QUESTION: Do you think it's necessary to attend church to keep the Sabbath?
One of the things that I love about attending church is being able to see my extended "family" and catch up on the lives of the youth in my life. At church we're able to spend time with our Father and together learn more about Him. Secondly, it helps us stay in touch with the bigger family, mission and calling that God has given us. I've traveled to different parts of our world on mission trips and speaking at youth events, and I love being a part of a worldwide church. It helps me understand the common goals and purposes we share are not just unique to my home church.
Perhaps the question should be, what is a church? The Bible talks about the importance of being in relationship with each other. Matthew 18:20 says, "For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." So Jesus is the one who draws us together for support, accountability and fellowship. Without that, it's easy for any one of us to drift away from God's calling. In praying with each other and sharing with each other, we grow together as God's family, just like Acts 2:44 describes the early church: "All the believers were together and had everything in common."
So, yes, you can keep the Sabbath without attending church, but you'll miss the blessings of being with a "family of believers" that is so important to Christian growth and God's purpose for his people. So I look forward to seeing you at church. Keep looking uP!
