WHERE RIGHTEOUSNESS DWELLS

Heb. 11:16, “But as it is, they desire a better country, a heavenly one.”

2 Peter 3:13, “But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.”

According to a recent news story the White House petition website has been flooded by a series of secession requests from over 20 states.  Thousands of our fellow citizens have expressed a desire for their state to secede from the union.  Frustrated by the direction of things, they see no other alternative.

The longing for a “better place” is a part of our human makeup.  Deep in the recesses of our collective thinking lay “clouded-over” memories of a sinless paradise.  Adam and Eve sinned and that paradise was lost (Gen. 3:1f).

Sin has been our unwelcome guest ever since our forebears made that foolhardy decision to do that which God said no to.  A curse was pronounced and all of history bears testimony to the tragic reality of its fulfillment (Gen. 3:17-19).  There is no place on planet earth that is not infected by sin’s influence.  “The whole creation groans” under the weight of it (Rom. 8:8:22).

Surely there must be some better place, some safer place, some healthy and happy place—“where seldom is heard a discouraging word and the skies are not cloudy all day.”  Our hearts yearn for such a place.  “We (ourselves) groan,” longing for a better existence devoid of troubles and trials and fears (2 Cor. 5:4).

The travel section of the Sunday paper includes stories about great places to visit.  Advertisements for destinations and resorts and beautiful locations promise happier places devoid of trouble.  Experience reminds us that there is, in fact, no paradise on earth.  We have it in our minds that perhaps we could escape to some deserted and trouble-free island.  But no matter where you go, there you are, and wherever you are, sin goes with you.

As it is with this planet so it is with people.  Though “one man sin entered the world, and death spread through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned” (Rom. 5:12).  By God’s influence men and societies have experienced varying degrees of righteousness, but there has never been a man without sin—save One.

Jesus Christ was without sin. Sin had no part in Him.  He was and is perfectly righteous in every respect.  He never thought a sinful thought, never did a sinful deed, and never uttered a sinful word.  He was tempted in all ways as we are yet without sin (Heb. 4:25).  He was a perfect man.  The answer to our longing for a “better place” must start with Him.

The frustrations that we experience in life are all rooted in sin--our sins and the sins of others.  Sin darkens everything on this planet, and man has no solution for it.  Jesus does.  “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Tim. 1:15).  The sinless one was made to be sin--our sin was imputed to Him on the cross--that we might be saved from sin (2 Cor. 5:21).  He works in the life of those who trust in Him to save them to the uttermost (Heb. 7:25).  He forgives, transforms, and delivers them safely home (2 Tim. 4:18).

A foretaste of a place “where righteousness dwells” is the experience of every Spirit-indwelt believer. In Christ, he possesses perfect “positional” righteousness.  By the Spirit we experience His presence and by His power a transforming work goes on.  No perfection can be obtained--this side of heaven—but the Spirit relentlessly and patiently works towards this end.  Growth in Christ only works to fan the flames of desire for release from that which holds us back (2 Cor. 5:4).  The “desire to depart and be with Christ (which is)…very much better” (Phil. 1:23) is rooted in a desire to be released from sin and transformed “into conformity with the body of His glory” (Phil. 3:21).

Heaven is a wonderful place, in part because there will be no sin there.  It is hard for us to imagine such a place--having been bathed in a sin-filled experience from our births.  In many respects the Bible is like a travel brochure.  It reminds us of the short-comings that are a part of our present location (by way of sin), and draws our attention to a place to a place in “which righteousness dwells.”  There is only one who can arrange our travel arrangements (John 14:6).  He not only works to get us there, He Himself is what makes our destination exceedingly attractive.  Righteousness dwells wherever He reigns, wherever the “Sun of Righteousness” shines (Mal. 4:2).

Pastor Jerry

JUDGMENT DAY

2 Peter 2:9, “Then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment.”

A few weeks ago Hurricane Sandy brought massive destruction to the northeast coast of the United States.  Over 100 people died.  Damage estimates exceed $50 billion dollars (damage plus costs due to lost business).  Its fierce winds led to massive power outages and coastline destruction.  Some incredible stories have come out of the storm.  During the storm, in the middle of the night, over 100 homes in Queens, NY burned to the ground.  Amazingly courageous rescue workers were able to evacuate every single person from those homes.

