Why is Church Attendance a Big Deal? Pastor Eddie Turner Sunday, June 26, 2016 Luke 4:16-22(NLT)- 16 When he came to the village of Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures. 17 The scroll of Isaiah the prophet was handed to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where this was written: 18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, 19 and that the time of the Lord s favor has come. 20 He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. All eyes in the synagogue looked at him intently. 21 Then he began to speak to them. The Scripture you ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day! 22 Everyone spoke well of him and was amazed by the gracious words that came from his lips. How can this be? they asked. Isn t this Joseph s son? ----- Commitment to faithful church attendance among Christians is at an all time low. ----- Yet over the past two decades- studies are revealing that those Christians who are considered core members; those believers who understand the value and need for a vibrant and healthy local church are increasingly becoming less committed to church attendance. Today we are being told that the average church is finding their core membership who use to attend 4out of 5 Sundays; are now attending 2 out of 5 Sundays and others are attending even less. -- People are clearly busier now than ever-it s a fact we live in a supersonic world. The average school age child is involved in at least two extra activities a week after school hours. -- Families under financial stress are working 6-7 days a week. Others having to work night shifts will say Sunday is their only day to catch
up on rest. -- Some do not attend church regularly because they have been hurt or disillusioned by churches or religious people, so they use that as a reason for their inconsistent church attendance. -- However, today we are discovering that most people just seem to be looking for something better to do on Sunday mornings than go to a church to worship and learn about God and His ways. Golfing, sleeping, sports, the lake, family getaways, a rest day and many other things turn out to be that better option for them than church. 1). If you miss church-you are not going to hell! 2). If you miss church- I am not mad at you! 3). I have no particular person in mind this morning- in other words I am not preaching at you. Four Reasons why Church should be a BIG DEAL in your life -a REALLY BIG DEAL!!! Reasons Why We Should Make a Huge Commitment to Being in Church on a Weekly Basis: I often hear people say things like this; well I don t need to go to church to be a Christian technically that is true, but it is far removed from God s true plan for your life. Matt. 16:15-18(NLT) - 15 Then he asked them, But who do you say I am? 16 Simon Peter answered, You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God. 17 Jesus replied, You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. 18 Now I say to you that you are Peter (which
means rock ), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. The church is God s idea, not man s idea. Notice Jesus said it was his church -so when we forsake attending church, we forsake his plan, his idea. If you want to enjoy God s blessings in life, I suggest following his plan. In fact, Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Thessalonians, and Revelation were specifically written to people who gathered in local churches. The books of Matthew, Mark, Luke John and Peter were written by men who were leaders in the local church at Jerusalem. Jesus was a faithful church attendee: Luke 4:16(NLT) - 16 When he came to the village of Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures. 2). We are basically the composite of the five people we spend the most time with: Heb. 3:12-14(NLT) - Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God. 13 You must warn each other every day, while it is still today, so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God. 14 For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ.
Gal. 5:7-9(NLT) - You were running the race so well. Who has held you back from following the truth? 8 It certainly isn t God, for he is the one who called you to freedom. 9 This false teaching is like a little yeast that spreads through the whole batch of dough! People s poor attitudes, actions, words and spirits can contaminate us! Gal. 5:9(NLT). a little yeast spreads through the whole batch of dough Likewise people s godly attitudes, actions, words and spirits can inspire and encourage us. I need to be in church consistently to be around people, who believe like me, having the same spirit I have and live their life with the same values I embrace! Why We Should Make a Huge Commitment to Being in Church on a Weekly Basis: 2). We are basically the composite of the five people we spend the most time with: 3). I need the voice of truth to counteract all the deception that is crammed into my mind all week. Colossians 2:8(NLT) - Don t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.
The word, capture comes from the word that means to kidnap. Whether we realize it or not- live streaming is being poured in us every day! Music, Media, co-workers, friends, family members, information we read and information we hear is streaming into our minds. By faithfully attending church-you intentionally are deciding to live stream eternal, godly information into your life! 1Tim. 4:1(NLT) - Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. Why We Should Make a Huge Commitment to Being in Church on a Weekly Basis: 2).We are basically the composite of the five people we spend the most time with: 3). I need the voice of truth to counteract all the deception that is crammed into my mind all week. 4). Weekly ministry in the local church, helps build your spiritual muscles: 1Cor. 12:14(NLT) - Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part.
1 Cor. 12:18(NLT) - But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. Eph. 4:16(NLT) - He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.