Why should we go to church?

Lots of people never ask that question. They just go because it is part of their family tradition.

But we should all be intentional about attending church. If we aren’t, we will likely stop going altogether at some point because we have no specific reason to go.

Local churches are essential to the sanctification of their members for several reasons.

First, the local church is vital because we receive sound teaching there.

The Great Commission talks about the Twelve bringing people into the church, where they are baptized and taught (e.g., Matt 28:18-20). Acts 2:42 tells us that the apostles’ doctrine is crucial to church ministry and sanctification. See also Acts 15:35 and 18:11.

Paul said, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase” (1 Cor 3:6).

Christianity is a battle for the mind. Will our worldview be conformed to the world, or will it be transformed by the ongoing renewing of our minds in church (Rom 12:2)?

Second, the local church is crucial to sanctification because there we have examples to follow.

Paul, who spent much time in Corinth, said, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ” (1 Cor 11:1).

He told Timothy, “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Tim 4:12).

Peter told the elders to whom he was writing to “be examples to the flock” (1 Pet 5:1-4).

Third, accountability in the local church is integral to sanctification.

I recently posted a video about Ravi Zacharias on YouTube. It includes videos from John MacArthur, Abner Chow, and Justin Peters. All three point out that Zacharias was not a part of a local church. He traveled all the time. Every Sunday, he spoke in some church. They pointed out that this left him with no one teaching him and with no accountability.

The Scriptures are clear that the leaders of local churches are to hold their members accountable (1 Cor 5:5; 2 Tim 4:2; 1 Tim 5:20; Titus 1:13; 3:10-11).

Fourth, the local church is where we are loved and encouraged.

This is not as evident in large churches. Most people in such churches have no meaningful interaction with the others in the congregation. That is why large churches try hard to get people into small groups. Each small group becomes more like a church, as opposed to a worship service with hundreds or thousands of people.

John told us to love one another, since “love is of God…for God is love” (1 John 4:7-8). The author of Hebrews said, “Let brotherly love continue” (Heb 13:1). Loving our neighbor as ourselves certainly includes those in our local church.

Fifth, in our churches, constant reminders about the Bema enhance our spiritual growth and maturity.

I realize that many churches rarely, if ever, speak about the Judgment Seat of Christ and His soon return. But I’m assuming you’ve found one that does. If you have, then it is not hard for you to watch for His coming (Matt 24:40-44; 1 Thess 5:1-11; 2 Pet 3:10-12).

The Lord’s Supper is a weekly or monthly reminder of Jesus’ death and resurrection and of His coming again to resurrect us (1 Cor 11:17-26; 15:58). The Lord and His apostles told us to live in light of His soon return and the Bema to follow (Matt 24:45-51; Luke 19:16-26; 1 Cor 3:5-15; 2 Cor 5:9-10; Phil 1:6, 10; 2:16; 1 John 2:28).

Sixth, the church is vital to sanctification because it is where people are praying for you.

James told his readers to “pray for one another” (Jas 5:16). Paul said that believers should “pray without ceasing.” As others in our church body lift us up, it helps us greatly. We are not alone. We have prayer support.

Of course, a person can find some of those things without being face to face (F2F). YouTube, Zoom Bible studies, Christian radio and TV, online articles, and so forth can all provide some of the benefits normally found in your local church. But without F2F, the benefits are muted and the danger of falling is greatly heightened.

God intends for us to grow in a face-to-face community.

Hermits are not going to grow as God intended, no matter how spiritual they are.

We need one another.

If you think you don’t need others in the Body of Christ, pray about it and ask God to give you the right attitude. Church is essential to sanctification.

Keep grace in focus!