Ps. 122:1 I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go into the house of the LORD."

4. The Benefits of
Being Here!
1 Tim 3:14-15 These things I write to you,
though I hope to come to you shortly; but if I
am delayed, I write so that you may know how
you ought to conduct yourself in the house of
God, which is the church of the living God, the
pillar and ground of the truth.

6. 3 ways to understand “church!”
• The church “universal” = all Christians
everywhere both dead and living! (Act. 2:47)
• The church “local” = Christians that meet
together in specific location! (Rom. 16:16)
• The church “individual” = each person that
makes up the body of Christ! (1 Cor. 12:12)
• Tonight we will be addressing the 2nd of these!

7. The need for the local congregation!
• I need you, you need me & we all need Jesus!
• How many of us have been told “ I can be a
Christian & not be a member of a local
congregation!” Is this the case?
–A Christian yes, but a faithful Christian?
• We are better together and God designed the
church to function this way! (Heb. 10:22-25)

8. I. Worship gives Encouragement!
• When you think about being encouraged,
what comes to mind?
– Encourage = to give support, confidence, or hope;
to help or stimulate the development of others!
• The Bible has a lot to say about this need in our
lives!
– Heb. 3:13; 10:22-25; 1 Tim. 6:3; 2 Tim. 4:1-5

9. Building up the Body!
• The weak need strength from the strong!
– Gal. 6:1-2 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any
trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a
one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself
lest you also be tempted. Bear one another's
burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
–Rom. 12:4-5; 1 Cor. 10:23-24; Phil. 2:3-4

10. II. Worship gives Enjoyment!
• It is good for us to be here!
–Not a burden, but a blessing!
–Not a punishment, but a privilege!
• Are we “glad” to be here tonight? (Ps. 122:1)
– Ps 52:9 I will praise You forever, Because You have
done it; And in the presence of Your saints I will
wait on Your name, for it is good.
– Ps 54:6 I will freely sacrifice to You; I will praise
Your name, O LORD, for it is good.

11. In the “Presence of God!”
• Mt 18:20 "For where two or three are
gathered together in My name, I am there in
the midst of them.“ (NKJV)
• Mt 18:20 For where two or three have come
together in my Name, I am present with
them." (TCNT)
• The direction, correction & perfection we
need! (Ps. 19:1-14; Col. 1:28)

12. III. Worship gives Endurance!
• The Christian life/race is not one of speed but of
endurance!
– Heb 12:1-2 Therefore we also, since we are
surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us
lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily
ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the
race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the
author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy
that was set before Him endured the cross,
despising the shame, and has sat down at the right
hand of the throne of God.

13. The need to draw near to God!
• Js 4:7-8 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil
and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and
He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you
sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-
minded. (cf. Ps. 73:28; 145:18)
• If one feels far from God, it isn’t God that moved
but man! (Gen. 3:1-10)
• “God wants full custody & not weekend visits!”
– Lk. 9:23; 1 Tim. 4:7-8 cf. Rev. 2:10

14. Conclusion:
• I hope that next time someone ask, “why do
I need the church?” We will be better
prepared to answer!
• Truly David got it right, it is good to be here
tonight! (Ps. 122:1) “I am glad!” to be with
the saints in the presence of God!
• Are you a Christian, a part of the church?