Why Do We Go to Church?

We have numerous reasons for attending church. Some go because it is a habit; others want to visit with old friends. These are both good reasons. However, there is a more important reason, which we will talk about in this week’s sermon.


Scripture: Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop – a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. He who has ears, let him hear.”

“Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the words and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown."


Renewing Reflections
It is our prayer that Renewing Reflections will be a blessing in your life this coming week. This quote is taken from the sermon Four Types of Ears delivered on Christian Crusaders February 24, 2002:

The Christian ear, which hears the message brought to Nicodemus, is the old story that never grows old. It brings us assurance and security. If you are old and shut-in and wonder if anyone cares anymore, Jesus says, “I love you. You are mine. I have bought you with a price.” If Satan is tempting you and making your life miserable, Jesus reminds us that God is our refuge and strength. Through Him we receive power to overcome even Satan. The glorious Gospel has a message for all types of ears. Let our prayer be simple and to the point: “Lord, wherever we are in our relationship with you, open our ears. For until you open them, we are deaf to the glorious message of God’s love in Christ.”


Did You Know?
In addition to broadcasting over traditional radio stations and the Internet, Christian Crusaders also beams its message across North America and much of Europe on shortwave radio. Through World Harvest Radio – WHRI – and their 100,000 watt, Angel 2, transmitter, we are able to reach many households that are otherwise unreachable.

World Harvest Radio’s parent company, LeSEA Broadcasting, has a long history of working in the mission field and with shortwave radio. Its founder, Dr. Lester Sumrall, had his first experience with shortwave radio in the 1940s. Since that time, LeSEA has expanded to three stations and five transmitters that reach the entire earth with the Gospel. Christian Crusaders is privileged to be a part of the World Harvest Radio network.


On the Light Side
Bob Hope once said, “Whenever I play golf with Gerald Ford, I usually try to make it a foursome – the President, myself, a paramedic, and a faith healer.”
Pity the man who told his boss he was going to church for a funeral, but went instead to the golf course and shot his first hole-in-one.

They say it’s no sin to play golf on Sunday, but the way some golfers play, it’s a crime.

You can always tell a golfer in church. He is the one who uses an interlocking grip when he puts his hands together to pray.