Why Church?

Many people nowadays ask the question, "Why do I need to attend a church?" "Can't I worship God on my own, without going to church?" "Can't I just watch a sermon online? " Is there any difference?

Moses in the battle of Rephidim against the Amalekites, as described in Exodus 17 shows us a great reason why it is important to worship and fellowship together. When Moses would hold his hands up in reverence to God, Israel would start winning, but when he put them down, they would start to lose. The Israelites need Moses to help them be victorious. They were all in this battle together. Now when Moses became tired, Aaron and Hur came alongside him to keep his arms up. How did this battle end? Israel was victorious. Their community, a community where they worshipped the most high God and fellowship together. A community that had been doing life together. Now they find themselves in a battle. Separated they would have lost. The Israel army alone would have been defeated because they needed Moses to hold his arm up showing reverence to God. Moses a mere man could not hold his arms up for days, this is humanly impossible. Aaron and Hur also, humans, needed each other for a break to keep Moses' arms elevated.

In our lifetime, there will be many battles. This is just a part of life. Are we to go to battle alone? No, every battle is won with a team. The Navy, Army, Air Force, and Marines fight as a team. Solo is never ideal. So, why in life would you go through a battle solo? God has never set this as the best standard. He always encourages us to fight as a team with Him in command.

We see this here when Moses tires. There are two people, he is in community with whom come alongside to hold his arms up, so Israel continues to win. This is the teamwork God expects of His people.

Maybe you are the Moses during a battle needing others to hold you up. If you are not doing life with other people in God's family, how will they know you need help? Or maybe God needs you to be an Aaron or a Hur, holding someone up during a battle in their life. How can you hold them up if you've never met them? If you have never taken time to get to know them? If you've lived separately. You can't fulfill the assignments God has for you because you never got involved with God's people. You don't have to go to another country. God has people right here for you to fellowship with. It can be an established church or 2 or more people who gather at a home to worship and fellowship together. A church isn't a building it's the people. Those who will stand in the gap and help you cross the rough waters of life. Those who can turn to you for prayer and help in their time of need. God calls us to be a part of His family. To help and encourage one another.

People say I can worship God and read the Bible at home. This is true, but God created us to live in His family. He asked us to worship with 2 or more people He would be there. He calls us to help, pray, and encourage each other. Going and taking part in a God based church is a great way to complete this assignment from God. Solo is not His way. From the beginning, when He said it is not good for man to be alone. When Jesus came, He showed us how to live in community. To have like-minded people to fellowship with. He did not stay away from people. He brought people in to fellowship, encourage, and stand together when times became rough.

If this was important for Jesus, then I know it is important for me. He is our mentor.

Why go to church? Because it is important to God. God always wants the best for us. Even if we don't understand trust Him.