“That day about three thousand took him at his word, were baptized and were signed up. They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers. Everyone around was in awe—all those wonders and signs done through the apostles! And all the believers lived in a wonderful harmony, holding everything in common. They sold whatever they owned and pooled their resources so that each person’s need was met. They followed a daily discipline of worship in the Temple followed by meals at home, every meal a celebration, exuberant and joyful, as they praised God. People in general liked what they saw. Every day their number grew as God added those who were saved.” (Acts 2: 42-47 The Message Bible)
If you want to read about the virtuous woman, you need to go to Proverbs 31. But if you want to read something that you can forward to persons who were conditioned during the pandemic to revert to the habit of on going to church virtually, and who ask, “Really, why do I have to go to church?”, look at the passage above for an answer.
What brought all this on today? Earlier this week a dedicated young man, serving faithfully in his church, asked, “How do your respond to people who assert that virtual church is okay and argue that physical attendance at a church is not necessary?” Immediately, instinctively, I cited Hebrews 10:23-25. Take a minute and look at the closing verses and you will see why such a response was automatic. These verses will be useful in your conversations with one who has abandoned church gatherings and affirms that being a virtual person when it comes to church does not rob them of anything. However, after further thought, I arrived at the conclusion that my initial response to the young man was not sufficient at all.
You see, after our talk about virtual persons, those who faithfully watch church at home every week, as opposed to gathering at a specific place; after we had concluded our conversation about the habits of virtual persons, I was reminded by the Holy Spirit, about the benefits listed in the passage above in which the writer of Acts reveals more than one reason regarding the benefits of coming to church physically, on Sunday.
From the few verses above we can justify coming to church, in person, when we engage in conversations with people who have found comfort in being a virtual person when it comes to church attendance. Consider the following seven reasons. There are more, but seven reasons should suffice this Saturday morning. Here they are: (1) You become surrounded by others who signed up to be a disciple, a follower of Christ. Being around the right people is always beneficial. The testimonies given by the saints, even in face-to-face conversations reveal much about their travel through life with the Lord, and their talks about how the Lord’s presence gave them victory. The listener comes out encouraged. (2) By attending church, You demonstrate a commitment to hearing the sent word presented, preached and taught, by God’s chosen vessels. You who know me are familiar with this adage, “Every Sunday, God sends a specific message, by a specific messenger, at a specific time, for a specific purpose.” As they say jokingly, but know that I’m not joking when I say it, “I wrote a book about it!” (3) Great things happen in the presence of the saints. The downtrodden- are lifted up and people realize the Lord will do the same for me. The discouraged are encouraged by the amens and the verbal assents that show up in the dynamics between pulpit and pew. (4) While you may not find harmony anywhere else during the week, you can find harmony at the church. Yes, local churches have their issues because they are made up of people who are not perfect, just like you and me, but for the most part there is harmony or at least the obvious development of harmony, as church attendees make perfect progress to interact with Christ being the Lord of their life, That’s wonderful! (5) There is fellowship with other faithful saints in the form of worship where we are in fellowship with God together, and there is fellowship in praying to our Creator who hears and answers the prayers of His people, and, of course there is the social interaction with other believers in the form of what we typically call “fellowship” as we do things together in and immediately after service. You cannot do that as a virtual person. (6) There is joy, and there is open praise rendered to our Lord. (7) The church grows. Let me say that again! “The church grows.”
Tomorrow’s Sunday, the day that the church has met on since the day that the Lord arose early one Sunday morning. I understand that the sick and shut in and some with medical issues will not be able to attend and, in such cases, being a virtual person fits them perfectly. Virtual worship is an asset for them. But for you who are physically able, you should attend in person.
I may sound like a famous comedian, but if you or someone you know is a virtual persons says, “I don’t have a ride,” tell them to call Uber, take a cab, ask someone to pick you up, get up early and walk to the bus stop and catch a bus to the stop near your church, catch a ride with a member who lives in your vicinity, get up early enough to ride with your parents or grandparents, tell your adult child to drive you and stay for service too, or if you live within blocks of the church, put on your walking shoes and walk to church, ride a bike, tell your boy or your girl to take you out…to church!
I love you and I am praying that this meditation helps somebody arise and make it to the house of God on Sundays; not one Sunday, not merely Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, but every Sunday that the saints gather together. Be blessed!
“Let’s hold firmly to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let’s consider how to encourage one another in love and good deeds, not abandoning our own meeting together, as is the habit of some people, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10: 23-25 NASB)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King