Q: Why should I attend church every Sunday?
Suggested Daily Reading: Romans 10:10-17
A: I was talking with a very sincere person. She told me that “church is not her thing.” She believes that she experiences God’s presence more from “being alone with God in nature.” She claims that she learns more by “sitting on a hill overlooking a lake and thinking about God on Sunday” than from sitting in church.
This friend may be sincere, but she is sincerely mistaken. Observing God’s work in nature can teach us that there is a God, and we can see and learn something of His wisdom, greatness, presence and preserving power in this way. But nature will never teach us the core truths of salvation. For example, would observing nature ever teach us of:
Our total sinfulness and depravity?
God’s law and gospel?
The only Savior of sinners, the Lord Jesus Christ?
The Holy Spirit who can work repentance, faith and obedience in our hearts?
The way to love, obey and follow the Lord?
No, to learn these deeper and saving truths we need the Bible, God’s Word. During church worship services, God’s sent servants, His ministers, preach to us as God’s ambassadors from His Word. By the grace of the Holy Spirit, pastors explain the meaning of a part of Scripture and apply its truths to the minds and hearts of those gathered for worship.
God has instructed us to gather together for worship every Sunday; “not forsaking the assembling of yourselves together, as the manner of some is…” (Hebrews 10:25a). God is pleased to bless the preaching of His Word (Isaiah 55:10-11).
If someone wanted to catch fish to eat, would they go to a shallow stream where a few minnows could be found, or to a deep river pool, where there are many large, healthy fish? Do not “fish in the shallow streams” of nature, when you should be “fishing in the deep pools” of God’s Word and the preaching of it.
Do you value your opportunities to attend church worship services? Are you actively praying for a blessing for your pastor, church members and yourself?