Attending church
Why does it matter if I go to church?
Fans attend games because they love the game. Being among a loud and boisterous home crowd conveys the excitement and fervor of the moment better than watching the game on television at home alone. Even gathered among a few friends at home is better than just watching the Super Bowl alone.
The whole purpose of Weight Watchers is to meet every week to offer one another encouragement in the fight against the bulge. Rejoicing with those who have made progress and comforting those who have had set backs, is a prime reason for membership.
An individual can read the Bible alone, speak to the Lord in prayer alone, and sing praises to God alone. But the excitement of praising God with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs is so much better even with a few friends. Being with fellow believers to celebrate the victory our God has won for us over sin, death, and the devil is such an encouragement to us as we live our lives here on earth.
We as believers join a church because we as Christians are not meant for isolation. The devil comes looking to tempt us when we are alone. He knows it is easier to get us to despair, to worry, and to be discouraged when we are alone. The encouragement of fellow believers is a prime reason for having a church to call home.
One may feel at times that they don't need the encouragement of others. The role God is playing in their life is good and they are happy. But another one of our roles as a believer is to serve one another in love. Our presence as part of a church is an encouragement to fellow believers. We can share how God is working in our lives, how we are comforted knowing he is in control of the world, how we have peace because we are forgiven for all we have done, and how we are sure of eternal life in heaven.
A piece of coal taken out of the fireplace and left to burn alone will soon grow cold. But those pieces of coal left together will burn bright and hot because of the coals around them. "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
Answer:
Baseball fans go to baseball games. Football fans go to football games. People belong to health clubs. People join churches. Why?Fans attend games because they love the game. Being among a loud and boisterous home crowd conveys the excitement and fervor of the moment better than watching the game on television at home alone. Even gathered among a few friends at home is better than just watching the Super Bowl alone.
The whole purpose of Weight Watchers is to meet every week to offer one another encouragement in the fight against the bulge. Rejoicing with those who have made progress and comforting those who have had set backs, is a prime reason for membership.
An individual can read the Bible alone, speak to the Lord in prayer alone, and sing praises to God alone. But the excitement of praising God with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs is so much better even with a few friends. Being with fellow believers to celebrate the victory our God has won for us over sin, death, and the devil is such an encouragement to us as we live our lives here on earth.
We as believers join a church because we as Christians are not meant for isolation. The devil comes looking to tempt us when we are alone. He knows it is easier to get us to despair, to worry, and to be discouraged when we are alone. The encouragement of fellow believers is a prime reason for having a church to call home.
One may feel at times that they don't need the encouragement of others. The role God is playing in their life is good and they are happy. But another one of our roles as a believer is to serve one another in love. Our presence as part of a church is an encouragement to fellow believers. We can share how God is working in our lives, how we are comforted knowing he is in control of the world, how we have peace because we are forgiven for all we have done, and how we are sure of eternal life in heaven.
A piece of coal taken out of the fireplace and left to burn alone will soon grow cold. But those pieces of coal left together will burn bright and hot because of the coals around them. "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
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AC V has left a new comment on your post "Deep Thoughts from WELS":
And that, my friends, is the result of UOJ. NOT ONE WORD about the sacraments or the Keys. And why should the author include them? After all, worship is just where "We can share how God is working in our lives (outside the means of grace), ... how we have peace because we are forgiven for all we have done (no need for the means of grace),...."
No wonder fewer people feel the need to go to church. It's only to encourage and be encouraged. One big pep rally led by a motivational speaker wandering around the chancel. Nothing more special than a Weight Watchers gathering.
Thank you for posting. This confirms (again) how far off track WELS is.
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AC V has left a new comment on your post "Deep Thoughts from WELS":
Here's how the Lutheran Fathers would have answered the question. (It's not even on the radar for WELS. For WELS it's all about the warm fuzzies, what CORE et al specialize in.):
"The people are accustomed to partake of the Sacrament together, .... The people are also advised concerning the dignity and use of the Sacrament, how great consolation it brings anxious consciences, that they may learn to believe God, and to expect and ask of Him all that is good.... This worship pleases God; such use of the Sacrament nourishes true devotion toward God." - AC XXIV
