Do I have to go to Church?

2nd Chronicles 27

Sometimes I will see someone that I have not seen in a while. I will say, “Hi!” Then I will ask where have you been? Usually I get the response that they have been really busy or stuff has come up. It is true that we all get busy but honestly what they tell is just a excuse because they have stopped having fellowship and worshiping with other believers. It is so important that we go to church. A saying that Pastor Forrest would always say is, “The more you go the more you Grow.” 

In this chapter we look at the life of Jotham who was king over Judah for 16 years.

But He did not enter into the Temple

We read that Jotham who took over after Uzziah did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and according to all that his father Uzziah did but he did not enter into the temple of the Lord. Out of his 16 years as king he never entered into the temple of the Lord! Some commentators would suggest that this was that he did not enter into the temple place that only the Levites and priests could enter so he was being obedient. But I take it as he was not going to the temple because of his dad, Uzziah and his criticism of the temple worship. He did not want to worship God in his temple.

Jotham did good in the eyes of the Lord but he did not worship with the others in the temple. The result of this in his leadership was that the people still did corrupt worship or they still worshiped the idols on the high places of Judah. Because of his lack of importance with worshiping God only and in the temple the people felt they had the liberty to worship idols wherever and however. Jotham needed to be the good example of a faithful follower of God by worshiping him. Jotham did right still as before every battle and every thing he went to the Lord for guidance but it did not set a good example to his followers.

It is important for us to go to church on a continual basis. We need to be filled daily by us seeking the Lord through his Word and prayer but we also need to be around other Christians so we can serve the Lord and the lost together. We go to church to worship publicly and corporately as it is encouraging to be with other believers. We sit under the teaching of the pastor so we can be fed corporately as well as individually. Hebrews 10:25 tells us that we need not to forsake the meeting together and that is why we have church, to grow and serve together. We need accountability and we are members of the body as we serve, each with different gifts to accomplish the great goal of meeting the lost.