A much greater storm is brewing.  The storm clouds are on the horizon.  No human power will stand in its way or avoid its destructive path.  Most are living their lives unaware of its approach, making no preparations for its landfall.  It will come “as a thief” and lead to widespread and eternal loss of life.  Peter had much to say regarding this pending “storm” in his second epistle:

• God has judged sin before and He will do so again (2 Pet. 2:4-9; 3:7).
• God’s judgment will assuredly come, though there be those who think and behave as if it won’t (2 Pet. 3:3-7).
•  God is patiently delaying His judgment “not wishing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance (2 Pet. 3:9).
• But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief (2 Pet. 3:10).
• The earth and its works will be burned up (2 Pet. 3:10; Cf. 1 John 2:17).
• We, as believers, are to “fix (our) hope completely on the grace to brought to (us) at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 1:13; Cf. Tit. 2:13; 2 Tim. 4:8; Phil. 3:19-10).
• The Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment (2 Pet. 2:9; the church will be “raptured” into His presence before the tribulation; Cf. 1 Thess. 5:9; 2 Thess. 4:13-18).
• We are “looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells” (2 Pet. 3:13).
•  Eagerly anticipating His return, we are to be people characterized “by holy conduct and godliness” (2 Pet. 3:11).
• We are to do our part in making the gospel known to others (2 Pet. 3:9; Cf. 2 Tim. 2:1-4).

Our hope (confident expectation) does not ultimately lie in a better world or improved political environment.  God has not promised us such things, but God has promised other things of infinitely greater value.  2 Thess. 1:8-10 summarizes what will be the ultimate destiny of each and every person.  There are only two possibilities:

1.       Those who “do not know God (who have refused to obey the gospel) will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power” (2 Thess. 1:8-9).

2.       “He will be glorified in His saints (those who have believed) on that day” (2 Thess. 1:10a).  We will marvel (be amazed, filled with wonder, be astonished) at Him (2 Thess. 1:10b).

Most survived Hurricane Sandy, few perished.  In the coming judgment it will be the other way around.  1 John 5:11-12, “And the witness is this, that God has given us, eternal life, and this life is in His Son.  He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.”  Do you have the Son?  Are you born again?    Make no mistake, a Judgment Day is coming!  Have you trusted in Jesus Christ for salvation (Acts 16:31; Romans 10:9; Ephesians 2:8-9)?  If so, are you eagerly anticipating and living for Christ’s return (Phil. 3:20)!

Pastor Jerry

HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN?

2 Peter 1:13, “And I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder.”

This past Sunday we celebrated Veteran’s Day at church.  We had our Veteran’s from all the branches of the Armed Forces come to the front of the church so we could recognize them.  Recognizing our Veteran’s is important lest we forget their sacrifices made in ensuring our freedom. 

There is One who has intervened in our lives to grant to us an even greater freedom.  Peter wrote to those believers that he might “stir (them) up by way of reminder” (2 Peter 1:13).  What did he want to remind them of?  The work of Christ through which they had received “purification from (their) former sins” (2 Pet. 1:8).  Through Christ’s work on the cross the believer has been saved from sin—it’s penalty, it’s power--and one day--it’s very presence.  His work on the cross, through which we’ve been saved, is the One Thing we dare not forget. 

Peter’s concern was that these believers would be“applying all diligence” (2 Pet. 1:5) to their growth in Christ (2 Pet. 1:5-7).  To do otherwise would render one “blind and short-sighted” (2 Pet. 1:9) to the very purpose for which Christ died.  His work on the cross was to save us from sin in every respect.  This salvation, rooted in His cross work, represents an escape from “the corruption that is in the world by lust” in order that we might “become partakers of the divine nature” (2 Pet. 1:4).

It is good to be reminded of what Christ has done for us!  We need to ongoingly think about it, sing about it, and confidently speak to others about it.  We regularly celebrate communion “in remembrance” of Him for this very purpose.  The Apostle Paul admonished Timothy, recognized this tendency we have to forget: “Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead” (2 Tim. 2:8). 

