Why Church? Part 4

Author: Pastor Kalen Brown

We’re obsessed with our phones, I have recently read a new study that has found the heaviest smartphone users click, tap or swipe on their phone 5,427 times a day. That’s the top 10 percent of phone users, so one would expect it to be excessive. However, the rest of us still touch the addictive things 2,617 times a day on average. No small number. Now that’s devotion! Probably the most interesting thing in all this was that the people surveyed completely underestimated their phone touching. While they were initially shocked by the numbers, 41 percent said “it probably won’t change the way I use my phone.” How many taps, types, swipes, and clicks take place between you, God, and the Body of Christ? If the number of times you were in contact with God and His church on a regular basis could be tracked, would you be shocked by the result? Would it be because of how often, or, how infrequently you connected?  

The early church was said to be devoted to the different aspects of church life. To be devoted is a strong description of how the people were connected to the cause. To be devoted is to be zealous or ardent in attachment, loyalty, or affection. This kind of commitment today is more rare and replaced by more of a consumerism mentality. This kind of commitment displayed in the book of Acts is our model and describes the importance of how to do church. 

The church is God’s plan and I have been personally impacted in my spiritual health, knowledge, and personal growth. The church has saved my life. I am so grateful God has placed me here. I love my family, my siblings! But I am closer to and have a greater relationship with my spiritual brothers and sisters. They have been faithful to speak into my life encouragement and correction when I needed it. I have been giving a place to grow in the things of God and express myself as I learn to walk a walk worthy of The Lord. I have had many an encounter with the living God and had Him speak to me countless times because of the faithfulness of his people and the atmosphere provided through the church and its ministry dynamic on a weekly basis. I can only pray that my level of devotion grows and I pray you can grow in your commitment as well. 

Loyalty is rewarded when the whole church comes together, services and events, and times of small gatherings like bible studies, accountability groups, and the like. Consistency and regular times of gathering are necessary for the strengthening and spiritual growth of our faith. In the corporate gatherings, we are being fed by the spiritual shepherds as God leads us in a common vision. We are equipped for every good work as we receive preaching, teaching, and the public reading of scripture.

We are strengthened as we come together in worship as we sing and share spiritual songs not only to God but to each other!  Both giving and receiving of ministry is crucial in order to build each other up. We come together for mutual edification with some spiritual gift or encouragement that might be exchanged! When each of us gives faithfully to each other the gifts God provides benefit all and God is glorified.

We understand the importance of prayer and the spiritual warfare that is waged. God promises when two or more are gathered He is in our midst. There is strength in numbers and unity when we pray as one people. So we pray together in agreement and the Lord demonstrates His power. Jesus is building His church and the gates of hell will not prevail against her! Jesus wants to meet your individual needs as well.  What better time to receive personal ministry and to pray for each other’s needs! There is freedom and healing when we confess to one another and receive from one another. What a great reason to assemble! 

The two ordinances that Jesus told us to fulfill are first to water baptize. What a glorious time we get to celebrate what the Lord is doing the in lives of many! This is a significant event in the spiritual journey of people. Jesus secondly commanded us to regularly join together to remember what He did for us! We do this during communion, the sharing of the bread broken for us and the cup of the new covenant. 

Lastly, loyalty to each other is demonstrated through fellowship during our weekend meetings by exchanging a handshake, drinking coffee or sharing a meal together. Those expressions of engagement brings a level of caring, knowing and healing that only the table can do. It is also important to meet during the week inviting each other into the rhythms of our lives for a meal or a gathering time which might include a Bible study. 

So next time you touch your phone, let it be a reminder that God wants us to be like the first church, 

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47