Do I Really Need To Go To Church?

It is often debated whether a Christian needs to go to church. The way I most often hear it said, "You don't HAVE to go to church to be a Christian, do you?"
My response to that question is, "Well, not necessarily, BUT..." And I must admit that the answer to that question has a whole bunch of "BUT's".

I recently read this statement from the Barna Research group:
American adults who have not attended a church or faith community in the past year are:
1) less likely to be concerned about the U.S. moral condition.
2) They are much less likely to believe they are making a positive difference in the world as well as less optimistic about the future.
3) They are less likely to believe the Bible is totally accurate in its principles,
4) more likely to believe Satan and the Holy Spirit are symbolic (not real) figures, and
5) more likely to believe Jesus sinned while on earth.
6) They are much more likely to believe the holy literature of other major faiths all teach the same principles, and are
7) less likely to believe a person can ever be under demonic influence. Barna Online 3/3/08

If a person, who believes they are a Christian, does not attend church on a regular basis (at least two or three weeks per month) they have a more difficult time with their Christian walk.

As the Bible teaches in 1 John 1:3-6, "We know that we have come to know him (Jesus) if we obey his commands. The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did."

The Christian who doesn't know the Bible, or simply chooses not to live their lives according to scripture is a bad witness to the rest of the community. I have heard it said that "we are all witness of Jesus Christ. It's just that some Christians are good witnesses, and some are bad witnesses." When we don't "walk as Jesus did" in a close relationship to the Father, it is very easy to be a bad witness, and very difficult to be a good witness.

When we don't regularly attend church we have a tendency to live more like the world than like Jesus. I don't mean that as Christians we should be "holier than thou", but what I do mean is that there should be an obvious difference between the way Christian live and the way the world lives. When I claim to be a Christian, and yet you can't see any difference from my lifestyle and that of those who are not believers, Jesus says there is a real problem with that.

I pray that as you contemplate your belief in Jesus Christ, and as you seek to live your life in this world as a Christian, that you will see the clear NEED of being involved in a local church. There you will be encouraged to be reading your Bible regularly, you will be challenged to live an obedient lifestyle, and if you are a truly devoted follower of Jesus, you will welcome the accountability that you will find in the church.

May the Lord bless you greatly this week as you live for Him, and my your life bring glory to the name of Jesus Christ.

The Desperate State of Marriage and Family

The state of marriage and family in America today has reached a desperate situation. The institution of marriage is under a heavy attack. The divorce rate for new marriages is out of control. The definition of marriage has been wavering under pressure to consider “alternative forms” of marriage. And with the weakening situation of marriage, families and children are suffering.

Basically, marriage, once the cornerstone of American society, is today a bruised and battered institution. With divorce rates near fifty percent and only a small fraction of homes consisting of a man, woman and child(ren) -- younger generations are growing up in what experts call a "culture of divorce."

One view point is that since marriage is in such terrible shambles, why don’t we just redefine what marriage actually is so that it conforms better to the nature of our culture. The other view point is to stand firm on the original definition of marriage as defined by the Bible.

What is the answer to this dilemma? Can we save the institution of marriage? Can we preserve the cornerstone of our culture, the “American Family,” or is it just a thing of the past? What can we do?

Many people in America believe there is a very clear cut answer. And that is to go back to the origins of marriage and family and discover what the Creator intended when he said, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” (Genesis 2:24).

Jesus himself reiterated the point when he said, "But from the beginning of creation, God MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE. "FOR THIS CAUSE A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH” (Mark 10:6-8).

Does the Bible have the answer to the problems we are faced with in American society today? A lot of people feel that the Bible and “religion” are too restrictive and narrow minded. They feel that we need to break away from old fashioned traditions and be free to do as we please. Instead of holding to the old ways of doing things we need to reinvent relationships; man to woman, parent to child, man to man, woman to woman, etc.

As our culture espouses new interpretations for relationships in our world today, I guess I have to ask the age old question, “Well…how’s that working for you?”

The honest answer to that question is, “Not very good!” Yes, the divorce rate is out of control, but what are the alternatives. Cohabitation, living together out of wedlock is on the increase. Does that work better? Are people happier because they live together without any kind of commitment? Many polls have been taken between cohabiting couples and married couples and time and again the married couples are happier in their relationship than the cohabiting couples.

And what about the children? Children of divorce find themselves torn between two families, or worse yet abandoned by one of their parents. The psychological pain they endure has long range repercussions. Children of divorce or cohabiting households have more difficulty in school, they suffer more financially, and are more prone to get involved in vandalism and crime. One researcher stated, “Research has shown consistently that both divorce and unmarried childbearing increase child poverty. In recent years the majority of children who grow up outside of married families have experienced at least one year of dire poverty” (Mark R. Rank and Thomas A. Hirschl, “The Economic Risk of Childhood in America: Estimating the Probability of Poverty Across the Formative Years,” Journal of Marriage and the Family 61:1058-1067, 1999.)

