THE BENEFITS OF MAKING CHURCH A SPIRITUAL HOME

DOCTRINAL TEACHING ON BENEFITS OF MAKING CHURCH A SPIRITUAL HOME BY PASTOR E. OLA AKERELE, ABESAN AREA SUPERINTENDENT DURING THE THE APOSTOLIC CHURCH NIGERIA, LAWNA TERRITORY, ABEOKUTA AREA 45THANNUAL CONVENTION ON SUNDAY 17^TH MARCH, 2024 BY 9.00 A.M.

CONVENTION THEME: ASSURANCE OF SALVATION – ACTS 4:12.

TEACHING’S TOPIC: THE BENEFITS OF MAKING CHURCH A SPIRITUAL HOME – ACTS 2:42; HEBREWS 10:25; RULES OF CONDUCT 5.

INTRODUCTION:

We shall consider some of the Scriptures that buttress the importance of daily and regular attendance of church services such as:

“I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.” Psalm 122:1.

“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”

“And they continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart.” Acts 2:42, 46

“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much more, as ye see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25.

Rules of Conduct; line 5: Make the church your spiritual home. Acts 2:46-47; Psalm 133:1.

These ones and others reveal to us, the attitudes of the Patriarchs of faith and Apostolic members of old towards the regular church meetings attendance which should change the attitude of Sunday Sunday Worshippers.

DEFINITION OF TERMS SUCH AS: BENEFITS, CHURCH, SPIRITUAL HOME.

Benefit according to Merriam- Webster Dictionary, is something that produces good or helpful results or effects or that promotes well-being.
Church will be viewed in three perspectives:

i. The church is the congregation of those called out of the world through repentance and conversion towards God and faith towards the Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 20:21; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 Peter 2:9. They are the redeemed of the Lord, out of the earth. Revelation 5:9-10; Hymn appendix 190.

ii. The Local Church – This is a group of believers meeting in a particular location for spiritual, ecclesial and social purposes. Acts 2:42, 5:11, 13:1-2; e.g. Ijemo Agbadu Assembly, Adigbe Assembly etcetera.

iii. The Church Building. The building where the local assembly meets for worship. We have them as Church Auditorium or Temple today.

Spiritual Home. Gk., oikos pneumatikos, “a house spiritual.” a body of Christians (a Church) as pervaded by the Spirit and power of God. 1 Peter 2:5; a term applicable to God’s house: “ a house of prayer,” the temple – Matthew 21:13. As we have our building for shelter; so also we have church as our spiritual home against demonic attacks.

THE BENEFITS OF MAKING THE CHURCH A SPIRITUAL HOME.

Church building is a place dedicated to the worship of the Most High God. Hebrews 10:25. this fellowship must be on daily basis. Acts 2:42,46. The benefits that is therefore embedded in daily church attendance are numerous – 1 Kings 8:22-59 nevertheless; these seven benefits shall be elucidated:

I. CHURCH IS A SPIRITUAL HOME WHERE WE EXPERIENCE THE SPECIAL PRESENCE OF CHRIST JESUS. When Jesus began teaching about the purpose of His church, He made this statement:“For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:20.

Throughout the Scripture, whenever God’s people would gather to worship, God promised a special manifestation of His presence. This is known as the corporate presence of God. While the Lord is present inside each of His children, when we come together to worship as the church, He is present in an even greater way. All throughout the Bible, when God’s people came together in His name, powerful things occurred. As experienced during the dedication of Solomon’s Temple – 1 Kings 8:10-11 the miraculous outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost – Acts 2:1-4, and the sudden healing of a cripple man – Acts 14:8-10, the record shows that the Lord longs to manifest special blessings on His gathered people.

II.CHURCH IS A SPIRITUAL HOME FOR THE PURPOSE OF RECEIVING SALVATION THROUGH THE WORD,FELLOWSHIP AND PRAYER. In accordance with this year’s convention theme: Assurance of salvation. Salvation is obtainable in the presence of God and it is the ultimate gift ever.Jeremiah 3:23; Obadiah verse 17; Micah 7:7; Hebrews 2:3.

III. CHURCH IS A SPIRITUAL HOME WHERE TO ENCOUNTER JESUS CHRIST FOR SPIRITUAL AND PHYSICAL HEALING. The Sanctuary of God is our spiritual hospital for various kinds of healing and health wise. Jesus is our great Physician. He heals till today! The examples of the healing carried out in the Sanctuary of God in the life of a man whose one hand withered. Luke 6:6-10; one woman in Luke 13:10-17 as well; and the lame man at the gate of the temple called Beautiful. Acts 3:1-11.

IV. CHURCH IS A SPIRITUAL HOME FOR LEARNING AT THE FEET OF JESUS CHRIST – MATTHEW 5-8; LUKE 10:38-42; 2 TIMOTHY 2:15.

Learning and hearing the word of God increases our faith – Romans 10:17, 10:14-15. Hebrews 11:6. Answers to prayer – James 1:6-8. It makes one to live a victorious Christian life over Satan, world, flesh, and sin their works – 1 John 5:4.
Enables spiritual growth – 1 Peter 2:2. c. Renews our minds – 2 Corinthians 10:5.

V.CHURCH IS A SPIRITUAL HOME FOR SHELTER AND PROTECTION – Proverbs 18:10.

VI. CHURCH ATTENDANCE CREATES AN ATMOSPHERE FOR THE MANIFESTATION AND USAGE OF THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT,1 Corinthians 14:23-26 which leads to edification.

VII. DAILY CHURCH ATTENDANCE BRINGS ABOUT JOY AND GLADNESS – Psalm 16:11; 122:1; Acts 2:46-47.

CONCLUSION AND APPLICATION:

Our presence in the prayer meetings daily and regularly will bring about to us unprecedented miracles. Let us beware not to commit the error of Thomas who missed out the blessing of Jesus Christ post resurrection first appearance. John 20:24-29. Absence from the daily worship in the Sanctuary might be a bait of the devil to lure one into sin. Matthew 26:58-74. As the Second Advent of our Saviour Jesus Christ is imminent, let us take the attendance of morning, evening and all church meetings and services as important, hence, we have seen together the benefits of His Sanctuary. Deuteronomy 12:5-7, 11-14; Hebrews 12:22; 1 Peter 2:5. May the Lord bless us all.