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Why Missing Church Hurts Christians and the Church

Does the Bible say we need to attend church? Is church attendance essential to one’s walk with Christ?

Questions About Church

Does the Bible say that we need to attend church? Is it okay for a Christian to not attend church? With so many TV and Internet evangelists, can they replace the local church? Is the local church irrelevant in this modern day and age? Is church membership essential to one’s walk in Christ and to a person‘s salvation?

Neglecting the Assembly

Does the Bible say we need to attend church? Is church attendance essential to one’s walk with Christ? Read what the writer of Hebrews clearly says: “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works” (Heb 10:24) so how can the church ensure we are stirring up one another to love and good works? It is by “not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (Heb 10:24). It would prove very difficult, if not impossible “to stir up one another to love and good works” if we are sitting at home and watching a TV or an Internet preacher. Hebrews 13:7 is an impossible command for the “lone ranger” sitting at home when we’re commanded to “Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.” You cannot imitate someone’s faith you do not see in person.

The church is not a building, but a building is necessary to hold the church.

Church Offices

Paul writes in Ephesians 4:11-12 that “Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.” Again, it’s near impossible to build up the body of Christ if the members are scattered. If you read the entire New Testament, there is not one single lone-ranger Christian. Rather, you will read where the apostles mention the church. The epistles never, ever address single, solitary Christians about their walk in faith, but always congregations. Paul mentions the gifts of the Spirit in I Corinthians chapter 12 and includes a spirit of wisdom, knowledge, service, and so on, but members cannot exercise their gifts apart from the Body.  Pastors and teachers are useless if the Body of Christ doesn’t come together. The church is not a building, but a building is necessary to hold the church.

Safety in the Fold

John 10:11-18 mentions the Parable of the Good Shepherd. During this time, the shepherds would lie down at the gate and kept the sheep inside the pen because outside the sheep pen there were ravenous wolves, so there was protection only inside the sheepfold. And sheep are virtually defenseless. They can’t defend themselves and they’re not very fast, so any sheep outside of the sheepfold were completely helpless and vulnerable. The Apostle Peter tells pastors to “shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight” (1 Pet 5:2a). Some who do not attend church have told me they love God but they can’t be around other Christians or in a church, so they are saying, “God I love You, but I can’t stand to be around your children.” As a father myself, I’d not be very happy with your telling me, “We love you, but can’t stand to be around your children.”

The Body of Christ

Romans 12:4-5 provides clear evidence that the church consists of many members, “For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.” This shows that we belong to one another; literally connected to one another. Scripture reveals that “the body does not consist of one member but of many” (1 Cor 12:14). God Himself chooses the “body” parts for the church and “God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose” (Rom 12:18). I do not have the gift of singing but I’m glad others do in our church.

Missing Members

It would be a strange body that had an arm but no foot, or a body that had a hand but no eye. What a dysfunctional body that would be, and the Body of Christ is hurt when members are missing! No individual member of the Body is effective, alone at home. Unless a member is attached to the Body, it is rendered nearly useless. The eye cannot say that it doesn’t need the hand, nor the foot says I have no need for the ear. This means “you are the body of Christ and individually members of it” (1 Cor 12:27). Jesus Himself is the vine we must abide in. What is not growing is dying. Our Lord said, “If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned” (John 15:6). A hand is a beautiful thing…until you see one lying on the sidewalk! And a hand detached from the body will die and turn gang green.

Church Leadership

Paul also addresses those who are in authority in the church when he writes, “We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves” (I Thess 5:12-13). These leaders include the pastors, the elders, the deacons, and Sunday school teachers, but it is impossible to admonish the church leadership if you are sitting at home on the couch watching a TV evangelist or listening to one on the radio or Internet. God has placed each one of us in the Body of Christ as it pleases Him and not where it pleases us. God did not place these members outside of the Body (the church) nor did He intend for each member to be in single, individual homes because the members cannot function properly detached from one another anymore than a foot detached from the leg can still take steps.

Jesus Builds His Church

Jesus said that He will build His church (Matt. 16:18) and He has. He also said the gates of hell (death) will not prevail against it. Neither will people who say they hate the church or think the church is useless today. Jesus is God and He does not change and His church was built and nothing can stop it. Jesus would not build a church only to have its members scatter everywhere. If you believe that church attendance is optional, then you do not understand scripture. Or you’ve rationalized your forsaking the assembling of the Body of Christ. Jesus will come again someday and take away the church. He has a great feast prepared for the church which is described as a bride.