Have you forgotten that day when you first trusted in Jesus?  Have you forgotten how the burden of sin’s guilt was lifted from your soul?  Have you forgotten how that Spirit-imparted joy filled your heart?  These things were but “first-fruits” of the work that God began in you.  Peter wanted to “stir them up by way of reminder” of these things.  These matters are of “first importance” (1 Cor. 15:3-4). An elderly John Newton (that ex-slave trader turned pastor; and writer of the hymn “Amazing Grace”) was quoted as saying “my memory is nearly gone, but these two things I remember: that I am a great sinner and Christ is a Great Savior!”  God tie a yellow ribbon as a “forget-me-not” around my heart lest I fail to remember the One Thing I dare not forget! 

Lest I forget Gethsemane,
Lest I forget Thine agony;
Lest I forget Thy love for me,
Lead me to Calvary.

Pastor Jerry

SOMEBODY CARES

1 Peter 5:7, “He cares for you.”

Life is filled with troubles of various kinds.  Personal sins, past regrets, future fears, and other matters work to steal away our peace and joy.  And sometimes we think—“This is hard, does anybody care?”  It’s good to have someone who cares.  I’m so thankful for a loving wife and family and friends who care about me.  They are a true blessing from God.  But above all else I’m thankful for Jesus.

The fact that He cares for me is an amazing thing in itself.  I am so undeserving.  Yet He “loved Me and delivered Himself up for me” (Galatians 2:20).  He knows all about me—my sin failures, mistakes, inadequacies, immaturity, etc.-- yet He has loved me and loves me still.  His loving concern is beyond measure and my capacity to comprehend (Ephesians 3:19).  He cares.

He knows what I’m going through—He “knows all about my struggles.”  No matter the temptation or trial Jesus is able to sympathize with my weakness.  There is nothing in this life that I will confront that He didn’t triumph over (Hebrews 4:15).  He is intimately aware of the struggles that I am facing.  And able to intervene on my behalf.  He cares. 

Jesus is the best friend any of us will ever have.  He will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).  He stands by us when no one else can or will (2 Timothy 4:16-17).  He is at work in our lives to complete the work that He started in us (Philippians 1:6).  He can even cause my troubles and trials to work together to accomplish His perfect plan for Me (Romans 8:28).  One day by His power he will transform  the body of my humble state into conformity with the body of His glory (Philippians 3:21).  He cares.

1 Peter 5:7 exhorts us to bring our cares to Him.  What an invitation!  We bring our requests, not to a reluctant and overburdened stranger, but to a loving and powerful friend.  He has proven that He cares inasmuch as He died for you and me.  You’ve got some concerns this very day.  He’s extended an open invitation to you.  “Bring them to Me,” He says, “Let me deal with them.  I care!”

Pastor Jerry

PAY ATTENTION TO THE BOOK

Nehemiah 8:3, “And all the people were attentive to the book of the law.”

Spiritual apostasy is always preceded and accompanied by a disinterest and disregard for God’s Word.  This is especially evident in the history of OT Israel.  And nowhere is this more graphically demonstrated than in an episode that took place in King Josiah’s reign.  God’s people somehow lost “the law of the Lord given by Moses” (2 Chronicles 34:14).  That law, through which God promised to impart to His people “life and prosperity” (Deuteronomy 30:15), was somehow misplaced.  It sat displaced and neglected in the temple.  No yearning for it was expressed.  No search for it was undertaken.  The spiritual apostasy into idolatry and disobedience was accompanied by a complete disregard for God’s ordinances.  The law remained lost until Hilkiah the High Priest found it.  He had been instructed to go to the house of the Lord, not to look for the law of the Lord, but to gather some money (Cf. 2 Chronicles 34:14-20).  It was then that he found the book.  He gave it to Shaphan.  Shaphan took it to the King.  “Shaphan the scribe told the king saying, ‘Hilkiah the priest gave me a book.’  And Shaphan read from it in the presence of the king” (2 Chronicles 34:18).  Josiah “heard the words of the law and…tore his clothes.” He commanded his servants to inquire of the Lord “concerning the words of the book” (2 Chronicles 34:21).  Josiah initiated reforms (2 Chronicles 34:22-33), but they ultimately did not stem the tide of the growing apostasy and eventual judgment of God’s people.

