Worldovercomers.org
THE IMPORTANCE OF CHURCH ATTENDANCEWhy So Many Denominations?Denominations, fellowships, and church bodies grow out of man’s desire to affiliate and associate under a common doctrine – with an express purpose in mind. This purpose can cover a multitude of doctrinal opinions. And due to wide-ranging interpretations of the Word of God, various churches (assemblies) have sprung up all over the world, all within the broadest definition of the word Christian. Therefore, we have Baptist, Methodist, Word of Faith, Pentecostal, COGIC, Holiness, Assemblies of God, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Episcopalian, Nazarene, and many other churches, all of which consider themselves Christian. What is a Local Church? A local church may be defined as a company of redeemed people under the lordship of Jesus Christ in any locality or community, who voluntarily unite themselves together as a part of the universal church for the purpose of establishing themselves in the faith of the gospel, evangelizing their community, and propagating the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Expressions of Commitment in a Local ChurchTo commit means to promise or pledge. Commitment to a church family is similar to commitment in a natural family. When a person is committed to a local assembly, it means several things:It means that he is committing himself to a specific church family (Psalm 68:1-6).It means that he is willing to support the vision and direction of that family.It means that he is willing to come under the authority in that family (Hebrews 13:17).It means that he is willing to give his time and energy to that family.It means that he is committed to the gathering times of that family.It means that he is committed to financial support of that family. It means that he is committed in a special way to the members of that family. It means that he is willing to bear the burdens of that family. The Importance of Local Church MembershipAs Christians, fellowship with other believers is essential to our spiritual growth (Hebrews 10:25). We should not be isolated from the rest of the Body of Christ, but we should share our gifts and wisdom for the benefit of others (1 Corinthians 12:7). Worshipping together unites our voices and hearts in praise to experience God’s abiding presence. Hearing the Word of God feeds our spirits and gives us life and growth; we learn the ways, will, plans and purposes of God. Praying together encourages the sharing of our burdens, Listening to testimonies of others strengthens our faith (Mark 5:19). And finally, accountability for our lives keeps us from going astray. Why We Need a Church Home1. Our spiritual fires must keep burning. We need other believers who will keep us stirred up and encourage us to hold on to the Lord (Hebrews 10:25). We lose that when we get out from under the Word of God. 2. Baby Christians need a family. New converts, like babies, need a support system, spiritual parents, or a family to survive and grow (1 Peter 2:2). We must receive the love and care of others who are mature in the faith. 3. We belong to God’s army. We face a spiritual battle against Satan and the kingdom of darkness. We need the support, camaraderie and spiritual war skills of other soldiers. Just as armies are divided into squads and platoons, so is the church of the Lord. The church meets as an army on Sunday and scatters into platoons and squads in homes during the week. We are trained and equipped for battle. 4. We are called to fit together in relationship. The Bible states that the church is like a spiritual house (1 Peter 2:4-5). Just like bricks are placed side by side or on top of each other, so we as believers are to be fitly joined together and connected in relationship. There is something for us in other believers. God will use others to bless us. For this reason, small groups of a church are very important. 5. The church provides leaders to equip us in our Christian walk (Titus 1:5). 6. The church corrects and protects us from spiritual traps and dangerous activities and doctrines (Ephesians 4:14). 7. The church helps hold our lives accountable to other people when faced with temptation and attacks of the enemy (1 Corinthians 10:13). Believers are there to exhort, comfort, and uphold us in prayer. The Purpose of the Local Church According to God’s Word, the church is supposed to:1. Recognize Jesus Christ as Lord and sovereign head of the church. 2. Do the work of Jesus in the earth (Luke 4:18).3. Demonstrate the love of Christ to the world and the power of the Holy Spirit. 4. Teach and preach God’s Word uncompromisingly, through weekly worship services and other such gatherings. 5. To encourage positive, victorious successful living by Christ’s ability.6. To work with and assist the universal Body of Christ.7. To share the responsibility in fulfilling the Great Commission, that is to evangelize all nations. 8. To promote unity and fellowship among the members of the Body of Christ. 9. To regularly administer the ordinances of Christ, namely, communion and water baptism.10. To perfect, mature, equip the local body to do the work of the ministry and establish ministries in the church to accomplish this goal. 11. To promote and support world missions.12. To care for the poor, needy, aged, destitute, and to provide ministry to the sick oppressed, bound and the captive. 13. To regularly bring the local church anointed five-fold ministries for the spiritual growth of members. 14. To provide biblical, educational instruction opportunities to adults, youth and children.15. To examine candidates for the ministry, to license and ordain ministers and elders. Our Part in the Local Church1. Be filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:9).2. Consistently attend the worship services in our local church (Hebrews 10:25). 3. Pray for and honor our pastor and be wholeheartedly committed to his vision. 4. Find our place in the body (1 Corinthians 12:18-20), as this brings security and confidence (Romans 12:3). 5. Admit our need of fellow believers (1 Corinthians 12:21). The church is our life support system, so we should not be afraid to draw on the life of God through others in the church, nor be so independent that we cannot be helped, advised, or corrected. 6. Value other believers (1 Corinthians 12:22-24) and encourage them.7. Care for the body (1 Corinthians 12:26), practice hospitality (Romans 12:13; 1 Peter 4:8), and look for practical ways to share and help our brothers and sisters in the church (Galatians 6:10; Hebrews 10:24). 8. Make love our aim and earnestly desire spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 13:1-3; 14:1).9. Get involved in the Great Commission and fulfill Mark 16:15-20, winning souls and discipling them. 10. Regularly give financial support to God’s work with tithes and offerings (Malachi 3:8-11). 11. Obey and submit to your pastor’s leadership (Hebrews 13:17). ................
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