A remark I often hear is that “The local church is so hypocritical or “I don’t see the need to go to church!” Another, I am the church (a member of the Body of Christ), why do I need to go to a building?
The question has been posed, “Is the local church essential?”
Jesus sees His Church as a family or community of Believer’s dedicated to serving Him! A body or organization called Christians!
People who go to church should do so for the main reasons to serve and learn more about God! Who He is and their purpose according to God! Coupled with reading the Bible and being taught in the church, you can have a satisfied relationship with God and Jesus! The Holy Spirit will reside in you and give guidance and direction for your daily living! In essence, what you should learn in the church, will help you grow in your personal life!
Hypocrisy is in the church but so it is in the world! People are people all over the world! It is good to remember, we all stand equally at the foot of the Cross needing a Savior! Examine ourselves and work on our relationship with God through fellowship with Him!
It is also a commandment by God to gather in a corporate setting. God commanded us in Hebrews 10:25, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” The church building is where Believer’s come to learn how to be in relationship with God! How to get along with people. The church is where we worship together in a corporate location. Receiving prayer from the pastors and elders and from one another. To encourage and comfort one another. To know what is going on in the lives of our brothers and sisters in the Lord so that we can be a blessing and receive blessings. To mourn with each other and rejoice with each other!
In a corporate gathering, people are ministered to and that same flow of God’s anointing produces an atmosphere to receive miracles, healings, deliverances, and breakthroughs! For sure, these can all happen to you in your home, but God ordains the church for multitudes to receive at once!
In the church we should learn about spiritual gifts which are empowerments for building up the church and extending the Kingdom of God. Here, the teachings and flow of the giftings in the Body are taught and the Believer is able to mature spiritually in this area! Ephesians 4:1-16.
In the church we should learn about giving and receiving principles! We are blessed to be a blessing! God wants to bless us in our finances so that we can have the resources to carry out His plan for our lives. Luke 6:38, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” When you give to God, God will give back to you, in greater measure than you have given. The more you give to God, the more you will receive.
Part of His plan for your life, is giving to the local church. Malachi 3:10 says: “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house.”
In all these reasons and more, according to God, we are the most essential! The importance of the church lies in these truths, “We are the ambassadors of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20), and Jesus Christ is the head of the body, (Colossians 1:18), “And He is the head of the body, the church”!
God tells us Amos 3”7, “before He does anything in the earth, He warns us through His servants, the prophets.”
God works through the body of Christ in the earth! The church is the light in the dark world, reaching out in the community to those who don’t know Him, meeting their needs. Demonstrating His love to them! We should be a symbol of Christ and advocating godly standards in the lost world! Not conforming to the world. Matthew 5:14-16, “A city set on a hill.”
Consequently, the local church is absolutely necessary; most emphatically essential; extremely important and commanded by God!!
Matthew 16:18, “upon this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it.” Here, Jesus is stating He is building His church of members and scripture is clear the members are to gather together.
Marguerite Wafula
The Year of the Local Church
Yes and amen!! Love these truths and revelations. 😍🙌