exists 
so that believers can meet as a family and win battles together.
Our society encourages people to ‘silo’ themselves 
with a mindset that we do not need others in order to worship the Lord.
That is a selfish mentality that is concocted by Satan himself.

Certainly we should worship ‘on our own’, 
but it should be in addition to obeying the Lord’s command 
to “forsake not the assembling together” with other believers.
We need to remember that there are others who need our presence 
as encouragement to them while they worship, 
(and especially those God has placed in positions of leadership).

Imagine for a moment how a sports team would be discouraged 
if only a handful of people came to watch them play.
Imagine how much enjoyment would be lost for the fans who attended the game.
We are encouraged through ‘group dynamics’ 
in a way that cannot be enjoyed when we isolate ourselves.

We have a responsibility to participate in worshipping together 
as one way of encouraging each other.
Surrendering to the Lord 
includes “committed worship” as a replacement for “convenience worship”. 

ACTION:
Hebrews 10:25 tells us to “not give up meeting together” 
(this is not a suggestion, but a biblical command).
Since God is concerned about the well-being of His children, 
and since He communicates to us through His Word,
then ‘meeting together’ benefits us in ways that we cannot enjoy 
until we ‘meet together’ (in obedience to His command).

Not only does our obedience have a positive impact on our own life, 
but also on the lives us others (especially our church family).
If you are not currently involved in a church, find one today.
You are missing out one of the great joys of being a Christian.

Does your plate seem full of issues that are too big to handle?
Do you have trouble finding and enjoying times of peace?
God welcomes you to His house with some gifts that you can only receive there.
Rather than rationalizing why you do not have to go to church, 
focus on why you need to be obedient to the Lord and meet with other believers.

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, thank You for establishing the church as a place 
to meet together with Your family of believers; those who have 
surrendered to You and have a desire to encourage and support each 
other. Forgive me if I have taken for granted the house You created. 
Help me to set aside my selfishness and think more about encouraging 
others and worshipping You with Your family of believers.”


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