Why We Should Go To Church | South Plainfield F 1

Guest Notes!

02-08-2026 Sermon Title: “Stronger Together: Why We Gather”— Why We Should Go to Church

Text: Hebrews 10:24–25 KJV
“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.”

NIV

24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

The Purpose of the Church is to proclaim JESUS CHRIST IS LORD

The Purpose of the church is NOT to solve SOCIAL problems even though that can happen if (THE CHURCH BODY WOULD TRUY LOVE GOD AND LOVE PEOPLE)

Today I want to answer a simple but important question:

Why should we go to church?

1. We Go to Church Because God Designed Us for Community

(Genesis 2:18) From the very beginning, God said, “It is not good that man should be alone”

Christianity has never been a solo journey.

Jesus called disciples, not spectators
The early church met together daily (Acts 2:42–47)
Paul described believers as one body with many members (1 Corinthians 12:12) 12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ👉 You can’t be the body of Christ by yourself.

Church is where:

Faith is strengthened
Burdens are shared
Joy is multiplied
Healing begins (Healing, physically, spiritually and mentally)

REMEMBER THIS

Isolation weakens faith. Community strengthens it.

GOD LOVES COMMUNITY Talk about NFH Bible Study

2. We Go to Church to Worship God Together

YES, we can worship God privately, through prayer, reading the word and studying

—but corporate worship is different.

Psalm 133:1 says:
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”

There is something powerful when:

Voices lift together (with worship and music)
Hearts align together
Prayers rise together

Jesus said: (Matthew 18:20)
“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

👉 God meets us in personal devotion—but He manifests His presence uniquely in gathered worship.

3. We Go to Church to Be Fed and to Grow

Romans 10:17 reminds us:
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

Church is a place of:

Teaching
Correction of knowledge (Bible Study)
Accountability
Encouragement
Spiritual formation

Just like the body needs food, the soul needs regular nourishment.

(YOU CAN’T FIND THAT GOING SOLO)

Farmers…A plant pulled from the soil withers
A sheep separated from the flock is vulnerable
A believer disconnected from the church grows weak and opens themselves up for the EMEMY to get a foothold in your life.

👉 Church keeps us rooted, grounded, and growing.

4. We Go to Church to Encourage and Be Encouraged

Hebrews 10:24–25 doesn’t just say “don’t forsake assembling”—it explains why:

“…to provoke unto love and to good works… exhorting one another.”

Some days:

You come strong—to lift someone else
Other days:
- You come tired
- You come hurting
- You come barely holding on

And the church becomes:

Your strength
Your reminder
Your refuge

👉 Someone here needs your presence—and one day, you’ll need theirs.

WHAT ABOUT VISITORS, or people who aren’t members but they come regularly. (If you can make it here, I understand some aren’t physically able… That’s why we call them, visit them, and stay connected.

A former pastor once told me that you can invite anyone to church and they won’t be offended. I can’t promise that, but they will hear the TRUTH IN LOVE.

5. We Go to Church to Serve and Use Our Gifts

1 Peter 4:10 says:
10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms

Church is not a performance to watch… I see the simplicity of OPEN WORSHIP and Fellowshipping without all the HYPE…

—it’s a mission to join.

Your gifts matter:

Your prayers MATTER
Your kindness (Showing up at Mr. Albert’s funeral Friday) MATTERS
Your wisdom MATTERS
Your service MATTERS

When you’re absent, something is missing.

👉 The church just doesn’t function fully without you.

6. We Go to Church as a Witness to the World Jesus said: (John 13:35)
“ By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” The church is a living testimony: OF YOURE FAITH IN JESUS…

That grace is real
That love still exists
That hope is alive

When believers gather faithfully, the world sees Christ in us.

Conclusion

We don’t go to church because it’s a habit. BUT IT IS A GOOD HABIT
We don’t go out of guilt. I HOPE YOU DON’T (IF YOU DO LET’S TALK
We don’t go just because it’s Sunday.

👉 We go because God meets us HERE.
👉 We go because we need one another.
👉 We go because the church needs us.

Church is not a place to be perfect—
It’s a place to be present.

Closing Prayer

Lord, thank You for the gift of Your church.
Forgive us when we treat community lightly or take fellowship for granted.
Draw us back to one another with love, humility, and faith.
Help us not only to attend church, but to be the church.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Reach out to us at 336-338-8037, southplainfieldfriends.org/ click on contact us and we will guide you through the next steps.