Why do we go to church?

The Reason for Church Fellowship
by Andy Neckar (portion of his sermon)


The real reason you are here today.

You are not here primarily to worship God, although you may think so. This may be why you come to church, but this is not the real reason God commands his Children to assemble together.

In Heb 10:24 we are told to not forsake or cease the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

The verse preceding this Scripture tells us WHY we should " go to church"

Heb 10:25 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
We are to prod, that is to urge and encourage each other to obedience to God. We are to meet primarily FOR OUR GOOD and GROWTH IN FAITH

1 Cor 11:33 Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another.

We are to have fellowship meals together. ALL believers are in the Family of God and we should treat each other as family whether we be "blood" kin or "marriage" KIN or kin "IN CHRIST"

1Thes 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

We are to assemble for the good of each other. We are to comfort each other. This means to encourage one another and give relief to a brother in distress and have compassion on each other. ALL these things can bring comfort to the believer and we should do anything else that can cause comfort to a brother in the Lord and that includes a LONG LIST of comforting things.
We are to edify and that is to teach each other. EACH ONE of God's children has a gift or gifts of the Spirit and we should USE them. YOU know something I don't know, or perhaps YOUR understand of a scripture or of an error in God's house may be more clearer or keener than mine. SPEAK IT

We are to meet TOGETHER to teach and comfort and provoke EACH OTHER. This job does NOT fall on ONE MAN ONLY. Pay attention now. Hear what I say.

I am admonishing you now and this is what scripture tells you to do about this.

1Thes 5:12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
1Thes 5:13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.

You see, I am not butting into your business. I have been called by the Lord to do the Work of the Lord. As the Father sent Jesus Christ, He, Jesus Christ sent me.

I DO expect the personal salvation testimonies from you in a few days like I asked of you last week.

In the letter to the Thessalonians Paul is speaking to the CHURCH, the whole assembly, not to JUST church leaders.

1Thes 5:14-15 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

1 Thes 5: verses 14-15 are some of the thing YOU are to do when you come together.

Trouble is most folks were brought up in a "traditional" church and NOT in a New Testament Church, regardless of the New Testament name on the sign out front. The church is not what you call it, it is the way it is operated that identifies it for what it REALLY is. That is what you are used to and "old habits" that is the "old way" of doing things, and that includes the assembling of yourselves together, is hard to break.