Spiritual revival is always accompanied by a sincere love and devotion to God’s Word (Cf. Psalm 19:7a).  Ezra “was a scribe skilled in the law of Moses” (Ezra 7:6).  He was the author of 1^st and 2^nd Chronicles and knew all about the troubles that had led to Israel’s expulsion from the land.  He wrote about the evil kings and the idolatry of the people.  He was well versed in both the cause and consequences of Israel’s spiritual apostasy.  “The hand of the Lord…was upon” Ezra (Ezra 7:6).  He “set his heart to study the law of the Lord, and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel” (Ezra 7:10).  He organized a return of a remnant to Jerusalem and God brought the people safely through that arduous and dangerous journey (Ezra 8:31).  Temple reconstruction occupied the days of God’s remnant in Jerusalem.  It was not until many years later that Ezra was given the opportunity to widely declare that which he himself had devoted his life to.  But then that day came.  Ezra stood on a platform with six men on either side.  All the “men, women, and those who could understand” (Nehemiah 8:3) were gathered there.  Ezra “read from it (the law)…from early morning (dawn) until midday” (Nehemiah 8:3).  The Levites explained the law to the people, “translating to give the sense so that they understood the reading” (Nehemiah 8:7-8).  Most notable in the account is the response of the people.  They “were attentive to the book of the law” (Nehemiah 8:3).  They wept with conviction when they first understood (Nehemiah 8:9).  They later rejoiced because they had been enabled to understand (Nehemiah 8:12).  Ezra taught the leaders (Nehemiah 8:13).  They responded to the law in obedience (Nehemiah 8:14-18).  They devoted themselves to the daily reading of the Word (Nehemiah 9:3).

These two instances speak to an important spiritual reality.  Neglect of God’s Word contributes to spiritual apostasy; devotion to God’s Word accompanies spiritual revival.  We live in the day, foretold of by the Apostle Paul, when “they will not endure sound doctrine” (2 Timothy 4:3).  The text refers not to the condition of the unchurched, to whom sound doctrine is wholly irrelevant, but to the professing church.  In its apostasy a component of the professing church will have no appetite for the sound (healthy) teaching of God’s Word.  The day in which we live is a day of growing spiritual apostasy characterized by increasing spiritual immorality despite its religiosity (2 Timothy 3:1-4 and 3:5).  Paul’s admonition to Timothy, in the midst of such an environment was to “to continue in the things which you have learned” (2 Timothy 3:14; i.e. “the sacred writings”, 2 Timothy 3:15).  In other words—pay attention to the book!

The Apostle Peter wrote to believers who were suffering persecution.  His advice to them has great relevance to every NT believer.  The rise of secularism in our society has borne the ugly fruit of new expressions of immorality and its accompanying downward spiral into the abyss of God’s judgment.  The professing church lacks discernment and readily compromises to maintain its supposed “relevance.”  In these dark days Peter’s exhortation bears great importance: “And so we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your heart” (2 Peter 1:19). 

Pay attention to The Book.  OT Israel didn’t and suffered the consequences.  The returning remnant did and it led to revival.  The professing church of our day isn’t and the consequences are obvious.  You can pay attention to it and as you do it will be to you as a “lamp shining in a dark place” leading you onward in your walk with Christ until the need for a lamp is extinguished in the glorious manifestation of His presence. 

Pay attention to The Book—hear it (Cf. Romans 10:17); read it (Cf. Revelation 1:3); study it (Cf. 2 Timothy 2:15); memorize it (Cf. Psalm 119:11); meditate upon it (Cf. Psalm 1:3); and practice it (Cf. James 1:22).  Let His word richly dwell within you (Cf. Colossians 3:16) that it might do its transforming and equipping work preparing you for His soon return.

Pastor Jerry

"GOD'S GOOD WORK" Philippians 1:6, SOME RELEVANT QUOTES

CHARLES SPURGEON on the nature of God’s saving work: “Every good thing that is in a Christian, not merely begins, but progresses and is consummated by the fostering Grace of God through Jesus Christ.  If my finger were on the golden latch of Paradise and my foot were on its jasper threshold, I should not take the last step so as to enter Heaven unless the Divine Grace which brought me so far should enable me to fully and fairly complete my pilgrimage.  Salvation is God’s work, not man’s!”

F. B. MEYER on God’s ability to finish that which he starts: ““We go into the artist’s studio and find there unfinished pictures covering large canvas, and suggesting great designs, but which have been left, either because the genius was not competent to complete the work, or because paralysis laid the hand low in death; but as we go into God’s great workshop we find nothing that bears the mark of haste or insufficiency of power to finish, and we are sure that the work which His grace has begun, the arm of His strength will complete.”

