Does it Really Matter What Church I Attend?

Our society today promotes the idea that we should attend the church of our choice. As long as we have faith in something, we will be okay. But is this what the Bible teaches? Does is matter to God what church we attend?

Many years ago a Samaritan woman had a similar dilemma about the proper way to worship God. Let us hear how Jesus replied to this woman:

John 4:23-24 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Jesus, in his response, speaks about the TRUE worshippers of God. Since Jesus uses this phrase 'true worshippers' we can rightly imply that there must be false worshippers that attempt to worship God! Jesus goes on to explain the conditions that are necessary to be a true worshipper of God, and there are two: We MUST worship in 1. spirit and in 2. truth!


Image Source

So it is of vital importance that we seek and find a church that worships God in spirit AND in truth! If you have one without the other, you do not fulfill Jesus' conditions of a true worshipper! In fact, the Bible gives us many examples of individuals who met one condition but not the other:

Example 1: Truth without Spirit

Jewish Scribes & Pharisees

Matthew 15:8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

These Jewish Scribes and Pharisees had some truth in their worship (they prayed, sacrificed, tithed, etc.) but their SPIRIT was wrong! Their hearts were focused on themselves- they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God- they desired to appear religious to others and to puff up their own pride! They were worshipping in truth but NOT in spirit!

So some questions to ask yourself are:

Where is your heart when you worship?
What are your motives in attending church?
Do you attend church to appear religious?
Do you attend church for social or business purposes?
Do you sometimes go through the motions of worship without putting your heart into it?

Image Source

I confess to you there are times when I've gone through the motions without putting my full heart into worship. I have sung songs without focusing on the words. I have lost focus during prayers. I've been distracted during sermons. This is not acceptable to God! We must praise Him and worship Him from our hearts and not just go through the motions!

You see, it's not enough just to have truth, we MUST have the spirit! He desires and deserves our full spirit in worship!

Example 2: Spirit without Truth

Apollos

Acts 18:24-28 And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. 25 This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. 26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. 27 And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace: 28 For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.

Here Apollos had the right spirit in preaching- but his doctrine (or truth) was in error. When Aquila and Priscilla taught him the truth more completely, he gladly changed his doctrine and taught the truth (because he had the right spirit!).

I believe many churches in the world may have the spirit but NOT the truth. The truth is JUST as important! There are many verses that warn of the dangers of following false doctrine (2 Timothy 4:3-4 for example).

2 Timothy 4:3-4 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

You see, these two concepts play off each other. If you have the right spirit, you will seek out the truth and study God’s word to figure out what God instructs us to do in our worship assemblies. And if you really have the truth in your heart, it will energize and inspire you to focus your spirit on Him during worship!

Conclusion

In conclusion, based on my study of the word of God, here is a chart that shows some of the Biblical requirements for worshipping God in spirit and in truth in the assembly:

Is this how you worship every Sunday? If not, perhaps it's time to make a change!

Let us all strive to be TRUE worshippers of God!

God bless & be with you,

Jacob