WHY CHURCH?

Series: Back To Church Sunday | Pastor Daniel Norris

Text: Matthew 7:24–27 (ESV)

24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

What you build your life on matters.

“Those who are planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God,” (Ps 92:13)

I will never fully flourish until I am fully planted.

Is the church still relevant?

THREE MYTHS ABOUT CHURCH

MYTH #1: I DON’T NEED CHURCH TO FOLLOW JESUS.

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:24–25 (ESV)

MYTH #2: THE CHURCH IS FULL OF HYPOCRITES.

And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:11 (ESV)

MYTH #3: I CAN DO CHURCH ONLINE.

So Why Church?

TEN REASONS THE CHURCH IS STILL RELEVANT

1. BECAUSE YOU NEED A PLACE TO BELONG

2. BECAUSE YOU NEED TRUTH TO BUILD ON

15 …the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. 1 Timothy 3:15 (ESV)

3. BECAUSE YOU NEED PEOPLE WHO MAKE YOU BETTER

4. BECAUSE YOU NEED A PLACE TO ENCOUNTER GOD

5. BECAUSE YOU NEED A PLACE FOR SPIRITUAL FORMATION

6. BECAUSE YOUR FAMILY NEEDS A SPIRITUAL HOME

7. BECAUSE YOU NEED PURPOSE BIGGER THAN YOURSELF

“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another.” (1 Peter 4:10, ESV)

8. BECAUSE YOU NEED PEOPLE WHO WILL SHOW UP IN THE STORM.

“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” (Romans 12:15, ESV)

9. BECAUSE THE WORLD NEEDS TO SEE WHAT HEAVEN LOOKS LIKE ON EARTH.

10. BECAUSE JESUS IS STILL BUILDING HIS CHURCH.

Jesus said, “I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18, ESV)

“They are planted in the house of the LORD; they flourish in the courts of our God.” (Psalm 92:13, ESV)