Why Church?
The sermon delivered by Bill Chapman focused on the importance of church and why people come to church. The key points highlighted were:
Fellowship: Church is a place where sharing and unity among its members occur, reflecting the love of God.
Biblical Basis: The importance of church is emphasised in various Scriptures such as Acts 2:41-47, Acts 4:32-34, and 2 Corinthians 8:1-8.
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” Acts 2:41-47 (NIV)
Family in Christ: Church is described as a family that has been brought close to God through the sacrifice of Jesus.
Jesus' Purpose: Jesus died to establish the church, and it is through the church that believers can become children of God.
Completeness through Community: Believers are incomplete without other Christians, and everyone has a role to play within the church community.
“The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 12:12 (NIV)
Experiencing God Together: The fullness of God is experienced when believers come together in unity.
Correcting and Growing in Faith: Church provides accountability and teachability, allowing believers to grow in their faith.
Furthermore, seven reasons were given to explain why church is important:
1. Church is God's plan for the present times.
2. The Word of God instructs believers to be actively involved in the church.
3. Church is a place for learning and spiritual growth through the study of God's Word.
4. Believers can practice and develop their spiritual gifts within the church.
5. Church serves as a place for connection and building relationships with other believers.
6. It acts as a base for carrying out missions and spreading the Gospel.
7. Church is a unique place for discipleship, enabling believers to become disciples who, in turn, make more disciples.
The overall message conveyed in the sermon is that church is not just a gathering; it is a divine institution established by Jesus, essential for personal and communal spiritual growth, fellowship, and fulfilling the mission of spreading God's love and message to the world.
Weekly podcast from Myrtle House Community Church
Speaker: Bill Chapman
Date: Sunday 23rd July 2023
