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Sunday Sermon Notes, "Why Do I Go To Church" (Part 1)

Part 1 delivered Sunday, October 25, 2009 by Sr. Pastor Harry L. Leid.

Introduction: Some of the reasons why I go to church.

  • I am the pastor and it is required.
  • I like the worship.
  • There are good people there.
  • Sometimes I get something to eat.
  • Because it’s fun and enjoyable.
  • Because I live so close to the church.
  • I really enjoy the presence of God.
  • I love feeling the presence of the Holy Spirit, and His actions.
  • It is a popular thing to do.

I could list a hundred good ones, but do not want to bore you!

  1. What Does The Word of God Say About Attending Church?
    1. Something We Should Experience At Church.
      1. Richard Foster in Celebration of Discipline says, "To worship is to experience reality, to touch life. It is to know, to feel, to experience the resurrected Christ in the midst of a gathered community." It is being invaded by the Shekinah of God. Shekinah means the glory or radiance of God dwelling in the midst of his people. It denotes the immediate presence of God.
      2. Normally a wonderful place to respond to the divine revelation of God is in a church worship time.
        1. You go to a restaurant to eat food.
        2. You go to a movie theater to watch a movie.
        3. You go to a basketball game to see the teams play basketball.
        4. Kay and I go twice a week to the neighborhood sports center swimming pool to swim.
      3. People come to church to worship God through Jesus Christ.
        Individually and in corporate worship with others you open your heart in reverence, love, and adoration towards God.
      4. Worship is (1) hearing God’s Word, (2) praying, (3) singing (4) receiving communion, (5) meditating, (6) using your gifts, (7) bringing gifts to God and the church, and many, many other things.
      5. Worship in the Church.
        1. We are not to forsake the assembling together in the body of Christ to worship.
        2. Psalm 95:6-7, "Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. Today, if you hear his voice,"
        3. Psalm 96:9, “Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him all the earth.
        4. Psalm 29:2, “Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness."
        Look out for Part 2 to be posted the week of November 2nd.