Why I go to church

by Rebecca Hinderman

Someone she knows (who who doesn’t attend church) asked Rebecca why she goes to church.

Rebecca wrote this wonderful letter in response to the question. 

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When you asked me, “Why do you go to church?” so many thoughts were racing through my head.  I apologize for the short, incomplete answer I gave you.  I am writing this letter to share fully what it means to be a Christian and why I go to church.

Starting with the word “church.” It’s not just a building or a group; it’s a family of fellow believers in Jesus Christ. We gather to worship and praise our Savior for what he has done for us – not because we have to but because we want to. We learn about Jesus, our need for salvation, sin, the power of the devil, forgiveness, love, the grace of God, and so much more.  All this we find in the Bible, our instruction manual for life.  Christians believe the Bible is God’s word.  Even though there are many authors throughout the Bible, it is the true word of God;  God-breathed, so to speak.

God’s word shows us how we are all sinful from birth.  “Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me” (Psalm 51:5). We are all sinful not just by our actions, but also by our thoughts and words.

Our sinful nature was inherited from Adam and Eve who committed the first sin. Because of sin and our human inability to earn forgiveness, we are all condemned to death and hell.  I know this is a strong, powerful statement.  This truth should rattle us to the core.  But there is a way to be right and sinless before God.  God, through his love and grace, sent his Son Jesus to suffer and die the death we all deserve.  Jesus was our substitute and saved us from our sins. “Look, the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).  We now appear to God as perfect and sinless as Jesus was.

The gift of salvation through Jesus is the gift of God’s great love for us.  This great love--this grace-- goes beyond our human understanding. The love and forgiveness God has given me is why I go to church.  I want to thank him and praise his name for the gift of salvation given through Jesus.  Knowing the truth of his love has moved me to share that truth with you and others.  Attending church services gives me strength and support, a time to rest my soul and focus on what is truly important.

Without this renewed strength and focus, I can become easy prey for the devil.  The Bible says, “Be self-controlled and alert for your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). We are all weak and vulnerable to the devil’s deceitful ways and can get sucked into situations and relationships that are harmful to our souls. Slowly, so subtly, we can be moved away from Christ and the saving gift of grace.  It can be a battle both external and internal.  What weapons do we have to ward off this attack? The answer again is God’s word – the Bible.  God’s Holy Spirit will work in our hearts and minds to strengthen us and create faith as we read the Bible.  Even a little each day, a short chapter, gives the Holy Spirit the opportunity to work its work in us.  Knowing this gives me such peace and comfort as well as the boldness to talk about the truths of God’s word.

The first disciples, by the power of the Holy Spirit, began preaching and teaching the message of salvation through Jesus Christ.  What unshakable faith they had! They endured much suffering and persecution as well as being put to death for their beliefs.  Rejection of the salvation message was as commonplace then as it is today.    

Still, I will speak up and risk your rejection of me and God’s word. Why would I still do this? You are too important.  You are God’s creation.  He desires you as his dear child. I pray through me you will feel his love for you, understand his word and believe in Jesus as your Savior from sin.

All I have said are God’s truths. I am not forcing any expectations on you nor am I putting myself above you. We have all messed up, sinned, knowingly or unknowingly. One person is no better than the next.

I invite you to join me anytime to attend church services and learn more for yourself. We also have a Bible study time. During this time we look at certain sections of Bible or specific topics and read what God says about such things. It’s a time to ask questions and learn in a non-judgmental small setting.

I will continue to pray for you and value your friendship. Thank you for your question and I hope my answers have aroused some curiosity and move you to come and learn about Jesus!

Go and Tell in Love

by Kayli Pesch

            With the recent Supreme Court ruling, allowing same-sex marriage in all states, there is a lot of debate among Christians over how to treat homosexuality. The truth is, simply because the government has decided to allow same-sex marriage, it does not change how God views homosexuality, nor does it change how Christians should react toward it.  It is worth taking some time, then, to examine what God says about homosexuality and how we, as Christians should deal with it. Notice, I am speaking to Christians who believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God. If you do not believe that, you will most likely find many errors in my arguments. Belief in the Bible as the Word of God is a separate argument completely.

