How to Go To Church Part 1

Notes: How to Go to Church Part 1
Greg Laurie
Sunday, February 4, 2018
Acts 2
Music: Harvest Worship Band

http://www.harvest.org/watch-and-listen/webcast/watch/how-to-go-to-church

Jesus shows up at church every time we are here.

The church is everywhere. It’s where God’s people get together.

Just because you are at church, doesn’t mean you are here the way you should be.

Jesus started the church and Jesus loves the church.

The church is the only organization Jesus started.

1 John 3:14 NKJV
[14] We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death.

Not going to church is proof something is wrong with you spiritually.

1 John 2:19 NKJV
[19] They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.

The church is for every Christian and every Christian should go to church.

Church hopping is a bad way to do church.

Church is not just a place to attend, but to participate.

You shouldn’t be a critic of your church, you should be part of its solutions.

Churches will always have problems, because we are in them.

Spiritually maturity can be seen when it stops being about me and starts to become about others.

The church is on earth for three reasons. To bring glory to God, build up one another, and to evangelize the world.

Applying the principles of going to the gym can be used to going to church.

Why are people attending church less?
1. Kids playing on teams.
2. Traveling more often.
3. Online options to watch.

Not being at church means you are missing out!

Think about kids, if you go, your kids most likely will grow up going. 

Strong spiritually leadership will impact your kids, and their kids and through the generations.

Some people say they aren’t into “organized religion”. What is that anyway, just another way of saying I’m a slacker and don’t want to go to church.

Hebrews 10:24-25 NKJV
[24] And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, [25] 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.

Christ is coming back, let’s get together to prepare for His return.

Why do we get to church late. You are missing out. Worship is why we are here. They aren’t here to perform, they are here to lead.

Going through anything in life,  calls for you to be at church. Tragedy, praise, good times and bad times, all reasons to show up to church.

Church is where you go to be together and where you can meet people.

Is there a better place to meet someone than at church.

One of the ways to discover what you are gifted at is to find out what you aren’t good at. Serving gives you a way to discover your talents.

Time study showed:
Heart surgery patients recover better when they are church goers.
Church goers have lower blood pressure.

Acts 2:42-47 NKJV
[42] And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. [43] Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. [44] Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, [45] and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. [46] So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, [47] praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

W.E.L.L.
Worshipping 
Evangelizing 
Learning 
Loving

1. They were a worshipping church.

Acts 2:47 NKJV
[47] praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

Music was given to us to bring honor to the Lord.

We were created to worship.

From Genesis to Revelation we are to worship God. In Heaven we will worship God.

Sometimes praise and worship is a sacrifice.

What’s your version of worship at church? Do you sing with praise or do you stare at your watch.

There is a connection between worship and your witness.

When you live a Godly life, others are watching, many hoping that you fail. Then they can ignore you as a hypocrite.

Paul and Silas...at midnight, they “sang praises to God.

When people see the church in action, it’s a powerful witness. 

Job 1:21 NKJV
[21] And he said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, And naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD."

Crisis comes at us all the time. We are called to magnify God in all those times. Seeing our big God, helps make our problems look a lot smaller.

Psalm 73:16-18 NKJV
[16] When I thought how to understand this, It was too painful for me- [17] Until I went into the sanctuary of God; Then I understood their end. [18] Surely You set them in slippery places; You cast them down to destruction.

Who’s side are you on?