Why Are You Here?

Today we go to church because ...

Why? Why are you here? For many, it's simply tradition. Lots show up for a good sermon and some singing. It's what we've always done. Or maybe it's something else. A good place to meet like-minded people for the sake of companionship. For some it's even less noble. A chance to show off, to present yourself in a positive light. "Look at me; I'm religious" or "attractive" or whatever.

The Bible says we gather for fellowship (Heb 10:25), to "hold fast the confession of our hope" (Heb 10:23), to "stimulate one another to love and good deeds" (Heb 10:24). We gather to "encourage one another and build up one another." (1 Thess 5:11) We gather to use our spiritual gifts for the edification of the body (1 Cor 14:12). Bigger than all that, "You have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel." (Heb 12:22-24)

Why are you in church today? Is it for you? Or is it for them and, most of all, for Jesus, "the mediator of a new covenant"? Are you singing a few songs and getting a helpful word, or are you joining with the all the saints to edify the body of Christ and worship the Savior? And if you're not in church today, why not? Which of these reasons is not sufficient to bring you?