Why do you go to church?
The Lord is reminding the remnant of its purpose. We’re seeing it in the broader church, and we’re seeing it in our local assemblies. Relative to our geographical and historical counterparts, the western church presently sits in a place of great comfort, and a discernible complacency has manifested itself in the way we gather and live. With regularity, we assemble for reasons that aren’t necessarily sinful but often lack the thoughtfulness of first century saints, and their awareness of the importance of the body.
Purpose is easily lost in repetition.
Therefore questions like the one above are very important for us to continue asking. Why do we gather? What is the purpose of a repeated program or ‘order of service?’ What informs the structure of our gatherings or any other thing we do? What are the true signs and wonders of God’s power and are we desiring them for the right reasons? If we ever get so comfortable that we stop asking questions like these, we have entered a very precarious position.
Restoring The Identity and Purpose of the Church
After Christ’s death and resurrection, he visited with His disciples. They had some questions of their own….
Acts 1:6-11
6When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? 7And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. 8But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
United by their shared love for Christ, the disciples were eager to understand word that Israel had long been familiar with. Today, at minimum the shared love for Jesus should also be why we gather together. Still, we must remember that our love FOR Him is qualified by our obedience TO Him (John 14:15-16). Thus, the question of WHAT we, disciples of today, are supposed to be doing is vitally important.
Not unlike the disciples who asked when the Lord would exalt Israel, we too eagerly ask God when our times of exaltation will come. It also common—and also not inappropriate—for us to ask when Jesus will return, given our observation of this fallen world. Jesus answer remains just as relevant today as it was then. The times and seasons for certain things are privy to the Father alone, and it is more critical that you desire the Holy Spirit to endure in the meantime.
The disciples were united by their questions. These weren’t necessarily intellectual questions about doctrine, but questions of the heart. They desired answers less related to theological debate and interpretation and more related to life, love and survival. Pressure and persecution from the outside world has a way of bringing people together in search of the things that matter most. It was a shared anticipation of Lord’s answer to these questions that brought them together at Pentecost.
Acts 2:1, 22-24, 36-38
1And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
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22Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: 23Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: 24Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.
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36Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
Three Thousand Believe
37Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
On the day of Pentecost, the Lord gave His answer in the form of the Holy Spirit, and Peter began to preach the gospel. He stood with boldness and declared to every witness of the Lord’s power that they had committed the ultimate sin against God by killing His only begotten son.
Consider, for a moment, the weight of guilt that comes with of such a realization. By this time, it was undeniable who Jesus was, and therefore, it must have been incredibly fearful to consider what God would and should do to them as a result. So they asked the obvious question, “What shall we do?”
Every believers conversion should begin with this very question. When we truly understand the penalty we deserve for our sin, we understand the role we play in crucifying the Lord of Glory. When the reality of our depravity is revealed to us, the burden of consequence should overwhelm us, leading us to the position and question—Lord, what must I do to be saved?
Peter’s answer was clear then and it is clear today. Repent.
Acts 16:25-30
25And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. 26And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed. 27And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. 28But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. 29Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, 30And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
How the Gospel Works
This is the Gospel 101.
1.) It exposes sin and its eternal danger.
One of the great issues of the church, especially in the western world, is that people aren’t asking enough questions about eternity. A big part of the problem is that the church isn’t reminding people that this is important! This is because the church, by its actions, is demonstrating that its current possessions are more important, instead.
2.) It presents Jesus and the acceptance of the Holy Spirit as the only resolution for that sin.
Another great issue of the church is that instead of preaching the preservation of the soul through a relationship with Jesus, it focuses too much on the preservation of temporal things through relationships with powerful men.
3.) It guides the church through to the completion of salvation at the return of the Lord.
The church must keep its greatest hope on Jesus.
These are the things informed the shaping of the church.
Acts 2:42-47
42And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
43And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 44And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 46And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
Why did the early church assemble?
Everything they did was driven by what/who they desired, against the forces that opposed them.
- They discussed doctrine, because there were pure questions about the word now that Jesus had given new meaning and revelation.
- They broke bread, because there were genuine questions about how they would survive in a world who hated their savior and by extension His followers.
- They prayed, because they knew the answers to all of their questions could only come from their Father in heaven.
As they did this and sought answers to these questions:
- Signs and wonders were done among them.
- They were compelled to be helpers one to another
- They remained in one accord
- The Lord added to the church!
So, it is evident that these questions of the heart united them. Put another way…
When the collective purpose of the remnant is purified, the power of God is revealed.
The early church went from house to house, broke bread, and fellowshipped together out of a desire to understand how to see the return of the Jesus. The Lord added to the church those who had the same questions and needed the same answers—the Holy Spirit. Today, the Lord adds to our fellowship those who ask the same questions that we do. Our collective journey in life is driven by our desire to see Jesus.
Peace and Safety
As time went on, it was comfort that led to misinterpretations of scripture. Strife and contention came as a result of complacency. When you get comfortable, you stop asking the RIGHT questions.
- You have less questions about the word and what it means, because you’re more concerned about the cares of this life.
- You have less questions about concerned about how you’re going to eat, because the deceitfulness of money and its power.
- You have less questions about eternity because culture is constantly reminding you that this world and its issues are more important.
Mark 4:19
19And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.
Everything you would normally see as a manifestation of the early church has diminished because, in our hearts, people aren’t asking the right questions.
Again, the question must be asked, Why do you go to church?
1 Thessalonians 5:1-3
The Day of the Lord
1But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 2For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 3For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
If nothing else, this season should have revealed the seriousness of our calling and inspired in us, the same questions that the early church asked. The great danger is that a political victory, a recovering economy, a new job, and any number of comfortable temporal win may do just the opposite.
Lamentations 3:23-26
22It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
23They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
24The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
25The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.
26It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.
Hebrews 9:27-28
27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
The question now is the same as the disciples once had. Lord when will you return, and how can we make sure we are ready when you do? Let us consider, now, why we we gather as individuals, families and church communities. Why does God have us exactly where He has us, where we live, who we’re with, what we have/earn, where we worship?
Press in when there’s no pressure.
1 Timothy 6:3-12, 17-21
Reject False Doctrines
3If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; 4He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, 5Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
Contentment in Godliness
6But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 9But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Fight the Good Fight
11But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 12Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
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A Charge to the Rich
17Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 18That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; 19Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
Final Guidance
20O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: 21Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.
