Why do you come to Church?
Why do you participate in the life of the Church?
Why are you here this morning?
When you think of the Church, what kind of purpose comes into your mind?
As fallen people we often tend to derive our purpose from temporary activities. While these things may not be bad, they can lead us astray if we assign to them ultimate purpose. For an example, you may say that you go to church for one of the following reasons:
- To hear a good sermon
- To make my marriage better
- To serve others
- To fellowship
These are all good things and they are to some extent reasons why you should come to Church and why you should be part of the Church. Yet they are not ultimate things, they are not eternal things, and thus they do not serve us well when it comes to true purpose.
Yet when it comes to the Gospel, our salvation, and the Church we must get purpose right.
Like a ship that is just 1 degree off on it’s navigation if it doesn’t correct its course it can end up hundreds if not thousands of miles off, lost at sea or shipwrecked upon unexpected rocks. So also if our purpose is not aligned properly with God’s Word you can be sure that a lesser purpose or a slightly asque purpose will eventually lead you theologically, spiritually, and morally astray!
Paul helps us to get our purpose straight in the following text from the book of Ephesians.
Eph 3:8-13
8 This grace was given to me, I being less than the least of all the saints, to preach the gospel of the unsearchable riches of Christ among the nations,
9 and to bring to light all, what is the fellowship of the mystery having been hidden from eternity in God, the One creating all things through Jesus Christ,
10 so that now to the rulers and to the authorities in the heavenlies might be made known through the assembly the manifold wisdom of God,
11 according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord,
12 in whom we have boldness and access in confidence through His faith.
13 Therefore, I ask you not to faint at my troubles on your behalf, which is your glory.