CHARLES SPURGEON on the relationship of the doctrine of eternity security to the need for diligence of the part of the believer in Christ: “If any of you should be well assured that, in a certain line of business, you would make a vast sum of money, would that confidence lead you to refuse that business, would it lead you to lie in bed all day, or to desert your post altogether?  No, the assurance that you would be diligent and would prosper would make you be diligent…Even so the belief that we shall one day be perfect, never hinders any true believer from diligence, but is the highest possible incentive to make a man struggle with the corruptions of the flesh, and seek to persevere according to God’s promise.”

GEORGE WHITEFIELD on the need to be pliable with respect to what God, the “Master Potter,” is doing in us: “Will you not see reason to pray for yourselves also? Yes, doubtless, for yourselves also. For you, and you only know, how much there is yet lacking in your faith, and how far you are from being partakers in that degree, which you desire to be, of the whole mind that was in Christ Jesus. You know what a body of sin and death you carry about with you, and that you must necessarily expect many turns of God's providence and grace, before you will be wholly delivered form it. But thanks be to God, we are in safe hands. He that has been the author, will also be the finisher of our faith. Yet a little while, and we like him shall say "It is finished;" we shall bow down our heads and give up the ghost. Till then, (for to thee, O Lord, will we now direct our prayer) help us, O Almighty Father, in patience to posses our souls. Behold, we are the clay, and thou art the Potter. Let not the thing formed say to him that formed it, whatever the dispensations of thy future will concerning us may be, “Why dost thou deal with us thus?” Behold, we put ourselves as blanks in Thine hands, deal with us as seemeth good in thy sight, only let every cross, ever affliction, every temptation, be overruled to the stamping of thy blessed image in more lively characters on our hearts; that so passing from glory to glory, by the powerful operations of Thy blessed Spirit, we may be made thereby more and more meet for, and at last be translated to a full, perfect, endless, and uninterrupted enjoyment of glory hereafter, with Thee O Father, Thee O Son, and Thee O blessed Spirit; to whom, three persons but one God, be ascribed, as is most due, all honor, power, might, majesty and dominion, now and to all eternity. Amen and Amen.”

WHY GO TO CHURCH?

I received a mailing the other day, an advertisement, for “invite cards” to be used to invite people “back to God and church.”  The mailing asked this question—in large and bold type—“Why aren’t people going to church?”  It drew attention to an alarming statistic: “Right now, fewer than 20% of people in the United States regularly attend church.”  That’s a startling number, especially considering the fact that ~80% of Americans identify themselves to be “Christian.

Why go to church?  It’s a good question.  Many go out of a sense of obligation.  Parents, friends, or relatives exercise some degree of influence and a person is led to dutifully attend.  That was my situation when I was but an adolescent and my Mom took me and my siblings to the Catholic Church.  I myself had no desire to be there—I would have rather been fishing with my Dad—but I went because she made me.

Some go to church because they believe that going might somehow contribute to their salvation.  They have been led to mistakenly believe that salvation is by being a good person or doing good works.  “Good people go to heaven,” they assume, and going to church is a part of what makes a person a “good person.”  The religious cults operate according to this way of thinking.  But there are many professing Christians who think this way about church attendance as well.  But--as has been said--going to church doesn’t make a person a Christian anymore than going into a garage would make them a car.

In our day many churches have responded to this alarming trend of decreasing church attendance by attempting to make church exciting, cool, and fun.  They cite the need to be culturally relevant.  They cater their music to the lost and endeavor to make church both comfortable and non-demanding.  Christ-less and cross-less “self-help” messages substitute for the teaching of sound doctrine (Cf. 2 Timothy 4:3).  The person and work of Christ are de-emphasized in an attempt to gain a hearing with those who have little interest in such matters (Cf. 1 Corinthians 1:23).  Because so little attention is given to sound doctrine or edification these churches remain anemic and self-serving.  Rebel sinners are content to attend week after week apart from any conviction of sin.

