Pastor Cheri Isioma Ajufo
Praise God!
Turn your Bibles to Hebrews 10 verse 25.
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
You should have a local Church where you belong and worship.
The Church is the family house of God. It's the house of God. It is a place where Christians go to worship God.
You don't go to Church when it is convenient for you. Going to Church is not an option.
Some sit at home believing that God is everywhere. Yes, God is everywhere, but His manifested presence is not everywhere.
They go ahead to say, you may look at me from outside, but God sees my heart, He knows how I am.
You should display your heart content publicly by going to Church. You honour God that way. And you don't do it because you want someone to know what is in your heart, you are only living like one who you are.
Going to Church is a demonstration of part of your Christianity.
When it comes to the house of God, you should not be found wanting.
It’s a godly activity, your Kingdom responsibility.
You should be at the right place at the right time.
Your office work or any other activity you are involved in should not take you away from Church. It is your due service to God.
Don't find yourself in different Churches every Sunday. You should have a local assembly where you belong.
There are different reasons why we should be in Church
Firstly, God said so.
Hebrews 10 verse 25 says,
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
This is an admonition given to us and should be adhered to as it means, following God's directives.
Secondly, Jesus did, showing us a pattern to follow.
It was habitual for Jesus, it was His custom to go to Chuch.
Luke 4 verse 16 says,
And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up: and, as his custom was, He went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.
It was His custom to always be in Church.
This should be our way of life too. It should be a habit for you. Let your life, your life's activities be centred around the temple.
Thirdly, it is a vehicle by which you function in the body of Christ.
You should be involved in your local assembly. Attending Church services help you accomplish this.
Romans 16 verse .5
Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my well-beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.
This is an example of a local assembly.
Also read Revelation 3.
If you are not committed in your local Church, then you are not functioning in the body of Christ.
Fourthly, the Church is the pillar and ground of truth.
It is in Church you are taught the Word. The Word of God is truth.
Jesus said,
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. John 17 verse 17
Turn to1 Timothy 3 verse 15.
It says,
But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
The Church is the pillar and ground of truth. The Church is the primary place to get the required teachings of God’s Word. You can't seek for them elsewhere.
Fiftly, the Church is a place of fellowship with other Christains.
As you fellowship with other believers, you grow.
Proverbs 27 verse 17 says,
Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
1 Corinthians 15 verse 33 says
Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
Going to Church helps keep you among the right kind of people. This is called "good company" and it is the company of believers.
Fellowship with them as Hebrews 10 verse 25 says, aids in the growth and enhancement of your Christian life.
The sixth, the Church is a place where Christian growth and character are enhanced.
Turn to Ephasians 4 verse 11 to 16,
And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
There are offices put in place in Church, which are meant to enhance your Christian growth and character. These are the offices mentioned in the Scripture we just read.
The saints are brought to maturity through these offices.
The seventh, the Church is a place where you hear the Word required for faith and life.
Hebrews 11 verse 1 says
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
And
Hebrews 11 verse 6 says,
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for He that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
To please God and live the authentic Christian life, you need faith.
It is in the house of God you hear the Word of God that brings you faith. That same Word grows your faith, so you can live your Christian life to the full.
Eight, the Church is a place of training.
The Word of God that you hear in the house of God trains you and brings you to maturity.
2 Timothy 3 verse16
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
You are cultured and disciplined by the Word.
1 Corinthians 14:40 says,
Let all things be done decently and in order.
These are for your effectiveness in service and also for your spiritual growth in God’s house.
Nineth, the Church is the solution to life's questions.
The Wisdom of the Word heard in the Church is to proffer solutions to every question and challenge. When you are equipped with the Wisdom of the Word, you can handle any of life's issues.
Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: 1 Corinthians 2 verse 6
Ten, the Church is a place where you can experience the copoarate anointing.
Psalm 133 says,
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;
As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.
Corporate anointing is the anointing by association. When we associate with each other we do more.
Eleven, the Church is a place of refuge, comfort and refreshing.
Refuge, comfort and refreshing are all received in the Church.
David said
Psalms 122:1
I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.
Psalms 27:4
One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.
This is because, he always got encouragement, comfort and refreshed in the house of God.
You should not find yourself outside Church. It’s your Christian responsibility and part of your normal life as a Christian.
The house of God is where you get Spiritual knowledge required for your everyday life. So do not take going to Church for granted.
Praise God!
Lift up your hands and worship God now!
