Community

I have heard many people tell me they don't need the church.  They study the Bible and/or listen to sermons at home.  However, God does not want us to live isolated.  We were made to live in a community.  It is not up to us to decide how to worship God.  He has given us direction for how He wants to be worshipped, and it involves believers gathering together.  Maybe you have been hurt by the Church or struggle in social situations, but it is not an excuse for disobedience.  The Church is made up of imperfect people who need to be forgiven.  Even if social situations are overwhelming, the Holy Spirit can help us overcome our anxiety.  If it is debilitating, seek professional help to find ways of coping and still gather with other believers.  

The Church is described as a body.  All members of the Church not only have a purpose and ways they can serve others, but our service builds up others and helps them grow in Christ.  We are told in Romans 12:4-6, "For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith."  We all have different gifts that we are to use to strengthen others in the Church.  This life is not easy.  There are difficulties and persecution that Christians face which are made lighter by the help of the Church.  We can encourage one another to continue to be faithful in Christ, even when it is not easy.  Seek out ways that you can serve others and encourage them in their faith.  

The Church is one body, all serving one another.  That means caring for all the needs of others.  While edification and encouragement help fulfill people's spiritual and emotional needs, there may be physical needs that are to be met as well.  In the early church, some Christians faced the confiscating of their property or losing employment.  Other Christians were able to help provide for their needs as we read in Acts 4:32-35, "Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need." These verses do not require us to sell all of our goods, but they do show us practice ways to care for others in our church.  If someone in our church has a need, and we have a way of providing for that need, we should do so.  It not only blesses the recipient of your gift, but it also encourages the Church to continue caring for one another.

Most importantly, the Church guards sound doctrine.  Many a heresy has come from someone teaching themselves in isolation from other believers and the historical teachings of the Church.  We cannot rely on history and tradition alone.  The Reformation shows us that sometimes traditions can take over and wander from the truth of Scripture.  However, that does not mean throwing out all teachings from Church history and starting over from scratch.  Even the apostles started with the teachings of Jesus through the Old Testament.  The elders of the church have been charged with keeping watch over the flock and sound doctrine.  As the writer of Hebrews encourages us in Hebrews 13:17, "Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you." While we should search the Scriptures to be sure what is taught accords with sound doctrine, we are also to submit to the leaders of the Church who are watching over us.  We should encourage one another to study God's word and pursue sound doctrine.

We were made to live with others.  People were not meant to be isolated and alone.  Even those who value time alone should not neglect gathering with other believers and serving the Church.  Be an active part of your church community.  Serve others and allow them to serve you so that everyone may be edified and move closer to Christ.