Why I Love Going to Church

I am really excited about the first day of the week. As Sunday morning and evening comes by my family gets ready and we go to church. Going to church ought not to be a mere routine or something to fill in time. Going to church ought to be an exciting occasion that we count as a privilege and anticipate the blessing that awaits us. When I say I love going to church, I am not referring to the building (though the church will be in a particular location or building). I am referring to the local gathering of believers – my local church. Why do I love going to church? Though there are many reasons that could be provided, I would like to share three broad reasons that contain many implications as to why I love going to church.

THE CHURCH BELONGS TO CHRIST

I love going to church because the church belongs to the Lord Jesus Christ (Matt. 16:18). He purchased those that compose the Church with His own blood (Acts 20:28) and He is the Head of the Church (Col. 1:19). As the Head of the Church the Lord Jesus Christ alone provides Divine direction and the church ought to never look to any but Christ. Because the church belongs to Christ, every true believer ought to love going to church. We belong to Him, so why would we not be passionate about going to church?

THE CHURCH COLLECTIVELY WORSHIPS CHRIST

As believers we are the “temple of God” (1 Cor. 3:16), which means that we can praise or worship God in any place. No matter where we are we can worship God. This is an amazing privilege. But never underestimate the value of collectively gathering together with other believers and worshiping God in the local church. I love being with other Christians as we sing songs of praise to God. I love being with them as the Word of God is read. I love being with believers during times of prayer and collectively saying “Amen”. I love being with other believers as the Word of God is proclaimed. After all, Heaven will consist of believers “from every tribe and language and people and nation” (Rev. 5:9) worshiping God for eternity. As a Christian, I belong to the Body of Christ. Being a Christian is not all about me, it is about honouring Christ. Christ placed me in the Church and I ought to love the opportunity to worship Him with believers.

THE CHURCH IS A MEANS IN WHICH I CAN GROW IN CHRIST

As a Christian, I desire to grow in Christ. However, I cannot do this by myself. In God’s grace He has granted His people particular means to help us grow in the grace and knowledge of His Son. If I am going to grow in my trust, love and obedience to Christ I must make use of the means He has provided. These are not means found and practiced in isolation, but rather within the church (Heb. 10:24-25). I love the church because of the preaching of God’s Word, the fellowship with other believers, the times of prayer and the celebrating of the Lord’s Table. All these properly used are a means in growing in Christ. This is what defined the early Church,

“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers” (Acts 2:42).

This was not done in isolation, but with the church.

I love going to church. Not because it is something to do or because I think I’m better than anyone else. I love going to church because the church belongs to Christ, the church collectively worships Christ, and because the church is a means in which I can grow in Christ. As a Christian, you are a part of the Church, so love your local church and passionately attend and participate knowing that it is a privilege.