The Church Needs You (and you need the church)

Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching

As a pastor, this is an issue that is of particular importance to me. In recent years, there has been a strong tide of opposition to what we would refer to as the local church. Many have opted for internet chat rooms, message boards, or Christian television as an alternative to regular Christian assembly. While I do not negate the value of such parachurch ministries, they do not supplant the need for regular Christian fellowship and assembly. I realize that much of what happens within the "institutional" church (I really hate that terminology, but it has become such a buzzword I feel that I must use it) has become a big turn-off to many. People are tired of ecclesiastical power struggles and hierarchies, pressure to give more and more money to the "machine" by intimidation, fear tactics, or gimmicks, endless building programs and church fads (I couldn't possibly list everything here in this article, so I just listed enough to show that I do understand the mentality of those "tired of church"). There has also been the problem with the widespread mentality of "doing church" or "going to church" rather than "being" the church. This paradigm has produced what we commonly refer to as "Sunday morning" Christians (as if there were such a thing-Christianity is a 24-7-365 day a year walk). Having said all of that, I do feel it is in order to defend the local church and to make a biblical case for the need of regular Christian assembly.

We find a first reference to the church in the New Testament in Matthew's gospel. After Peter's great confession of faith that Jesus is "the Christ, the son of the living God", Jesus then goes on to say "upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Matthew 16:18). It is important to realize that Christ is building the church-not pastors, not laymen, not programs, not strategies..however clever or dynamic they may be. It would behove all of us who are a part of vocational ministry to realize that we are not building the church. We read in Acts chapter two that "the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved" (Acts 2:47b). The psalmist declares that "Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it" (Psalm 127:1a). This should take a good deal of stress off of the clergy (as well as room for boasting) because all the heavy-lifting is all done by God. If the Lord is indeed building the church (and He is) then that means He is Lord of the church. While it is true that the scripture speaks of the church in a universal sense (as in "the church" or "body of Christ" not a denomination), any honest exposition of scripture will also reveal that God places a great deal of importance on the local assemblies-thus we have numerous epistles to local assemblies-even those in house churches like Philemon in the New Testament (Philemon vs. 2). Let's first look at a common metaphor in scripture dealing with "the body."

I could spend quite a bit of time developing the theme of "family" in scripture, using the various references to the Spirit of adoption, God as a Father, we as His children, heirs, and joint-heirs with Christ (who is the "firstborn among many brethren" according to Romans 8:29). All of these terms indicate a relational model of Christianity. But for the sake of this article, I will deal strictly with the terminology of "the body." There are quite a few references to the church as the "body of Christ" in scripture so I'll just deal with a few (I encourage you to study this on your own when you have time). In First Corinthians, Paul gives a detailed explanation of the function of the body.

I Corinthians 12:12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ

Christ's body is made up of many members. We are all diverse in tastes, appearance, and gifting. Unity does not demand uniformity- as a matter of fact the most beautiful illustrations of unity come when diverse people are united together under the power of the Holy Spirit. Consider the twelve Apostles that Christ chose for His earthly ministry. Could He have chosen a more diverse group? Do you think He was trying to tell us something in His choice of these various men? Volumes have been written about the 12, but I would encourage you to do a case study on them some time and I think you will be surprised and delightfully challenged to see the group that Christ assembled together (impulsive fishermen, despised tax collectors, political zealots).

We need each other! We should also realize that it is really not "our" decision as to where we worship. This is a decision that should be made prayerfully and under the guidance of the Spirit.

I Cor 12:18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

It is God Himself who places people in the body- and He does so as "it hath pleased him." God places people in the local church where it pleases Him. The body of Christ functions properly as each member does it's part. The analogy of the human body is important to realize. Just imagine for a moment that your foot decided to secede from the rest of your body and "do it's own thing" for a while. First of all, the foot would die from lack of blood and oxygen. Secondly, the rest of the body would suffer because it would be trying to accomplish everyday tasks without the use of an important member. Or other parts of the body are forced to compensate by doing things they were never intended to do. Ears are wonderful, but they make lousy fingers. Kneecaps are useful but they don't make great eyes. God has made the body a well-oiled machine if everything is working properly. Any so-called agnostic should be able to see Intelligent Design of a Creator just by observing and studying the miracle called the human body. In Ephesians, Paul further details and expands on the analogy.

Ephesians 4:16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work (NIV)

It takes every ligament to hold the body together. As each part funcions and "does it's work" then the body grows and is built up.. When a member of the body decides he/she is no longer needed or wants to operate independently, growth is stunted (in the natural and the spiritual).

Another reason we need the church is because it is a place of refuge and protection. I know there are some who will disagree but I do ask that you hear me out before you discount what I'm about to say. Consider what Paul says to the Corinthian congregation. Just to give you some background info- there is a man and woman committing an act of sexual immorality and they are totally unrepentant (the KJV says everyone is "puffed up" about the situation instead of ashamed by it). Paul warns that if this situation is not dealt with that "a little leaven will leaven the whole lump." In order to keep from contaminating the whole body, Paul instructs the church to hand him over to Satan's domain. I'll post the scripture just in case you have never read it. :

I Corinthians 5:5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

In telling the church to "deliver" him unto Satan they were basically doing what we would call excommunication from the assembly. In doing this, he is now in the realm of Satan. Paul says that the devil will have access to him and have the ability to destroy his flesh during this time. The ulitmate goal or aim of this punishment is that the man's spirit will be saved. The intent is that the man will experience the chastening of the Lord and see how rotten things are living in the devil's domain (remember the prodigal son, who in the hogpen came to his senses?) and repent and be restored. The implication here is that the devil does not have unlimited access to those in the church! The psalmist describes the one who "dwells in the secret place of the Most High." John also describes a place of protection where the enemy does not have unlimited access to us. (This is not to say that God will not allow the enemy to tempt us and test us from time to time because we know from scripture that the devil will indeed be allowed to bring trials although only with the Father's permission).

