foundation 6 - your relationship to the local church
What is your relationship to the local church?
What role does your local church play in your Christian life? Through the years, we have observed a person's relationship to a local church often serves as a spiritual thermometer, showing the spiritual health of a believer. In this age of individualism, it is very easy for believers to feel that all they need is a personal relationship with the Lord to mature spiritually. Experience and scripture prove otherwise. Every believer must also be related and committed to a local church.
Hebrews 10:23-25 (NKJV) - Let us hold fast the confession of [our] hope without wavering, for He who promised [is] faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as [is] the manner of some, but exhorting [one another], and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
The following are reasons why you need to be committed to a local church:
If you are not settled in a local church, we encourage you to visit churches in your area until you find one that is a spiritually challenging environment, where you will grow spiritually. Find one where the Word of God is taught in full, without compromise, where you will find genuine love and faith in Christ. The links below will provide more information on finding a local church:
Step #1: What to Look For in a Local Church
Step #2: What God Requires of You in the Local Church
Step #3: How to Find Your Place in the Body of Christ
What role does your local church play in your Christian life? Through the years, we have observed a person's relationship to a local church often serves as a spiritual thermometer, showing the spiritual health of a believer. In this age of individualism, it is very easy for believers to feel that all they need is a personal relationship with the Lord to mature spiritually. Experience and scripture prove otherwise. Every believer must also be related and committed to a local church.
Hebrews 10:23-25 (NKJV) - Let us hold fast the confession of [our] hope without wavering, for He who promised [is] faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as [is] the manner of some, but exhorting [one another], and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
The following are reasons why you need to be committed to a local church:
- The Bible warns against not being committed to a local church: In the verse above we read, "...not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together...". The believers at that time were in danger of drifting away from their faith in Christ. Among other things, they were told of the danger of quitting the local church. Instead of staying away, they were encouraged to get involved and become committed as it would stimulate them to love and to do good deeds. In Proverbs 18:1 we read of the dangers of individualism.
- There is pastoral care in the local church: In Hebrews 13:17 believers were told of another reason for involvement in the local church, namely that godly pastors would care for and look after their spiritual condition, giving an account unto the Lord for their souls.
- Families are strengthened through the local church: Sermons on family relationships, youth ministries, children's ministries, pastoral counseling for troubled families, and worshiping together are some of the ways the local church helps to strengthen the family.
- There is a sense of belonging in the local church: People need love, security, friendship, and help during troubled times. These sources of strength and blessings can all be found in the local church (Romans 12:13, Acts 2:44-47, Acts 4:32, 1 Corinthians 1:9-10). We have found that small groups, especially home cell groups of the church in particular give this sense of belonging.
- You cannot exist separated from the local church: Members of the body of Christ are warned in 1 Corinthians 12:21 against saying to one another "...I have no need of you." God did not intend His church to have this independent or "maverick" spirit. The maverick steer of the Old West was one that roamed the range without anyone's brand. Some people today are afraid to make any commitment to a local church because they have had experiences that have discouraged them in some way, or they want to be "free” thus causing a person to roam from church to church or stay out of fellowship altogether, but this was not what God intended ( 1 Corinthians ch. 12, Romans 15:1-7).
- You receive nurture, protection, and development from the local church: In a church where the Word is preached with conviction, you will receive a steady diet of encouragement, exhortation, and consistent instruction, while being protected from spiritual dangers (Acts 20:28-32).
- There is a corporate anointing on the local church: As believers assemble together for worship, a greater anointing occurs than on an individual worshiping alone. This corporate (group) anointing creates a spiritual strength which breaks oppression and bondage caused by the devil (Matthew 18:20, Acts 2:1-4, Acts 4:13-31, Acts 16:25-34).
- The local church is a missionary base: Finally, the local church provides a base for missionary activity, allowing each member of the body of Christ to have a part in either going or sending those who are called to go, thus fulfilling the Great Commission of Matthew 28:19-20.
If you are not settled in a local church, we encourage you to visit churches in your area until you find one that is a spiritually challenging environment, where you will grow spiritually. Find one where the Word of God is taught in full, without compromise, where you will find genuine love and faith in Christ. The links below will provide more information on finding a local church:
Step #1: What to Look For in a Local Church
Step #2: What God Requires of You in the Local Church
Step #3: How to Find Your Place in the Body of Christ