The classic text on the matter of fellowshipping together is Hebrews 10:25 which reminds us to not be “forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some.”  A part of the answer to the question, “Why go to church?” is answered by the context of this verse.  The “assembling together” is for those who have made a “confession of hope” (Hebrews 10:23).  Of what confession is the verse speaking?  The obvious answer is the confession of hope which accompanies one’s faith in Christ as Lord and Savior.  The text is addressed to those who have already trusted in Christ for salvation. 

It has long been said that the church gathers for edification and scatters for evangelism.  This statement represents a Biblical perspective on the ministry of the local church.  The gathering of the believers on Sundays (or any other occasion) is primarily for the purpose of the edification (building up) of the church.  Though the church is commissioned to share the gospel, the primary purpose of the assembling together is not evangelistic.  That’s not to say that it can’t or won’t happen.  It is a good thing when an unsaved person finds his way to the assembly of believers and a great thing if he is saved as a result.  But evangelism happens not as a result of the cultural relevance of the church to the lost, but the God-relevance of the saved (Cf. 1 Corinthians 14:24-25 which speaks of the convicting influence on the unsaved of God’s presence amidst His people).  The church gathers for edification and scatters for evangelism.  The born-again believers who make up a local church constitute a team of missionaries, ambassadors for Christ, sent out to reach that particular community with the gospel.  Every believer in Christ lives amidst a unique group of family members, friends, neighbors, co-workers and/or classmates.  To the extent that the believer is growing and walking with Christ--and his understanding of and ability to share the gospel--he is sovereignly and strategically enabled and equipped to reach people that a church pastor or leaders could never reach.

All that being said--the question remains, “Why go to church?”  The question is not really that difficult to answer.  The worshipping church is appealing to those who have been born-again through faith in Christ--for those who have been loved by Jesus and who love Him in response (1 John 4:19)!  It is His church (Matthew 16:18).  He paid a high price for it and deems it beautiful (Cf. Acts 20:28; Ephesians 5:25-29).  Jesus loves His church—the Spirit-led believer is led to do the same.  The new believer is instinctively driven in love to fellowship with other like-minded believers (Cf. 1 Thessalonians 4:9).  And though it be true that the church is not now perfect (many professing believers excuse their non-attendance by finding fault with the church and/or its members)--the discerning believer sees things from God’s perspective.  He understands that God is at work, by His grace, to work a miraculous transformation in His people (Cf. Ephesians 5:25-27; Philippians 1:6)—which is to the praise of the glory of His grace (Cf. Ephesians 1:6).  The faults and idiosyncrasies of others represent God-given opportunities to learn to love others as Christ loves and thereby grow in Christlikeness.  “Speaking the truth in love we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ” (Ephesians 4:15).  The believer is Spirit-led to serve and use his or her gifts towards this end (Cf. Galatians 5:13; Romans 12:4-8).

Jesus, in His person and work, is to be the attraction in His church!  He was the attraction when you first trusted in Him for salvation (Cf. 2 Corinthians 4:6) and He is to be so today (Cf. 1 Peter 1:8).  He will be the attraction when you depart one day to the heavenlies where you will marvel at Him and praise Him, with all the redeemed, forever and ever (Cf. 2 Thessalonians 1:10; Revelation 5:9-10).  Why go to church?  Because you love Jesus and you want to worship HIM (Cf. Philippians 3:3), hear HIS Word (Cf. Colossians 3:16), love HIS people (Cf. 1 Peter 1:22), and be better equipped to share HIS gospel (Cf. Philippians 1:27, 2:16).  The gospel has the power to save church-avoiding, rebel-sinners and make them to be Christ-adoring, worship-loving saints (Cf. Romans 1:16; Colossians 1:13).  If you, as a believer, are not now driven to maintain regular fellowship with His saints by love for HIM, He has offered a remedy for that too: “But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.  Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first” (Revelation 2:5).  Going to church should not be a “have-to,” but a “want-to,” a “get-to” (Cf. John 14:15; 1 John 5:3).  It is not good enough to go to church simply because it is expected of you, God-pleasing worship of Christ demands more.

Why go to church?  Because you love Jesus!  There are other good reasons, but no other single reason is sufficient to stand on its own.  Spirit-led devotion to Christ will endure, where other motivations falter and fail (Cf. 2 Corinthians 11:3; Ephesians 6:24).  Love for Jesus is the same reason why you should do all that you do (Cf. John 14:15).  It is the right reason to WANT TO GO to church.

Pastor Jerry