FIVE REASONS PEOPLE GIVE FOR NOT GOING TO CHURCH
Why is it some people climb out of bed every Sunday morning like clockwork and go to church while others just as easily find it their God-given duty to sleep in?
Okay… Some of you say church is boring. I’ll buy that but what about all those other boring things you do? Work can be boring and so can cleaning the house! Life is quite boring actually – church is the spice of life that will give you an “out of this world” experience. Worship can be a marvelous encounter with the Almighty that changes you from the inside out. You will make new friends that actually care and learn about faith and a forever relationship! Church is only boring because you are not tuned in to the One it is about. Church is the gateway to eternity. Earth is the temporary proving ground to gain everything you could ever hope for or imagine… and perfect .... lasting forever. What have you found on earth that will compare? The alternative is a lot worse than boring!
Okay… Some of you say all the church wants is my money. Have you noticed everything costs including your hobbies and interests! The beverages, the boat and the bait you are going to use at lake church this Sunday morning costs too! Not going to church is a bad investment. Stop and think – “If there is a God and I am wrong how much will it cost to stay home”? Every one of us by the grace of God has been given an amount of time, resources and opportunities to invest. He gave you free will to make your choices. Jesus talks about an eternal investment that will not fade or rust or decay – a way to actually store up treasures for yourself in heaven! A way to send it on ahead. Really! By the way, at Community Church we don’t pass the plate so that excuse won’t work here!
Okay… some people say everyone who goes to church is a bunch of hypocrites! I hate to break the bad news but there are hypocrites at the lake, in all the stores, and at your workplace. You may have to stay home and hope you are not a hypocrite to get away from them! You won’t get much of an argument from me on your statement because our church is full of imperfect people – you might fit right in! The unique thing about Christians is they are clean on the inside and as they grow in their faith they become more Christ-like on the outside. When you put your trust in Christ and ask for forgiveness you can be perfectly forgiven. There is a big difference between being perfect and perfectly forgiven. Calling Christians hypocrites is just an excuse. People outside the faith are also not true to what they believe so they are equally hypocrites! Pretenders are in every walk of life. One day you will stand before a God who knows all and will reveal all. To be forgiven is to have your sin account forever deleted!
Okay… Some people say you don’t have to go to church to go to heaven. People just naturally gravitate to whom and what they have the most in common with. For example, if you are a motorcycle enthusiast you probably own a motorcycle, read motorcycle magazines, browse motorcycle shops and websites and hang out with motorcycle buddies and go to motorcycle rallies. The Bible commands believers to hang out with other believers to stay on the right path. Do you believe in the God of Creation and His Son, Jesus Christ? Do you understand this world to be our proving ground before stepping into eternity? If so, why would you not want to be with those of like-mind? You may want to give this issue some serious thought. People usually invest time in the things they care about. God says if you are ashamed of me on earth, I will be ashamed of you on judgment day. You may want to check your heart on this issue. Bible study, prayer and fellowship are absolutely necessary for Christians to maintain solid footing. When you leave out fellowship it is like sitting on two legs of what should be a three-legged stool. You are going to fall!
Okay… Some people say churches just impose a bunch of rules to make you feel guilty.
Do you dislike your country because of all of the stop lights, stop signs, speed limits, laws against murder and robbery, policemen and regulations? No, because that foundation of laws and rules helps maintain order. The biggest reason for the breakdown of the family today is the lack of a moral foundation in people’s lives. Many people who call themselves Christians today do not even know the Ten Commandments much less live by them. Without moral standards, it is easier to do your own thing and not feel guilty about it. The laws we fail to keep make us feel guilty. Your Creator knew you needed this. Guilt is part of your conscience and is truly a gift from God. It is one thing when people make you feel guilty but when the God of the universe speaks even E.F. Hutton should listen.
The biggest reason you need to be in Church is because the God of all creation and His Son, Jesus, created it for you! When Church is not a priority in your life you will pass this sentiment on to your children and grandchildren. If America fails to treasure its God given spiritual roots and pass them on to our children and grandchildren we will have failed on our watch. I beg of you to ask God to rekindle a fire in your soul for Him. Find a church that preaches the Gospel and get involved. Lincoln Community Church is a lively growing family with a lot of imperfect people who are perfectly forgiven! We would love to get to know you! Consider yourself invited! See ya’ Sunday!
Pastor David Scott
Lincoln Community Church
Corner of 4th & South Street