Why Church? Part 1

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“Oh, I don’t go to church.  I just worship God by going outside in nature.”

I hear that on a regular basis when talking to people about faith.  Perhaps you’ve said it yourself.  After all, as long as you believe in God that’s all that matters, right?

There are many people who lull themselves into a false sense of comfort with such beliefs.   Can nature declare God’s majesty?  Yes, to a degree.  We look at the mountains, the forests, waterfalls, meadows, beautiful sunsets and starry nights and we marvel at the power and wonder of God.

Paul in his letter to the Romans wrote, “For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made.”  Romans 1:20

Yet, for those who say that they only need nature, they are missing the greatest aspect of God’s nature – his love for us in Jesus.

When you look at the mountains, do you they declare Jesus to you?  When you hear the breeze over the meadow does it whisper to you that you are a sinner in need of a savior?  When you look at the trees do you see the wood which was used for a cross upon which he died for us?  When you touch the ground do you touch his blood that was shed for you so that you might be forgiven?  When you see the sunrise, does it declare to you a risen Jesus who sits at the right hand of the Father, who is the King of kings and Lord of lords who will come again to judge the living and the dead?

My guess is that very few people come to understand God’s greatest act of love when being in nature.  That’s why God gave us His word in Scripture.  In Scripture, we find God’s nature revealed.  In it we see that God loves us though we are dead in sin.   In it we find the message of forgiveness and reconciliation, of overflowing grace and mercy.  In it we hear Jesus proclaim that he alone is the resurrection and the life.

This is why, in part, Jesus gave us his church.  We gather together because we go to hear God’s word; we go to hear Jesus; we go to be reminded of God’s love for us through Jesus. We go to be renewed in the forgiveness that only he can give.

Published by Pastor Clayton

Hi, I’m Pastor Clayton Wilfer. I have a passion for sharing the gospel message in a simple, easy to understand manner. As a pastor, my role is all about discipleship. Discipleship is rooted in the gospel and carried out by the whole church body by caring for one another in love and intentionally making disciples. We are to walk alongside one another and build each other up for works of ministry. Finally, I’m firmly committed to biblical and Lutheran doctrine that is shared in love and grace.

3 thoughts on “Why Church? Part 1”

  1. This is so so good Clayton! And it addresses most my social circles of people. They just want to be the church in nature, with an occasional talk about the bible with a friend, or just have a “mental” church service with their own thoughts in Scrupture. All of those things GREAT! But it’s not the same. You are right.
    I ALSO see that the these particular people who want to have their “own church service” in nature/occasional discussion/or personal devotional hour….all believe that they CANNOT LOSE THEIR FAITH. In short. They believe they cannot fall away. And while I believe your name IS written in the Lambs Book of Life…we were also given a free will. That free will gives us the choice to obey or disobey. We have the choice to obey the Ten Commandments. We have the choice to love our neighbor. We HAVE the choice to join our brothers for church gatherings to hear Gods word! So if we disobey…..there are consequences. All these people I know DONT think there are consequences for missing out on this important command! Love this topic Clayton! Thank you for sharing!

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    1. Hi Greta. I’m so glad that this resonnated with you. It’s something that I’ve run into so much the last few months. People want to have a god of their own making rather than acknowledge and be accountable to the one and only God who made them. I plan on doing at least one or two more parts to this series. The topic hass been pressing on me for a while.

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  2. I think we can worship alone, we can beg forgiveness alone and we can attain salvation alone but in order to grow more fully in the love of Christ we need the fellowship and love and encouragement of our brothers and sisters in Christ as members of His church within the discipline of regular attendance and membership of the church of our choice!

    And of course without the planting of churches across the world by our courageous and dedicated missionaries the great commission given to us in the scriptures to spread the gospel and be Ambassadors for Christ scould not be fulfilled to its utmost!

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