Do you have to go to church to be a Christian?
Have you ever wondered, “Do I have to go to church to be a Christian?” That’s really the wrong question, and it’s a bad example to even think about. The sad reality is that in the Scripture, there are no examples of people who were separated from the body of Christ. In fact, being outside of the church is considered Satan’s realm; it’s a dangerous place to be. So if you realize outside of the church is a dangerous place to be, why would you stay there? Lone ranger Christianity is really no Christianity as true Christians are always connected to the local church. In Hebrews 10, we are encouraged not to neglect the gathering together as some are in the habit of doing—it’s a dangerous thing to do. We need join together, to be together, regularly in the local church hearing the Word of God—practicing and enjoying a picture of heaven, singing and praising God and praying to Him together. Been out of church for a while? Let me encourage you, get back in this Sunday!
A dangerous trend in many church communities is what I call “church hopping” or bouncing around—changing churches once in a while or quite frequently, maybe complaining about the last thing and looking forward to the next or maybe finding your identity more in the local church or in your pastor’s name than in the name of Christ. Church hopping is dangerous. There are good reasons at times to leave a church, to move to another church, but our church commitment should be steady and steadfast—a place where we are known and where we know others. It’s a family relationship, one for the long-haul. Let me encourage you, if God’s called you to a local church, stay there; stay there as long as He as called you, and try to be as long as possible. There’s great fruit that comes with longevity in a local church body.
Have you ever wondered what God’s plan for the church is? What’s the purpose of church? Real simple: it’s three things. The church is described as the body of Christ. It’s designed for a purpose, for function and movement. One: It’s to be on the offense—taking the good news out to the lost, to those who haven’t heard or believed, and compelling them to come and enjoy the goodness of Christ. Two: Be on the defense—teaching believers the truth so they can recognize the lies to rebuke them and turn them back to the truth when they stray away from it; it’s setting up a good, firm foundation on God’s loving voice. Three: The body of Christ is united—the parts of the body come together for one purpose to honor the head, to glorify Christ, to make it all about Him and not ourselves. We’re on the offense; we’re on the defense, and we’re united together—the body of Christ, ecclesia, called out for the glory of God.
Have you ever wondered why church is so important? In Acts chapter 2, there’s an individual responsibility that we have to be part of the body of Christ—to fellowship together, to relate, enjoy and serve one another, to meet the needs of others and put the needs of others as more important than ourselves, to worship God together by giving Him glory and honor not just in songs but with our lives, to evangelize and share the Good News both in our home towns and across the earth, to pray—to correspond and connect with Jesus in prayer corporately as a body and to pray for one another, and both to be taught and to teach one another. The purpose of the church is to hear the Good News, to hear the Bible taught and explained, then take that Good News out to teach one another. I just want to encourage you to step it up to recommit to your church or to step in to church this Sunday!
You might wonder what your purpose or function is within the church. You might think, “If I’m not a pastor… If I’m not a deacon… I don’t really matter or don’t matter the same way.” Yes, there are pastors, and yet there are deacons. But the bottom line of the church is: we’re a body. All the members matter! And we all need one another. I love 1 Corinthians 12; it’s a reminder that God has gifted you with His Holy Spirit. It might be in apostles or prophets or teachers or miracles or healing or helping or administrating or tongues, but the reality is that we all have different gifts. God has gifted you in special ways. Use those gifts to honor Him in your church body. You matter, you are important, and you are needed in the body of Christ in your local church.
What is church discipline? Church discipline is a process described in Matthew 18:15-20 that involves someone being sinned against. First go to that individual personally, second with a small group, third with some level of awareness of church leadership, and finally with the church as a whole with the goal of restoration. Such confrontation of hurt and sin and truth is not an easy process, but when it is done biblically and done well, not with the intent to embarrass or condescend or be arrogant, but done with humility and love. It’s really amazing to see God work and do an act of restoration and healing between those who have been divided. Church discipline is important. God has a lot to say about it; so take it seriously and put it into practice in your church.
What are the goals of church discipline? One: Restore the relationship between a Christian, sin, and Christ (Galatians 6:1). Two: Restore the relationship between a Christian, sin, and other believers within the church with a spirit of love (2 Corinthians 2:5-11). Three: To rebuke and expel an unrepentant church member for the sake of their salvation (1 Corinthians 3:3-5). Four: To rebuke and expel an unrepentant church member for the protection of the flock (1 Corinthians 5:2, Matthew 18:17, 1 Corinthians 5:6). Five: To rebuke and expel an unrepentant church member as a warning to other church members (1 Timothy 5:20). These are five good reasons we should practice church discipline in the church.