God tells us in the Bible to be part of a church community. The book of Hebrews urges Christians to not neglect meeting together but to encourage and warn one another, especially as Jesus' return draws near. There are also seven practical reasons to be part of a church, such as having opportunities to love and serve others, participate in baptism and communion, and use spiritual gifts to strengthen the community. Ultimately, Christians are called to live in loving community as the body of Christ rather than alone.

1. Why go to church?
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2.  This is a building,
not the church.

3. 7:00 PM  This is a time and place,
not the church.
1024 Linn Ave.

4. Ekklesia:
-literally “called out”
-people called out for assembly
-a really cool sounding word

5.  N.T.E.
New Taser Edition
In scripture:
ekklesia = an assembly of people = the church

6. We do not go to church,
we are called out to be a church.

7. A better question:
Why go to church
be part of a church?

8. 1. What is a church?
2. Why be part of one?

9. Basic definition:
ekklesia = an assembly of Christians

10. 8 good indicators
that it’s a church.

11. 1. It’s a local community of believers.

12. 2. Someone could visit it,
or send it a letter.

13. 3. It meets consistently.

14. 4. You can “one-another” in it.

15. 5. All of its members are allowed to
use their spiritual gifts to build it up.

16. 6. It’s members are diverse, but
unified under Christ as their head.

17. 7. It has leaders within it whose
job is to serve and protect.

18. 8. It incorporates elements of
communion and baptism,
worship, prayer, teaching,
community, and social service.

19. These are just some good indicators,
they aren’t complete or infallible.
God seems to have a lot of grace when it
comes to what is and isn’t a church.

20. Okay, so I have a pretty good idea of
what a church is now, but…
Why should I be
part of ?

21. 1 Really good reason to be part of a
church, and 7 pretty good ones.

22. 1 Really good reason
to be part of a church:
God tells us to in the Bible!

23. Hebrews 10:23-25
-So far Hebrews has been about…the Hebrews.
-About how Jewish customs and beliefs
foreshadowed Christ and were fulfilled by him.
-Hebrews 10: the need for sacrifice is fulfilled and
the new covenant is here because of Jesus.
- The author urges the reader to not let go of the
hope they have because of Christ.

24. Hebrews 10:23-25
“Without wavering, let us hold tightly to the
hope we say we have, for God can be
trusted to keep his promise. Think of ways to
encourage one another to outbursts of love
and good deeds. And let us not neglect our
meeting together, as some people do, but
encourage and warn each other,
especially now that the day of his coming
back again is drawing near.”

25. Hebrews 10:23-25
-The author of Hebrews, urges the reader to not
stop meeting with others, assembling together as a
group, but to “encourage and warn each other”.
- When we don’t meet as a church we miss out on
the possibility of encouragement in the story of
Jesus and warning about the dangers in life.
-Meeting with other Christians helps us from
backsliding.

26. 7 Pretty good reasons
to be part of a church.

27. 1. One way people “see” God in the
world is by Christian love for each other.
“No one has ever seen God. But if we
love each other, God lives in us, and his
love is brought to full expression in us.”
-1 John 4:12

28. 2. Metaphors for the church are collective:
-Body of Christ (1 Cor. 12, Eph. 4)
-Family of God (Eph. 2:19)
-House of God (Eph. 2:20)
-Temple of God (1 Cor. 3:16)
- Flock (1 Pet. 2:25, 5:2-4)
-”You are a chosen people, a royal
priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own
possession” (1 Pet. 2:9)
- Christ’s Bride (Eph. 5:22-32, Rev. 21)
You don’t see Christians talked about as a
group of individuals, but as a community.

29. 3. Jesus made it a habit of meeting with
people at the synagogue.
“When he came to the village of
Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went as
usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath
and stood up to read the Scriptures.”
-Luke 4:16

30. 4. People need community, being part of
a church helps provide that.
“God said, "It is not good for the man to
be alone. I will make a companion who
will help him." -Gen 2:18

31. 5. Where else are you going to “one-
another” other believers, or use your gifts?
“Live in harmony with one another. Don’t be too
proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people.
And don’t think you know it all!”
–Rom. 12:16
“Since you are so eager to have the special
abilities the Spirit gives, seek those that will
strengthen the whole church.”
-1 Cor. 14:12

32. 6. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper can only be
done in a church community.
“ For you were buried with Christ when you were
baptized. And with him you were raised to new life
because you trusted the mighty power of God, who
raised Christ from the dead.” Col. 2:12
“This cup is the new covenant between God and his
people—an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do
this to remember me as often as you drink it.”
– 1 Cor. 11:25
Junior high pastor’s
communion elements.

33. 7. Jesus loves the church, a lot.
“Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because
you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love,
following the example of Christ. He loved us and
offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma
to God.” – Eph. 5:1-2
“…just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life
for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the
cleansing of God’s word. He did this to present her to
himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle
or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and
without fault.” –Eph. 5:25-28

34. There are lots of other good reasons to
be part of a church…
Ultimately we have to come to a place
where in our freedom in Christ we bind
ourselves to others for their benefit, our
building up, and the purpose of God.
God didn’t call us out to live by
ourselves, but in community.

35. The church fails over
and over again…
But God loves her.
Shouldn’t we try to?