Home Church or Church Building?

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Led by Eric Gintert

The following question and answers was printed in our local newspaper on October 1, 2011.

People at churches I’ve attended are hypocrites, so am I wrong to worship at home?

The Rev. Justin Hoye, pastor at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Kansas City: Wrong? No. Missing out? Yes. In each of the Synoptic Gospels (Mk 2:17; Mt 9:13; Luke 5:32), Jesus announces that he has come to call sinners to repentance, not the righteous. Those who are healthy have no need of a savior. Houses of worship provide a gathering for those who are sick, wounded and openly in need of forgiveness, nourishment and direction.
In addition, a Catholic professes that in liturgical action we encounter Jesus Christ in a way we do not on our own. Our public worship — as the Body of Christ — is a participation in the words and actions of our eternal high priest, Jesus. Our Scriptures proclaim his life, and our words and actions make present his saving words and actions.
Public worship, then, is an immersion in the saving work of Jesus Christ. The joining of sinners into communion is a sacred action that assists our growth in holiness and acknowledges our belief that Jesus is present to us when we gather in his name. This is why the author of Hebrews encourages the faithful to “not stay away from the assembly” (Heb 10:25) because a disciple of Jesus needs the encouragement of others.
While we are always free to worship God in our homes, it is no substitute for the collective gathering of those whom Jesus has called into communion: sinners.
The Rev. Duke Tufty, Unity Temple on the Plaza: Churches and temples aren’t the exclusive residence for hypocrites. Hypocrites are everywhere; there is even a bit of one in me. I preach living standards and moral codes that at times aren’t represented in my words and actions. I try to be a good person and live according to the book but at times fall short. I am a student of life, not a graduate of life. I am in the process of learning how to be the best I can be but still far from the finish line, and I’m okay with the way I am, a work in progress.
Just as a student who hasn’t learned how to read or write will learn, day by day, how to command a sizeable vocabulary and write proficiently, we human beings are learning how to be unconditionally loving and treat all people the way we want to be treated. Children are made aware of their misspellings and errors in grammar, learn from their mistakes and advance. When we are aware of our actions and the effect they have on others, we can learn from our mistakes and advance.

The true value of a church, however, is joining together with other like souls and sharing the journey. Have sympathy for those who talk the loudest about their goodness, or your lack of, for they are farthest from the goal.

•  Joshua 1:6-9  -   We are called to meditate on Jesus day and night, not just on Sunday or when we're at church. We shall prosper and have success if His words never depart from our mouth. It may be easy to pass out a tract or go to a prayer meeting, but it's difficult to live each day meditating on Him and doing His commandments. We are to labor for Jesus.

Here is a break down of the article above with scripture: 

• "People at churches I've attended are hypocrites, so am I wrong to worship at home?"
• Everyone is a hypocrite and to say we are not makes us a liar
• See 1 John 1:8-10
• You will never find a perfect church, but you do need to search out the scriptures about what God commands you to do when a problem in the church arises. Sometimes He calls you to leave the church.
• See 1 Corinthians 5 and 2 Thessalonians 3
• True believers have a true desire and hunger to be with other brothers and sisters in Christ. If you say that you love God but you do not want to be around His children you need to examine yourself to see if you are in the faith.
• See 1 John 4:20-21 and 2 Corinthians 13:5
• "Our Scriptures proclaim his life, and our words and actions make present his saving words and actions."
• It is not our scriptures, but God's. We use His word, not by our own invention or opinion, but by His holy inspiration.
• See Revelation 22:18-19, Deuteronomy 4:2, 12:32, and 2 Timothy 3:16
• "The joining of sinners into communion is a sacred action that assists our growth in holiness and acknowledges our belief that Jesus is present to us when we gather in his name."
• The church is not meant for an assembly of the lost but for the body of Christ. While all are sinners, the church building is meant for the edification of those who have been made clean by the blood of the Lamb. We don't come to church to worship each other but to worship God. Also, Jesus repeatedly told Peter to feed His sheep, He didn't say to feed the goats. (See John 21:15-17)
• See Revelation 20:11-15, Revelation 22:8-9, and Matthew 25:31-46
• "This is why the author of Hebrews encourages the faithful to “not stay away from the assembly” (Heb 10:25) because a disciple of Jesus needs the encouragement of others."
• Man often uses Hebrews 10:25 for his own glory. He fears that if people aren't assembling in a church building, then the giving plate will be empty (and therefore, so will his wallet) and he won't gain pride in growing numbers. But, assembling is not about numbers and should take place in every Christian household each day in the family. 
• It's never about numbers in the scripture: There was only 1 Savior for the whole world, Gideon's army of 32,000 was reduced to 300 so that God could show His power (see Judges 7), and David put his trust in the number of people he had instead of in the Lord and he was punished for his disobedience (See 2 Samuel 24)
• See Matthew 18:20

Other Scriptures to Ponder:

• Isaiah 66:1-2  -  God can't be contained in a building
• Acts 8:26-39  -  Philip and the Eunuch... the eunuch couldn't find truth in the buildings but God reached him through Philip in the desert.
• Song of Solomon 3:1-4  -  Solomon couldn't find Him whom his soul loved in the streets and the people were of no help, but God found him
• Acts 6:1-6,17-20  -  When Saul, turned Paul, was cast down and pricked by Jesus he was sent to a man's house, not a church.
• 1 Corinthians 14  -  God gives many spiritual gifts for the church that are meant for edifying the Body of Christ, not unbelievers.
• John 4:24  -  they that worship God must worship him in Spirit and truth... it's hard for the lost to do this when they have neither Spirit nor truth.
• Philippians 2:13  -  it is God who works in us to do His good pleasure and perfect will.

Also remember that, while Jesus did teach in the temples or "church buildings", he also taught on mountain sides, in boats on the sea shore, in houses, etc.

Children's Lesson: "The Wise Men Search for Jesus"
Read Matthew 2:9

Questions to Answer:
1.   What did the wise wen see in the sky one night?
2.   Why did the wise men travel to the far-off country of Judea?
3.   In what city did the chief priests and scribes say the Saviour would be born?
4.   How did God help the wise men find Jesus?

Bible Verse:
"We have seen his star in the east." Matthew 2:2

Prayer Requests:
Vicky S.  -  possibly has shingles again; going to doctor
Carol G.  -  single mom who is losing her job, has an interview Wednesday
Del M.  -  interview on Monday
Joel F.  -  losing his job by at the end of the year; expecting 4th child next May
Eric G.  -  losing his job at the end of the year; expecting 5th child next February
Sherry S.  -  losing her job at the end of the year
Ed G.  -  having surgery next Friday

Pray for those who are desiring a place to assemble with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ but can find a place.