2 September 2014 by Kim Yung CM –
On Sundays many people head to church while many others are either sleeping in or occupied with other weekend activities. Since our weekends are limited, should we spend part of it in church? Brother Vincent Leong preached at Puchong Tabernacle Assembly recently on the 17th of August regarding this topic. “We need to focus on God because God is the one who puts us in places so that we can rely on Him” he shared.
Matthew 22:37
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
The days of our lives are structured around the various activities that we do, namely work, eating, family and recreation times. The repetition of any of these activities can become boring if we don’t strive to find meaning in them or something interesting or enjoyable about them. There are numerous people who attend church for the purpose of fulfilling an obligation through some ritual, habit or routine; and because of that, they are reduced to actions without meaning.
Sunday mornings at church are a time to make new friends and renew old ones; to learn about the Bible and share problems as well as to thank God for another week of life. The objective in going to church is to seek to build our relationship with God and others. Going to Church and Church worship is all about encountering God and others that changes who we are.
Not going to church on a Sunday morning because you deserve a sleep-in does not explain why you miss church on Saturday or Sunday night.
It is true that, if you don’t get involved in anything, you will have maximum control of your time and money. However, you will miss friendships and opportunities to be a good influence in the lives of others. Each of us decides where to spend our time and money. Each of us will either invest it in some purpose or waste it on the pleasures of the moment. Jesus said that there is an eternal investment that will not fade, rust or decay when we do good works that show our love for God and others.
Matthew 6:19-20
19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust[a] destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
If one were to do a survey on why people attend Church or don’t for that matter, one would probably receive answers such as this, “I don’t go because it’s boring”, “I do not go because I’m tired”, “I go out of tradition”, “I go out of guilt or habit”, “I go to Church to perform”, “I go to Church to accompany my parent”, or “I go to Church to get to meet a nice girl or guy”. Now those are not necessarily bad reasons to attend Church.
However, we all know that finding the true meaning of why we need to do things such as the true meaning of going to Church will make all the difference in the way we feel about Church; it will even make a difference in your life internally and externally in a positive way.
Great reasons why you should attend Church!
–Worship
23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. (John 4:23)
–Fellowship
42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day,attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. (Acts 2:42-47)
–Discipleship
“We can cultivate spiritual maturity through discipleship. We grow by knowing His word, trusting His wisdom, obeying His command, and developing His character. Spiritual maturity is reached when you start passing the word on to others, increasing the ability to reproduce it” shared Vincent.
–Ministry
21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.[a] You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ (Matthew 25:21)
10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace (1 Peter 4:10)
–Evangelism
“We need to communicate God’s love through “evangelism”, to pass on the good news to somebody. Once you are in heaven you will not be able to communicate the good news to people who haven’t heard of it” shared Vincent.
For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? (Romans 10:10-17)
We are each unique in our own way, our hand print, our intelligence, talents and appearance are all gifts from God. Our path in life, namely who we are, when and where we are born, how long we live, etc., are all determined by God. Hence, is it unreasonable for God to ask for a portion of it to acknowledge Him, His grace and sovereignty over our lives?
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