The Wedding Feast

There will be the great marriage feast of the church to the Lamb of God. He does not marry a single, solitaire member. The whole church is the bride of Christ. He marries the church and then they rejoice at the wedding feast and for all eternity. If you fail to attend a Bible believing church and you are born-again Christian, the Lord may chasten you and correct you since He chastens every one of His children (Heb. 12:6). I pray you already have a Bible believing church where the Word of God is taught, where Christ is the center of worship, and where you can become an active part of the Body of Christ…or that you find one if you don’t have one now. Brothers and sisters let us not be forsaking the assembling of ourselves, as is the manner of some.

Conclusion

The word “turn” is closely related to repentance, which means to turn away from our sins and turn to God, but turning away from sin is not the precise definition. Repentance is “to change one’s mind,” but thankfully, it is God Who changes the mind or heart (2 Cor 5:17). If God does not change the heart, that heart will never turn to God, so we know God grants repentance (2 Tim 2:25), but true repentance will be visible displayed by deeds (Acts 26:20). Have you trusted in the Savior? I plead with you to do so today, while it’s still called “Today” (2 Cor 6:2). Tomorrow may be too late, and then you face God’s eternal judgment (Rev 20:12-15). Something we should never wish for anyone (Rev 21:8).

Here is some related reading for you: How to Find a Bible-Believing Church

Resource – Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), Crossway Bibles. (2007). ESV: Study Bible: English standard version. Wheaton, Ill: Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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COVID News Uncategorized

Rand Paul: Pro-Vaxxers 'Won't Be Happy Until They Get Your Newborn'

Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) warned militant vaccine advocates would get more and more aggressive with their tactics during an appearance on FNC’s “Hannity” on Friday.

The Kentucky Republican lawmaker said children were a target of those efforts.

“You know, these people won’t be happy until they get your newborn,” he said. “I mean, they really want to get your newborn inoculated before they leave the hospital. They’re going to restrict certain things. You know, they’re not going to dispense schooling. But they’re also going to try to get them before they leave the hospital. I think it’s outrageous and ignores the science. It’s all based on this misreading of the science that says we haven’t been vaccinating enough and that we’re under-vaccinated. The truth from the CDC is quite the opposite. Over age 75, 97% of people have voluntarily chosen to be vaccinated. Between ages 64 and 75, 99% of people have been vaccinated.”

“So we are voluntarily accepting this,” Paul added. “Most people at high risk have been vaccinated. This is a disease of the elderly, not of children. And the thing is, is that he’s not obeying science. He’s sort of granting his impulse to authoritarianism. His default position is always, how can I control people? How can I regulate people? But I can tell you — he’s not going to be too happy with the Paul family Christmas. We have 57 for Christmas, no vaccine passport. The only requirement is that you have read and understand the Constitution.”

Follow Jeff Poor on Twitter @jeff_poor

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Current Events News Uncategorized

DeSantis: 'We Can't Just Have People Who Are from Foreign Countries Displacing the Needs of Our Own People'

Friday on FNC’s “Tucker Carlson Tonight,” Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) explained his state’s new policy aimed at preventing the Biden administration from surreptitiously placing illegal immigrants in Florida.

The Sunshine State governor said such measures were justified because they prioritize his own citizens over those here illegally.

“For one, any of these contractors that are facilitating Biden’s illegal policies by bringing people into Florida, oftentimes flying in at two o’clock in the morning with no notice to the State, anyone who is doing that forfeits the ability to have contracts with State and local government in the State of Florida, and they are going to be responsible for providing restitution to the State of Florida for every single person that they bring because when they dump somebody, a lot of costs end up being borne by the State in the future, whether that’s education, healthcare, whether that’s the criminal justice system,” DeSantis said. “Unfortunately, we had somebody brought from Biden that murdered somebody in Jacksonville just a few weeks ago, and so we’re very concerned about doing that, and we want to basically say, this is not the right decision to be making to be facilitating, which is basically an illegal human smuggling operation.”

“We are also saying to some of the institutions in Florida like non-profits, we’re not going to be giving license to folks who are actively helping Biden do this,” he added. “And so, we want people focusing on our own citizens. A lot of people do a lot of great work. We’ve got a lot of people in our state that need help, and we can’t just have people who are from foreign countries displacing the needs of our own people.”

Follow Jeff Poor on Twitter @jeff_poor

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COVID News Uncategorized

Armenia Passes Law Allowing Bosses to Fire Unvaccinated Workers

YEREVAN, Armenia (AP) – Armenia’s parliament approved a law Friday that would allow employers to fire workers who refuse to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 or a negative test result.

Russia’s ex-Soviet neighbour has some of the lowest vaccination rates in the Caucasus region.

The new rule follows an August order by the ministry of health which required Armenian citizens to provide their employers with proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test every two weeks or face a fine.

“If the employee is not providing a vaccination certificate, or a negative COVID-19 test, the employer is given the right to turn the employee away from the workplace, suspend their pay and fire the employee, if they are off for 10 working days because of that,” Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Affairs Ruben Sargsyan said Friday.

