Not long ago I was asked to help some folks bury their dead loved one. They’re good people, They believe in God. They pray. But they don’t go to church. And they asked me an honest question, “Why should we go to church? Isn’t it enough that we believe that Jesus did for us?” And I answered, “Well, errr, umm, ahh,” which isn’t a good answer to give to an honest question.

     I’m sorry to say I failed to communicate to them what I know; that faith is a community kind of thing.  The Gospel in its fullness only comes in a gathering of people. The reason I failed to communicate is that I couldn’t say WHY that is. But now I can. 

     Sure, you can hear Gospel words at home. You can watch a TV preacher. You can read the Bible. You can know you are forgiven for Jesus’ sake. But that’s not the fullness of the Gospel. You need to know more. You need to know that it’s not just you who has failed. You are part of a world that needs forgiveness. That’s why Jesus taught his disciples to pray, “forgive US our trespasses.” 

     Being forgiven isn’t easy.  Our pride gets in the way. But seeing Tom, Dick and Mary in the same fix you’re in, praying with them and for them, being forgiven together with them, makes it different. That’s something you, and we all, need. 

That’s why you should come to church. 

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