The results of divorce, cohabitation and redefined relationships have a major impact on the culture as a whole. The entire nation suffers economically, spiritually, and morally, because of these circumstances. A new definition for marriage isn’t the solution to this problem. And turning our back on the situation isn’t going to make things better. Many people say, “Just let people do what feels right for them, and it will all eventually work out.” No, that doesn’t seem to be working either.

We (that is mankind) need guidance, direction and help. People of faith believe that returning to the “Manufacturer’s Manual” is the best place to begin to learn, or relearn, how things like marriage and family are supposed to work. God has given us clear instruction in the Bible, not to restrict us, or make us unhappy, but to show how to live this life in a way that helps us to enjoy life to the fullest.

Beginning on Sunday, March 30^th, the Baker City Christian Church is going to begin a series of messages entitled “Desperate Households.” In this series we will be looking at the original “Instruction Booklet” on marriage and how to raise a family. If you are having marital problems, family conflict, or confusion in how to be a good parent, come and see what God’s Word has to say about these topics. You just might find out that the Bible has some very contemporary answers to the problems of the day.

That same week we will also begin a Sunday School class addressing the issues of Family Life. Hopefully in these classes we can begin to dialogue and address the problems, concerns and issues that you are dealing with on a day to day basis.

Marriage and family is in a desperate state of affairs today, it is true, but the answers for resolving these issues can be found if we will just take the time to look for them. Open your Bible today and seek out the answers to a strong marriage and parenting. Go to church this Sunday, and begin discovering the power that is available to guide us all in the direction we need to go in order to be good husbands and wives, mothers and fathers.

Dangerous Worship

Can you imagine that worshiping God would ever be a dangerous endeavor? I mean, isn't worship supposed to be comforting, healing, encouraging, and pleasant?

Recently I have been reading a book entitled "Dangerous Worship", written by a Presbyterian pastor in Berkely, California, Mark Labberton. It is a very challenging look at what we call worship in our churches. I have really appreciated his insight into what we might sometimes refer to "dangerous worship" and what really is dangerous worship.

Of course worship should be comforting, encouraging, and full of hope. But if all we want God to do is meet our needs, and make us comfortable, that truly can become dangerous. Dangerous in the sense that we will be guilty of putting God in a box, our box of convenience, and not allowing Him to meet us as He truly is...GOD!

You see, what Pastor Labberton says is really "Dangerous Worship" is encountering God. When we truly encounter God, at times He will comfort us and give us a real sense of peace in His presence, but at other times He will come in a very uncomfortable way.

When God shows for real, we are changed. We normally like the status quo, and like to feel good about ourselves. But when we encounter God it is a meeting of sinful people coming face to face with a holy God. As it says in Isaiah 6:1, Isaiah says, "I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple." Around the throne flew angels, or seraphim, crying out "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!" And the whole place was shaking and filled with smoke (now you know where we get the phrase 'holy smoke!').

At that moment Isaiah responded, "Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips (foul mouthed), and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!"

Then one of the angels flew to Isaiah and touched his lips with a burning coal to purify his unclean mouth and said, "Your guilt is gone and your sins have been taken away." Then Isaiah heard the very voice of the Lord Almighty say, "Whom shall I send? Who will go for us? And Isaiah responded, "Here I am Lord. Send me!"

Do you see how dangerous it is when we encounter the true God in our worship. First Isaiah felt like his life was over, "I'm undone!" Sin encountering a holy God is terrifying. When we encounter God we immediately see our own sin, and the incredible holiness of God. We are convicted deeply and know something has to change or we're TOAST!

In that moment of confession and humility, God meets us and cleanses us. Here in this passage an angel comes to "burn out" the sin of his life. In the "age of grace" under Jesus Christ, at that moment of confession and humility we come in contact with the blood of Christ, which washes away our sin and makes us righteous, clean, and holy. And we are now changed, desiring to live a holy, pure, and righteous life in the power of the Holy Spirit. We can suddenly no longer tolerate living in sin. Not that we feel better than other, holier than thou, kind of thinking. NO! instead, we humbly seek after a life that is pleasing to God, and want to encourage others to experience the cleansing that we have found in Christ.

Also, God said to Isaiah, "Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?" Isaiah response was immediate, "Me! I'll go in your name. I'll serve you, and live a life that brings glory to your name. I'll point people to you and your glory."

Changed! All of a sudden, when we encounter God in the midst of worship, our whole purpose for living is changed. Not only our character, but our reason for living is changed...FOREVER! We can never go back to our mundane way of life, just living for ourselves and our own pleasure. Instead we are changed into servants of the Almighty God.

You see, true worship, worship of a holy God, can be dangerous. Watch out, or you will be changed! Or maybe I should say, "Go for it! Meet God in worship today, and become all that He has created you to be."

God Bless, and have a great day, week, and year in service to the Lord God Almighty.