I have heard many people, even life-long Christians, question whether or not God condemns homosexuality as a sin. I have heard some  also say  that maybe it was only an Old Testament law that was fulfilled in Christ which no longer needs to be followed , similar to ‘clean eating’(Heb. 8:13) or circumcision (Gal 2:3). Contrary to both thoughts, God does clearly speak about homosexuality as a sin in multiple areas throughout the Old Testament (Lev 18:22, Lev 20:13) and the New Testament (1Cor. 6:9-11, Romans 1:26-28, 1 Tim 1:10). While the Lord points this sin out specifically in many instances, he also points out sins such as drunkenness (Eph. 5:18), hate (1John 3:15), lying (Acts 5:3), and even thinking lustfully about someone other than your spouse (Mat. 5:27-28). In fact, God states that everyone is guilty of sinning (Rom3:10) and that all sins are equal – “for whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it” (James 2:10). Now you may be thinking, “What?! All sins are equal? You mean to tell me that when I copied that worksheet of a classmates in Comm 101 and turned it in as my own because ‘she doesn’t really grade them anyway’, it was as much a sin as being gay?” The answer is: YES!

Since we are all in the same boat as far as sin goes, the real question is, how should we treat the sins of or brothers and sisters? Well, how does God treat us when we sin? This is the most beautiful part about being a Christian:  grace.  “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8). That’s right; God chose to love even me, a wretched sinful being. He did this not because I had done something to earn it, but despite everything I have done against him. What is more is that he not only shows this love to me, he shows this love to all people. We have all learned the ‘gospel in a nutshell’ -- “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16). This means that Jesus not only died to pay for your sins and mine, but for the sins of homosexuals as well. He wants all people to love him and to turn away from their sins (2 Peter 3:9). It is our purpose to go and tell this beautiful message so that everyone can believe and be saved (Mark 16:15).

Often, when we point out the sins of others, we are accused of being judgmental. I have even seen some quote the Bible saying, “There is only one Law-giver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you, who are you to judge your neighbor?” (James 4:12). Yes, we have already established that we are all sinful. If I am sinful too, then what gives me the authority to pass judgment on others for their sins? Really, you should not be passing judgement, but showing others their sinful ways in love so that they can turn from them (Prov. 27:5, Gal. 6:1). God instructs us to “...save others by snatching them out of the fire...” (Jude 1:23). The key is to always approach in love. Ask yourself why you are pointing out others’ sin. Is it for your own gain; to make yourself feel better about your own sins? Or is it truly out of love, so that they might turn from their sins and be forgiven? Always act in love. Let God work in the hearts of sinners.  

As sinners whose only hope is in Christ, we strive to love sinners as God has loved us.

Jesus has built a home for us

Note of upcoming course:

THE8113 Connecting Young Adults to the Church  (1 credit): A study and discussion of issues regarding young adults' involvement in churches and member ministry. ... July 15 - July 26 Online ...  Register via MLC Continuing Education

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The following devotion was written in connection with Devotional Writing course offered through  MLC Continuing Education.

A House Built for Us

by Monica Sletten

      It’s nice to have a house to call our home.   We all live in structures built by someone – houses, apartments, mobile homes.   Every sort of house was built by a carpenter or other types of builders.  After the builders do their job and build a house, people like you and me live in them.  Once the house is finished, people move their stuff into their new home.

      Sometimes when we get new things we are very protective of that “stuff” and the houses in which we keep our stuff.   We can become overly worried about what our houses look like, whether our stuff is as nice as our neighbors’ stuff, and other such concerns about things we have in this world.   It is very easy to get so caught up in who has the most toys, the prettiest clothes, the coolest cars, or who had the best carpenters and builders to build their house.  Not all builders do the same quality of work.  Sometimes they forget a nail, use an imperfect piece of wood, or simply don’t make a very attractive style of house.   

