There are many in Wyoming who proudly declare that they do not need a church for worship. They abhor the thought of “organized religion” and say that they can worship God alone while they are out moving livestock, cutting hay, or working cattle through a chute. Indeed, they are a little bit right. After all, we can worship God anywhere and everywhere as individuals or as disorganized groups. But they are a lot wrong and miss the big blessings of church because they do not understand what a church actually is.
A church is not a building or a place. A church is something that Jesus began for all of His disciples (Matt 16:18). A church is commissioned to make disciples of all nations (Matt 28:18-20). A church is a gathering of baptized, spirit-filled believers (Acts 2:41-47). A church is the organization that sends out missionaries under the authority of the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:1-4). A church is the recipient of the New Testament (Gal 1:1-2). A church is the body of Christ (Eph 1:22-23). A church is a body of spiritually gifted believers (Eph 2:11-12). A church is the house of God, the pillar and ground of truth (1 Tim 3:15). A church is God’s flock, led by a pastor (1 Pet 5:2-3). A church is a fellowship of believers in Jesus Christ (1 John 1:3).
So, yeah. I guess they are a little bit right. But in choosing to be a little bit right and on their own, they miss the big blessings of church. They miss the opportunity to make disciples of all nations. They neglect the filling of the Holy Spirit. They do not take part in missions. They are not rightful recipients of the New Testament. They are not part of Christ’s body. They are not spiritually gifted. They are left outside the house of God. They miss being part of God’s flock. And they are not blessed to be part of the fellowship.
By being a part of Christ’s church, you receive the big blessings of the church. And, by the way, if you are part of Christ’s church, you can still worship God while moving livestock, cutting hay, or working cattle through a chute. We’ll see you tomorrow, fellow believers in Jesus Christ, when we gather together for church.
“And on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18