Why Go to Church? |
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Why Go to Church?
“You don’t have to go to church to be a Christian!” True. Nor do you have to breathe to be human. However, we know what happens when we don’t breathe. The Gospel is the message of sins freely forgiven in Christ. This Gospel gives us life. It’s also what we are to find and breathe in when we go to ‘church.’ Below are four ways this Gospel comes to us with its fresh air in the church service. First, in ‘church’ we come in contact with the word of God. If this doesn’t happen in your congregation, then find another. I’m not saying the church service is the only place we come in contact with God’s word. What I am saying is that the church service is the important place for this to happen. Here we listen to the Scriptures. The hymns are often permeated with God’s word. This word is proclaimed to us in the sermon. We hear both law and Gospel; the law to show us our sins and the Gospel word to show us our Savior who freely takes away our sins. We can get the law from many places. It’s even written on our hearts. However, the Gospel is foreign to us. It must come to us from the outside, in a word from God. Thus, ‘church’ is a great place to hear this Gospel. Second, in ‘church’ we come in contact with two visible ways (often called ‘the visible word’) God proclaims his forgiveness for us in Christ. In Baptism we meet the God who puts his name on us – ‘the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit’ – and marks us as his own. In the Lord’s Supper we meet the whole Christ in his body and blood broken and shed for the forgiveness of our sins. Third, in ‘church’ we hear God’s audible word of pardon for our sins. Certainly we can hear this else where. However, many church services begin with a confession of sins. Here we admit before God that we have sinned and need his forgiveness. Then comes absolution. God’s word of pardon through Christ is spoken to us. Finally, in ‘church’ we gather with our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. We share with each other God’s love and forgiveness in the Savior. This is called the ‘mutual conversation and consolation of brethren.’ There is something wonderful and refreshing about being around others who share with each other the Gospel of sins forgiven in Christ. This Gospel is the only word that gives us breath, and thus spiritual life. We live in a world which often suffocates our faith in Christ. In ‘church’ we gather around the fresh air of this Gospel of God’s forgiveness in Christ. The Holy Spirit uses this Gospel to create and sustain our spiritual breathing, thus sustaining our spiritual life. By the way, I’d much rather use the words ‘Worship Service,’ or better yet, ‘Divine Service,’ rather than ‘church’ or ‘church service.’ The ‘Church’ is God’s people. This people come together in the service. Here God serves each with the Gospel which creates and sustains faith. In faith each responds with thanksgiving and a life of service. The Gospel of sins freely and totally forgiven in Christ is the most important air we will ever breathe. Find a Christian congregation where this Gospel word is proclaimed in all of its wonder. Gather regularly with others to breathe in this life-giving word of forgiveness in Christ. You’ve got nothing to lose and a lot of fresh air to inhale. ------------ Rev. Douglas Morton is Director of Theological Publications and Theological Librarian at the Institute of Lutheran Theology. |
