Christians don't HAVE to go to church, right?

WRONG!!!

As my pastor would say, "A Christian without a church is like a fish without water. It's still a fish. It's just a dead fish."

If you still are not convinced, here are some reasons why Christians should go to church:

Going to church builds up our Spiritual Strength. The Bible says, "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God" (Romans 10:17, KJV). But how can we hear without a preacher? We can't! We have to go to church. Receiving the preaching and teaching of the Word of God increases our faith and builds up our spiritual strength. Every true believer knows what it's like to have their faith challenged (if you don't, you might be walking with the Devil), so we must realize the importance of being spiritually fed so we can overcome the challenges. However many of us have become spiritually anorexic, having no desire to be fed. Paul writes that we are at war with the Devil and his evil forces. He encourages us to put on the whole armor of God for spiritual protection (Eph. 6:10-18). So it is important that we take every opportunity available to gain strength from God's Word by going to church.

Going to church is a matter of obedience to God's Word. Paul tells us not to forsake assembling together, implying that continued absence can lead to willful sin (Hebrews 10:24-26).

Going to church provides fellowship with other Christians. "But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin" (1 John 1:7).

Going to church allows us to come together to help motivate and encourage one another. "Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin" (James 4:17).

Goin to church is important to the relationship of the Christian brethren. The Bible teaches that a right relationship with God requires a "vertical" and "horizontal" alignment, meaning a vertical fellowship with God and a horizontal fellowship with other believers. It is impossible to love God and refuse to love one another. If you have a problem loving other Christians, you have a problem in your relationship with God. Matthem 6:15 tells us that if we refuse to forgive others, we void God's forgiveness of our own sins. John wrote, "He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him" (1 John 2:9-10).

Going to church is an expression of our Love for God. "And [they] were continually in the temple praising and blessing God" (Luke 24:53). Going to church is a tangible expression of our love and worship toward God. It is where we can gather with other believers to bring God offerings of praise, thanks, and honor.

Going to church brings a special visitation of the Lord's Presence. "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them" (Matt. 18:20). This is a promise of the Lord's presence whenever two or more gather specifically in the name of Jesus. Sure Jesus resides within the hearts of every believer, but He honors a gathering in His name by coming in the "midst," with his power and anointing. In such a gathering, Christ is able to do things in hearts that he may not at other times. The scripture says that God inhabits the praise of His people (Psa. 22:3), and in such an atmosphere the Holy Spirit will often manifest spiritual gifts that minister to the body of Christ.

GO TO CHURCH!!!

True Light Church
7300 S. Maryland Ave
Chicago, IL

Sunday Serices:
7:30am - Early Morning Worship
9:15am - Sunday School
11:00am - Morning Worship