Lesson 14: Live in Fellowship (1)
Read Hebrews 10:19-39 - https://www.bible.com/bible/59/heb.10
Why is it so important I should go to church? Can't I worship God anywhere I am? Can't I study my Bible by myself?
There are many excuses given by Christians who do not want to be a part of the church. After all, Christians are just hypocrites. Everyone knows they turn on each other any chance they get. The old charge says Christians are the only ones who kill their wounded, and in far too many cases it is true. Some would say, I do not fit in. Some would say, I am not wanted. Some would say, I am too shy to ever be involved. Some would say, churches are filled with just the weak and I can get along better by myself. Some would say, I am too busy. There are many more excuses.
In this lesson we will look at only two reasons why every Christian should be a part of a local church. We only note the fact God commands it – see Hebrews 10:25 which tells us not to abandon getting together with other believers, especially as the time of Christ's return nears. This command should, of itself, be more than enough to send us to church.
The first reason we must get together is because of what the Church (all Jesus-followers in the world) is – the body of Jesus Christ. The Church is the body and Jesus is the head (see Ephesians 1:22, 5:23, and Colossians 1:18). “What does this mean?” you might ask. In a very simple answer, we are all that remains of Jesus Christ on this earth after He ascended to glory following His resurrection. We are left to accomplish the tasks He left unfinished here on earth. "But wasn't Christ's work finished on the cross?" you might insist. Yes, His work of salvation was finished on the cross, and His work of victory over death was finished when the tomb was emptied. But there remains a work of bringing the lost into His fold. He began this with the 12 He chose, but it will not be finished until the last person He has chosen to be part of His Church is brought into the kingdom. During His earthly ministry, Jesus was only here for a period of about 33 years of earthly time. He only covered one country during His lifetime. There have been nearly 2000 years since He left walking this earth, and there are many billions of people since His time. He needed a physical body to be able to touch or heal or feed or speak so the people could hear during His earthly ministry. Now we, the Church, are His body to do this work.
*Important things for the local church you are part of:
-Jesus is preached as being God’s Son
-The Bible is read and studied faithfully
-Each Christian is encouraged to use the gifts God has given them to work in the church
*Are you a member of such a church?
*What is your role in this church, using the spiritual gift(s) God has given you?
Lesson 14: Live in Fellowship (1) Print
Modified on: Mon, 20 Nov, 2023 at 4:42 PM
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