Why People Go to Church

Psalms. 122:1-2

INTRODUCTION: Psalm 122 is the first of three songs of ascent written by David (also Psalm 131 and 133). This psalm seems to have been penned by David for the use of the people of Israel, when they came up to Jerusalem to worship at the three solemn feasts – Passover, Pentecost and Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot).

Like David, our hearts should fully anticipate going to God’s house. For New Testament believers, God’s house is the local church (1 Ti.3:15), and the Lord has commanded us to assemble regularly there with other believers (He.10:25). We ought to rejoice when the appointed time comes to go to church.

God founded Jerusalem for a special purpose. The Jerusalem of old, where God’s presence was centered, is a picture of the New Jerusalem, the coming capital of the Lord’s kingdom on earth. There, God will dwell in the midst of His redeemed people throughout eternity (Re.21:1–3).

1. TO WORSHIP GOD.
Worship means: Intercession, confession, meditation, petition, dedication, thanksgiving.
Not to see and be seen.
Not to hear the music. Some would attend if no song sung.
Not to hear the preacher.
Some would make it through to heaven, preacher or no preacher.
Musk and preaching lead us into an attitude of worship.
You go to church because:
You believe in Someone strong, living, serene, and holy.
The man who looks up to God in worship is constantly being remade in the image of God.

2. PEOPLE GO TO CHURCH TO FIND FORGIVENESS.
The Lord’s Prayer.
“Forgive us our trespasses (debts) as we forgive those who trespass against us.”
Sin is the cause of all trouble.
Not environment, heredity, treatment in infancy, etc.
Unkindness, spiritual pride, unforgiving spirit, gossip become sin unless forgiven by God.
We can reach the unity of God.
Which birds express.
Which flowers reveal.
That shining stars manifest.
“Unity of the sons of God greater than these.”

3. MEN GO TO CHURCH TO FIND FELLOWSHIP.
Fellowship with God and Man.
As soon as I enter this church, I feel among friends.
Synagogue of Capernaum different—when Christ was there.

“And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read” (Luke.4:16).

What does your presence contribute to the service.
Christian Fellowship strongest factor in man’s life. Adam needed this fellowship.
This fellowship goes around the world into all lands.

4. MEN GO TO CHURCH TO FIND POWER.
All People do not find power.
All do not believe in Holy Ghost power.
All do not seek for power.
“Ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you.”

CONCLUSION:
We should rejoice for the wonderful blessing of being at church, just as God’s people of old rejoiced to be in Jerusalem. The gathering of God’s people in Jerusalem under the Old Covenant points to the assembling of believers in the church under the New Covenant.

“And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (He.10:24–25).

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