1 00:00:00,110 --> 00:00:05,250 Human Resources people tell us that the first step in motivating employees to better service 2 00:00:05,250 --> 00:00:09,710 is by showing them how their job fits in to the company's overall objectives. 3 00:00:09,710 --> 00:00:15,440 The idea is that if they understand the "big picture" and what part they play, they will work more 4 00:00:15,440 --> 00:00:19,370 intelligently and therefore more profitably and creatively. 5 00:00:19,370 --> 00:00:24,130 I believe that if we used the same approach in determining the relationship between our 6 00:00:24,130 --> 00:00:29,520 church attendance and our commitment to follow in Jesus as disciples we would rediscover 7 00:00:29,520 --> 00:00:36,329 a basic premise: the purpose of our Christianity is not simply coming to church. 8 00:00:36,329 --> 00:00:41,920 If we examined the Scriptures carefully we would understand that the purpose of our Christianity is two-fold: 9 00:00:41,920 --> 00:00:45,100 1. To Glorify God 10 00:00:45,110 --> 00:00:49,050 Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and 11 00:00:49,050 --> 00:00:54,320 glorify your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16) 12 00:00:54,320 --> 00:01:01,120 This is done through good works of all kinds for all types of people in different situations. 13 00:01:01,130 --> 00:01:05,250 2. To be a Witness for Christ 14 00:01:05,250 --> 00:01:10,060 Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father 15 00:01:10,060 --> 00:01:14,840 who is in heaven. (Matthew 10:32) 16 00:01:14,840 --> 00:01:18,800 This is accomplished through evangelism and love. 17 00:01:18,800 --> 00:01:24,700 Going to church is one of the means by which these things are accomplished, not the end. 18 00:01:24,700 --> 00:01:30,540 At church we, glorify God through worship; witness for Christ through communion; love 19 00:01:30,540 --> 00:01:33,299 others through fellowship and service. 20 00:01:33,299 --> 00:01:34,400 The Lord said that, 21 00:01:34,400 --> 00:01:40,170 The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. (Mark 2:27) 22 00:01:40,170 --> 00:01:47,000 In the same way, church services were created to serve man's needs to worship, confess Christ 23 00:01:47,000 --> 00:01:53,390 and express his love, not to become a tedious legal exercise. If we remember the true role 24 00:01:53,390 --> 00:01:58,210 of church attendance in the greater scheme of things perhaps it will bring more meaning 25 00:01:58,210 --> 00:02:01,490 to our Sundays and motivation for the other days of the week. 26 00:02:02,480 --> 00:02:04,480 Discussion Questions 27 00:02:04,480 --> 00:02:11,380 1. On a scale of 1-10 (1 being not important and 10 being extremely important) how would you rate the importance of church attendance? Why this rating? 28 00:02:11,380 --> 00:02:18,560 2. What don't you like about public church services? Like? 29 00:02:18,560 --> 00:02:26,440 3. What is the number one reason you attend/don't attend worship services? 30 00:02:26,440 --> 00:02:33,560 4. What do you want to "get" when you attend a worship service? 31 00:02:33,560 --> 00:02:40,500 5. Is one church's worship service as good as another? Why? Why not?