What Is the Church?Why is Sunday Morning Worship so important anyway? I would rather sleep in, or catch the NFL pregame shows. Church is important. The writer of Hebrews, a book in the New Testament of the Bible, gives us a hint into its importance. “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:24–25, ESV) The motivation for the readers of this letter was persecution. If they were not identified as Christians, then they would be left alone. It was tempting for them to not meet together anymore. The writer (we’re not sure who wrote Hebrews) told them they were not to do this. The reason is obvious from the passage. Together they were to encourage one another to live out their calling as Christians. They were to show God’s love and goodness to the world and together they would encourage one another to this end. The Christian life is meant to be lived out together. It isn’t a Lone Ranger affair. Besides, even he had Tanto. The Church is not a building. It is the people of God who are called out as His assembly and He has called them to live in community with one another and their communities around them. There are deficiencies in my life which I need others to help fill while I help to fill the deficiencies in others. God has designed it that way, which is why Paul uses the body as an apt description of the church.
This may lead to a misconception. Some may think that if they just go to church, then they will be right with God. That is not the case. It is not church attendance which merits you entrance into Heaven. In fact, nothing you do can merit you anything before God. That is why He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, into the world. Jesus died upon the cross in order to appease God’s wrath at sin. God must punish sin, but God also loves the world as John 3:16 states, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (ESV) We cannot save ourselves. Without God we are doomed. But God sent His Son to die in our place that if we will but believe on Him, we will have everlasting life. To believe is to put your total trust in Christ that His death merited life for you; that His death paid for your sins. No amount of doing good or church attendance will save you. That will come after as God works in you to make you more like Christ day by day, year by year. Doing good is an effect of salvation, not its cause.
On a final note, on behalf of Bethel Baptist Church our condolences go out to the Korell family during their time of loss. We are praying for you.
New Opportunities at Bethel
If you could ask God one question, what would it be? A new study at Bethel will be delving into just that topic. We will be studying If You Could Ask God One Question by Paul Williams and Barry Cooper on Sunday nights starting February 13th at 6:00 pm.
Starting on February 16th we will be starting a Bible study for Jr. and Sr. High looking at what makes a Christian tick. We will meet at the pastor’s house at 203 Troth from 7:00-8:30 pm every Wednesday night.
If you need any further information, please feel free to call Luke at 286-3346 or check out our website at http://bethelbaptisthc.com
Luke Wolford
Pastor, Bethel Baptist Church
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