WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT GOING TO CHURCH?
I. The Bible shows that a desire to hear and learn God’s Word is a mark of a Christian.
He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God. Jn. 8:47
Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. Jn. 8:31
These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. Acts 17:11
The law of Your mouth is better to me than thousands of coins of gold and silver. Ps. 119:72
For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe. I Thess. 2:13
But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. Ps. 1:2
II. The Bible shows that this desire finds its fulfillment in public worship in church.
I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go into the house of the Lord. Ps. 122:l
(The disciples) were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen Lk. 24:53
(The Christians) continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship in the breaking of bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart. Acts 2:46
(Let us not forsake) 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. Heb. 10:25
Lord, I have loved the habitation of Your house. And the place where Your glory dwells. Ps.26:8
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. Col. 3:16
Then passing through the midst of them He went His way. Then he went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and was teaching them on the Sabbaths. Lk. 4:30-31
So 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 to read. Lk. 4:16
(Jesus said) “I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize Me. Mk. 14:49a
Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving. Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. Ps. 95:2
One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,…to inquire in His temple. Ps. 27:4
My soul longs, yes, even faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. Ps. 84:2a
III. The Bible shows the blessings that come from hearing and learning God’s Word.
Blessed are those who dwell in Your house. Ps. 84:4
REGENERATION – Being born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever. I Pet. 1:23
SALVATION – Receive with meekness the implanted Word, which is able to save your souls. James l:21
(Peter) who will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved. Acts 11:14
SANCTIFICATION – Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. Jn. 17:17
THE HOLY SPIRIT – This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by hearing of faith? Gal. 3:2
FAITH – So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. Rom. 10:17
ETERNAL LIFE – “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.” Jn. 10:27-28
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.” Jn. 5:24
“You search the Scriptures for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. Jn.5:39
TRUTH AND FREEDOM – Then Jesus said…”If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Jn. 8:31-32
MATERIAL GOODS – But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Mt. 6:33
SUMMARY – And that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. II Tim. 3:15-17
IV. The Bible warns those who do not hear preaching and God’s Word.
“He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God. Jn. 8:47
Today, if you will hear His voice: “Do not harden your hearts…For forty years I was grieved with that generation, and said, “It is a people who go astray in their hearts, and they do not know My ways.” So I swore in My wrath, “They shall not enter My rest.” Ps. 95:7-11
“Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord God, “That I will send a famine on the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord.” Amos 8:11
“He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me.” Lk. 10:16
He who despises the Word will be destroyed, but he who fears the commandment will be rewarded. Prov. 13:13
Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you. Hosea 4:6
“Come, for all things are now ready.” But they all with one accord began to make excuses. The first said to him, “I have bought a piece of ground, and I must go and see it. I ask you to have me excused.” And another said, “I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to test them. I ask you to have me excused.” Still another said, “I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.” So that servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant, “Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in here the poor and the maimed and the lame and the blind.” And the servant said, “Master, it is done as you commanded, and still there is room.” Then the master said to the servant, “Go into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. “For I say to you that none of those men who were invited shall taste my supper.” Lk. 14:17-24
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! See! Your house is left to you desolate.” Mt. 23:37-38
Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, saying “If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.” Lk. 19:41-42
Blessed Lord, who has caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning, grant that we may hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and comfort of Your Holy Word we may embrace, and forever holdfast to, the blessed hope of everlasting life, which You have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ in Whose name we pray .Amen.
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Rev. 2:29