I John 5:16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. 5:17 All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death. 5:18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not

Notice the importance of community here. We are probably all familiar with the story of Cain and Abel. Even more famous are Cain's words "am I my brother's keeper?" Well, if you are a Christian, then you do indeed have a responsibility to watch over your brothers and sisters in the Lord. Notice in the above passage the importance of intercession on behalf of sinning brothers. Also see that there is a place of safety for those walking in this type of obedience and interdependance (the wicked one touches him not).

Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted

From time to time, true Christians will find themselves in need of restoration. Without the help of the local church, how is this ever to take place? Those in the community of faith have a responsibility to watch over their brothers and sisters and go to them when they see them fallen. The scripture also says we are to "know them that labor among us" (I Thess 5:12). Again I ask, how is this possible if only through the medium of television or chat rooms (where most people choose to communicate through pen names or anonymous means anyway)? Restoration necessitates that one be intimately acquainted with those in need. The Apostle James tells us that we have a responsibility to turn an erring brother back to the fold.

James 5:19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; 5:20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

Again, without the aid and assistance of the local fellowship, this command becomes almost impossible to obey. However we have an obligation to bring the erring brother back to the fold if at all possible. Christ taught a message about the shepherd who left the 99 in order to find the one sheep who had "wandered" away (Matthew 18:12). Unfortunately sheep (and we Christians are referred to as sheep) are not very bright creatures. Sometimes they do wander from the fold. It is very important that they be brought back into the flock so that the wolves and other predators do not destroy them. This brings me to my last, and probably most important point. Failure to assemble with other believers can lead to apostacy. Let's take a look from the book of Hebrews.

Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 10:27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

Hebrews is a book that speaks of the supremacy of Christ's perfect once-for-all sacrifice. The book makes many references to the Old Testament and shows that Christ is the fulfillment of everything prophesied in the O.T. In addition to the author's theme of the inferiority of Judaism to Christianity, he also warns of the dangers of apostacy. There are several hortatory warnings against apostacy in the book of Hebrews. I listed just one of them above. In the verse I posted above, we see that failure to assemble with other Christians has always been an issue for "some". The devil loves it when Christians are isolated because they are easy prey. Sheep are vulnerable when they are separated from the flock and the loving care of a shepherd. While it is true that ultimately Christ is the Great Shepherd of the sheep- He also uses the local pastor as an undershepherd. We know this is true because it is written:

Hebrews 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

Those who fail to commit and submit to a local assembly are in violation of the New Testament pattern for worship. As I said earlier, there is a strong trend to try and discredit the need for local assembly. Christianity by nature is communal. That doesn't mean that we all have to live together on a compound or under the same roof. In heaven and the millenial kingdom of Christ, there will be no autonomy. We will operate and function as an orderly kingdom of priests unto God. Those who do not wish to assemble with other Christians become candidates for apostacy. I know this isn't popular but it is true nonetheless. In Christ's parable of the sower, He warned that apostacy is indeed possible.

Luke 8:13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away

In light of the fact that it is indeed possible to 'believe for a while" and then afterward fall away- the dangers of neglecting fellowship with other believers is all the more perilous. Notice in Hebrews 10 that the author says not only should we be meeting together regularly but "so much more as we see the Day approaching." As we see the nearness of the coming of the Lord and the fulfillment of bible prophesy-as we see the world getting darker and darker- the need for Christian fellowship and exhortation becomes more necessary than ever before!

Some final thoughts:

I realize that some reading this article are perhaps still reluctant to become active in a local church. As a pastor I will be the first to admit that you can have your feelings deeply hurt "in church." Consider this- Jesus handpicked 12 disciples after an all-night prayer meeting...and one of them was a devil. The church will always be comprised of wheat and tares....yes even the dreaded "hypocrite" (but to be fair....Hell will be full of hypocrites too-would you rather go to church with a few now... or spend eternity with all of them?). Despite the fact that there are some bad apples out there...and yes even some not-so-desirable churches-Jesus still desires for us to be part of a local body of believers. You don't have to meet in a stained-glass cathedral- you can meet in a storefront, a gymnasium, a hotel conference room, or even a house. I am not of the persuasion that there is only one "true" church in any given vicinity. I believe that the Lord uses all the different churches (and yes even the "denominations") to accomplish His purposes in the earth. I often hear this complaint "there just aren't any good churches in my area." While this is difficult for me to believe that there are no churches that teach the Word of God in your neighborhood (especially in the USA)-I would suggest that you find some other like-minded believers that you can have regular meaningful fellowship with. It doesn't have to be a large group (Christ said "where two or three are gathered together in my name"). You can meet with other believers and worship, study the Word of God together, and pray with and for one another. After all, Jesus gave His life for the church- I need the church....you need the church....and the church needs you!

May God direct your steps to a local fellowship that worships Him in spirit and in truth-Amen!

Truth Ablaze