      But you know what?  The style of the houses we live in here on earth and the things that fill our houses are not truly the most important things.  There is a carpenter who has built us a house that is perfect, a home that is flawless. There is nothing wrong with the house he has built, and he promises he has a room in this house waiting for each member of his family.  Does anyone know who this carpenter is that I have in mind?  

      Jesus! 

      Jesus was raised as the son of Joseph, a carpenter.  He likely learned how to build things as part of growing up with Joseph and Mary in Nazareth.  But I’m talking about a different sort of house-building that Jesus has done.  Jesus said, “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am” (John 14:2-3).  Jesus has made rooms ready in heaven for us by the work that he has done for us.  He has built places in the heavenly Father’s house for each of us by his life and death and resurrection.  Through what Jesus did, we have a place with God, a home for eternity.   All our sins are forgiven and we now have a room waiting for us. We don’t have to do anything to earn this place in God’s perfect house.  We simply trust Jesus, who promises he will take us there to be with him.

      This is truly such a blessing that Jesus has given to us – the gift of an eternal home with God!   With that heavenly home in view, we will stop fussing so much about what sorts of houses or garages or other stuff we have here on earth now.  If someone has a house that is more beautiful and bigger than yours, don’t worry about it.  Jesus promises us that he will take us to live with him in his Father’s house, where he has prepared places just for us.  I can’t wait to experience what that house is like!  

Jesus Came to Save All Sinners

by Sarah Allerding

This devotion was written in connection with the

Devotional Writing course offered through  MLC Continuing Education.

Have you ever felt that either you or someone else did not belong in God's house because of a particular sin? I am going to tell you a story about a pastor, a visitor to the church, and a longtime member of the congregation.

A man comes to the church looking for the pastor after Sunday services. He says he needs help because he is struggling with sin. He tells a member he is struggling with losing his temper and saying mean things to people all the time. The member directs him to the pastor's office. After the man leaves, the member walks into the pastor's office to have a conversation with him.

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• Church member:  “I hope you told that man to get out of here.”
• Pastor:  “Why do you hope that?”
• Church member: “He told me he has a sin problem. We don't want that kind of person here. The church is for the established believers. I don't want him to ruin worship for the rest of us. Tell him to come back when his problem is behind him.”
• Pastor:  “We all have a sin problem. If he should not be in church, then none of us should. We all sin daily. Let’s take a look at Romans 3:10. ‘As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one.’”
• Church member:  “But I am not like that man. His sin is worse than mine. He doesn't deserve to come here until he takes care of his problem.”
• Pastor:  “God says ‘the wages of sin is death’(Romans 6:23). You do not deserve to be here any more than that man does. Neither do I. Because of your sins, you deserve death. I deserve death because of my sins. That is what we all deserve. It is only by the grace of God that any of us are here.”

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The Feast in the House of Levi, Paolo Veronese, 1573, Oil on canvas

Jesus had a problem similar to this one when he went to the house of Matthew for dinner. He was eating with tax collectors and “sinners.” 

      When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?” 
      On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners”  (Matthew 9:11-13).

Just like the church member in my story, the Pharisees thought they were better than other sinners. They thought Jesus should not associate with the people they thought were worse sinners than they. Jesus didn't come to earth to make self-satisfied “righteous” people feel good about themselves; he “came to seek and to save what was lost” (Luke 19:10).

Jesus came to save sinners like you and me. He lived the perfect life we could not live, died the terrible death we deserve, and rose victorious over sin, death, and the devil. Because of what Jesus did for us, our sins are washed away. It is only by his grace that we get to worship him when we gather with fellow forgiven sinners. Let us not turn away those who are struggling with sin. They need to hear the Word of God that tells them about their sin and their Savior who took it away.