Psalms 122:1 I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.

Why Do People Go To Church?

In David’s gladness there was a desire to go to the House of God. In today’s Churches people are going to for perhaps, the wrong reasons. Some might argue that just having someone go to Church is a good thing but, if the result is bitterness; what did it accomplish? In my ministry I have seen people come to Church out of guilt, to socialize, legacy obligation, being forced (parents with the bus ministry) and even to commit mischief.

Part of the Church should be to become a place that people desire to come to. This “testimony” will assist those who to anticipate the house of God, rather than endure it.

Psalms 122:2 Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem.

3 Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together:

4 Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the LORD.

5 For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David.

6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.

7 Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.

8 For my brethren and companions’ sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee.

9 Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek thy good.

What you learn in Church should change how you look at the world

Those who are saved and desire to be about God’s business, should be able to say that the Church participated; in changing our outlook of the things of the world.

John 4:35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.

When we look at those outside the Church building, what do we see? Does what you hear and experience in Church change how we perceive the things of the world?

Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

1 Corinthians 1:21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

You should come to Church expecting to hear something

Churches today have so lowered the expectation of Church attendance, that they come only out of habit or obligation. Are we excited to be amongst God’s people, in God’s House, hearing the Man of God presenting the Word of God?

Ecclesiastes 5:1 Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.

People that come, just to come; find themselves bringing the mischief of the world into the walls of the very House of God. Just a glance across the crowd at those on social media, playing video games or other activities to “pass the time” till they dismiss; is opposite to being glad to be at the House of God!

How to behave

One teaching lost on today’s Churches is how to behave in God’s House. I am seeing more and more people in their 20’s and 30’s who have never been to a Sunday School class, been to a Church camp or even been in a Church building short of getting married. As a result they have never learned how to behave in God’s house. This creates an atmosphere of disorder and distraction that hinders the presentation of God’s message.

1 Timothy 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

I find it interesting for those who say you shouldn’t have rules or order in the Church, because it would cause people not to come; still go to a library, courthouse or funeral home. Don’t those have an order, a rule or a manner to operate? Interesting we try to lower the standards for the one place that should have the HIGHEST of standards.

Church should not only change our perception of the world, but our perception of ourselves.

1 Peter 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

Should not God’s House have a higher standard… that the world?

Ephesians 5:25b… even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Are you glad you are here?

Psalms 122:1 I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.

Does the Church shape the way that we see the world? Do we have more compassion? Do we desire the things of God beyond the walls of the Church?

9 Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek thy good.

We take the House of God with us…

1 Corinthians 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?