{"id":323,"date":"2016-04-09T20:32:49","date_gmt":"2016-04-10T01:32:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mens.missionsoflight.com\/?p=323"},"modified":"2016-04-19T12:29:49","modified_gmt":"2016-04-19T16:29:49","slug":"attending-church","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mens.missionsoflight.com\/?p=323","title":{"rendered":"Attending Church"},"content":{"rendered":"

Topic: 04162016\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 MOL Men’s Ministry<\/b><\/i><\/p>\n

Attending Church<\/b><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

Do I need to go to church to make it into Heaven? I hear this question a lot these days, from all generations. So, today we will discuss what God’s Word tells us on the subject. We will share thoughts and opinions as well.<\/p>\n

Surprisingly, many people prefer not to go to church these days. There can be a multitude of reasons for not attending. From a bad church experience in the past, judgmental people in the Church, abuse, lack of transportation, money issues, etc. Personally, the biggest reason I hear today is that one would have to change their lifestyle \/ habits in order to feel comfortable attending church regularly.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, we know things do happen in churches that turn people away. However, the Bible clearly shows that God expects Christians to gather in fellowship. There is, of course, a debate amongst some Christians about how to interpret that.<\/p>\n

We will answer questions about attending church today. One thing to keep in mind though, is that anytime we have a question about spiritual (even worldly) issues, we can always find the answer in God’s Word.<\/p>\n

Does one need to attend church to get into Heaven?<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Let me just say, that one will never get into Heaven by theirs works<\/i> or good deeds<\/i>. Salvation isn’t something that is earned<\/i> by works. Christ did the work on the cross. We are saved by God’s grace when we place our faith in Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.\u201d (Ephesians 2:8-9)<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

So to answer the question. You will not lose your salvation by missing church or gain salvation by attending church. One saying that I’ve heard many times is: \u201cGoing to church won\u2019t make you a Christian any more that being in a garage makes you a car.\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s when you place your complete trust and faith in Jesus Christ, that is when salvation occurs. Plain and simple.<\/p>\n

\u201cJesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me<\/span>.\u201d (John 14:6)<\/span><\/p>\n

When you place your complete faith and trust in Jesus Christ, you will be born again. The Holy Spirit will begin to dwell within your body. He will lead you to truth, teach you obedience, rebuke and cleanse you from sin, give you spiritual gifts, etc.<\/p>\n

[Group Questions]<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Do you believe what we just discussed (above)?<\/p>\n

What are your thoughts?<\/p>\n

What draws you to church? What pushes you away?<\/p>\n

Is it a Sin not to attend church?<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

In Ephesians 2:8-9, we learned we are saved by grace, through faith. That attending church may not have any bearing on our salvation, but it does have a bearing on our obedience. If you are not a member \/ regular attendee of a church, when nothing is physically keeping you from doing so, then you are not being fully obedient to God. Which translates to disobedience. Disobedience is sin. Obedience brings blessings. Disobedience brings negative consequences.<\/p>\n

There will be times that things will happen requiring you to miss church sometimes. That’s understandable. God knows your heart, but as Christians we have become a member of the body of Jesus Christ already. We should seek out a church that is Bible teaching \/ believing for fellowship.<\/p>\n

We can see that God’s Word clearly states that we are to fellowship regularly:<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.\u201d (Hebrews 10:24-25)<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.\u201d (Acts 20:7)<\/span><\/p>\n

The scriptures above plainly show that Christians are to meet weekly, physically, to fellowship and lift one another up. Even before the Church was established (officially taking place during Pentecost), even Jesus Himself would teach regularly at the synagogues:<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,\u201d (Luke 4:16-17)<\/span><\/p>\n

Satan would love for you to stay away from church. Because he knows you probably won\u2019t give cheerfully, or help that local church with your spiritual gifts. He will have ample opportunity to lead you into sin or false doctrines. Indeed, Satan grins when a Christian begins to backslide and stops attending church regularly.<\/span><\/p>\n

[Group Questions]<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Do you believe God calls us to Church?<\/span><\/p>\n

After discussing the above, do YOU believe not attending church is a Sin?<\/span><\/p>\n

What are your thoughts?<\/span><\/p>\n

The benefits of attending church:<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n