“Why Do We Go to Church?”

Sunday, July 11, 2021

There are many things in life we simply take for granted—things that go without saying.  “Church” has been a cultural assumption for so long that it’s tough for some to see the reasons behind it.  Why do we go to church?

Upon some reflection, most church-goers could provide some kind of answer to that question, but these answers won’t all agree.  Nevertheless, the explanation that would be given most often is straightforward: “God told us to.”  That’s a good answer.  God’s instruction should be all we need to spur us into making this practice our habit.  But while God’s command is clearly the prime cause of our weekly gatherings, it doesn’t tell us the purpose God had in mind for them.

But there is a purpose—in fact, there are many goals and ends that are furthered by our gathering each week:

To Break Bread

On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight. (Acts 20.7)

Luke’s narration here makes it very clear what was the chief purpose of their gathering: “to break bread.”  In this context, it’s obvious he doesn’t just mean they were sharing a meal—this was the Lord’s Supper.

To Stir Up One Another

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)

While reminding his audience that they should make a habit of going to church, the author here slips in another major reason and purpose for doing so: “to stir up one another to love and good works.”  We can’t do that very effectively if we have no fellowship, and we can’t have good fellowship if we never see each other—a lesson everyone learned anew during the lockdowns of 2020.

To Put Something Aside

On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper… (1 Corinthians 16.2)

It’s clear that this  points to a joint treasury of some sort, in order to avoid the hassle and delay of taking up collections later.  The implication is very strong that this was to be done during the course of their regularly scheduled assemblies, and it’s another purpose for having such assemblies.

To Proclaim the Lord’s Death

For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. (1 Corinthians 11.26)

We’ve already determined that sharing the Lord’s Supper is a primary purpose in going to church, but Paul here tells us that it’s about more than just individuals observing the ritual—in addition to the private, inward goal of examining oneself, there’s a collective public aspect to it, in which all can see that we believe Jesus died on the cross to bear the penalty for our sins before the Father.

To Instruct

Nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five words with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue. (1 Corinthians 14.19)

While discussing the merits of supernatural spiritual gifts like speaking in tongues and prophesying, which were prevalent at that time, Paul shows these early Christians that the more showy gifts weren’t as valuable as the ones that could be directly used for teaching.  Another purpose of gathering as a church is “to instruct,” and of course from the other side, to be instructed.

To Convict

But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all… (1 Corinthians 14.24)

This goes along with instruction, but is more confrontational.  All people, and especially those who are not Christians, need God’s word spoken in church to make them aware of their transgressions and obligations.  This is one more reason to assemble.

To Build Up

What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. (1 Corinthians 14.26)

All of the activities in which the church engages while assembled are to pursue this goal: the edification of the whole church, and each individual present.

This has not been a complete list.  There are other goals and purposes within and beside the ones mentioned above; but one more ought to be included:

To Worship

…the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you. (1 Corinthians 14.25)

This one seems obvious, and seems to go without saying, but it’s alarmingly easy to forget.  All of the other purposes, including the several we found just in this section of 1 Corinthians 14, lead to this one.  It’s all about glorifying God and worshiping him in his presence.  We tend to make everything about ourselves, but that’s not how “church” was designed!  Just as the cause of our weekly assemblies was God, he is also the ultimate purpose.  Remember why God wants you to go to church.

Jeremy Nettles

Share