The new vaccination requirement will not apply to the country’s president, prime minister, members of parliament or the National Assembly, the ombudsman, judges of the Constitutional Court and a number of other officials, Sargsyan said.

“This exception was established for the reason that these positions are either (institutional), as in the case of parliamentary deputies, or their holders are appointed in accordance with the Constitution,” he said.

Armenia began its mass vaccination campaign in April with authorities planning to inoculate 700,000 of the country’s 2.9 million citizens by the end of the year. However, only 516,989 citizens had been fully vaccinated by Dec. 6.

In Armenia, citizens can choose to get vaccinated with the Sputnik V, AstraZeneca, CoronaVac, Sinopharm, or Moderna jabs.

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COVID News Uncategorized

CO Gov. Polis: COVID 'Emergency Is Over' and We Don't 'Get to Tell People What to Wear'

During an interview with Colorado Public Radio on Thursday released on Friday, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) defended his refusal to reinstitute a state mask mandate by saying that the coronavirus “emergency is over” and state public health officials don’t “get to tell people what to wear.” Polis also argued that because vaccines have been available for a long time, “People who want to be protected are.” And that “If you haven’t been vaccinated, that’s your choice. I respect that. But it’s your fault when you’re in the hospital with COVID.”

Polis said, “Well, you know, our top goal is always to follow the science, and there was a time when there was no vaccine and masks were all we had and we needed to wear them and Colorado stepped up, which was great. The truth is, we now have highly effective vaccines that work far better than masks, I mean, not even close. If you wear a mask, it does decrease your risk of getting COVID, and that’s a good thing to do indoors around others. But if you get COVID and you are still unvaccinated, the case is just as bad as if you were not wearing a mask. So, it’s a different place. Everybody’s had more than enough opportunity to get vaccinated, I think. … At this point, if you haven’t been vaccinated, it’s really your own darn fault.”

He added that he sees the vaccines as “the end of the medical emergency, frankly. People who want to be protected are.”

Polis further stated that having a mask mandate is “the kind of thing that I never — I didn’t hesitate to do in the emergency. The emergency is over. So, you know, public health doesn’t get to tell people what to wear. I mean, that’s just not their job. I think it’s great to wear a mask indoors around others. But when you’re not in an emergency situation — public health would say to always wear a mask. Because it always decreases flu, it always decreases anything. But that’s not something that you require. You don’t tell people what to wear. You don’t tell people to wear a jacket when they go out in winter and force them to. If they get frostbite, it’s their own darn fault. If you haven’t been vaccinated, that’s your choice. I respect that. But it’s your fault when you’re in the hospital with COVID.”

After the interview, Polis’ office put out a statement saying that he was referring to the role of state officials, and he “believes that local leaders can and should put disease reduction protocols in place based off their disease levels and community support for those policies.”

(h/t Mediaite)

Follow Ian Hanchett on Twitter @IanHanchett

Categories
COVID Current Events News Uncategorized

Fears New Austrian Law Could Be Used to Imprison Unvaccinated for Up to a Year

A member of the populist Austrian Freedom Party (FPÖ) has expressed concern that amendments to a law on administrative enforcement could be used to imprison unvaccinated people for as long as a year.

Susanne Fürst of the FPÖ fears that an amendment to the Administrative Enforcement Act could be used to enforce the proposed mandatory coronavirus vaccination policy against the unvaccinated.

The new amendment would raise fines from €726 (£617/$818) to €2,000 (£1,701/$2,255) and would also increase prison time for refuseniks from just four weeks to up to a year in prison.

Those jailed may also be ordered to pay for their own imprisonment under the new amendment, which states: “If detention is carried out by the courts, the associated costs shall be recovered by the courts from the obligated party in accordance with the provisions existing for the recovery of the costs of enforcing judicial penalties.”

While the amendment makes no specific mention of the Wuhan virus or the mandatory vaccine policy, Ms Fürst expressed concern that it would be used on those who do not take the vaccine and said such a policy should be ruled out.

Constitutional Minister Caroline Edtstadler, meanwhile, stated that there was a political consensus on the issue and that while the government desired to persuade people to take the vaccine, the possibility of punishment must exist to preserve the credibility of the legal system.

Despite Ms Fürst’s protest, the motion to amend the Administrative Enforcement Act was passed by all parties except the FPÖ, who voted against it.

Since Austria announced it would be ordering citizens to take coronavirus vaccines last month, there have been varying reports on how much violators would be fined or how long they could be imprisoned, with media reporting penalties of up to €7,200 (£6,136/$8,142) were possible.

A poll released last week revealed that 55 per cent of Austrians support the vaccine mandate policy, while 40 per cent were opposed.

Follow Chris Tomlinson on Twitter at @TomlinsonCJ or email at ctomlinson(at)breitbart.com