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Welcome to 2024! Tis the season for resolutions, goal-making, and self-reflection.

Hopefully, the thought of attending church has at least crossed your mind. If you’re on the fence about church or need some encouragement, let me give you 3 critical reasons to attend church in 2024.

1. There is An Eternal Return On Your Investment.

I saw a meme with a picture of Lebron James as a kid opening a toy basketball net for Christmas. The caption read, “Greatest return on investment in history.” Lebron James has a net worth of 1 billion dollars. That simple toy paid off.

We all want a big return on our investments. Whether it’s investment of money into the stock market, time practicing a sport, or emotions into a relationship, we want to know if it will pay off.

The question is, “Will going to church pay off?” There’s a lot of competition for your time and attention. Will choosing church over a Sunday ball league be better for my kid's future? Is it better for my mental health to sleep in on Sunday instead of getting to church?

Consider the words of Jesus:

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:21).”

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well (Matthew 6:33.)”

Jesus believed placing God’s kingdom first would take care of everything else in your life. When you get the who figured out, the what and how fall into place.

If Jesus is correct, then the greatest investment you can make is in seeking God’s kingdom. You can’t do that without the church.

It’s the best investment for your kids because eternal life is far better than achieving at the highest level or sports. It’s your best investment because you need eternal life and a relationship with Jesus more than sleeping in on Sundays. In fact, several recent studies suggest church is good for your mental health (more on that later).

If you’re not sure about heaven, hell, and Jesus please consider investigating Jesus and Christian faith. Lee Strobel is a helpful author to read and speaker to listen to. If you’re wrong, and Jesus is right, there is a terrible return on your lack of investment waiting for you. But, if you give Jesus a chance you won’t regret it!

2. You Need A Close-Knit Community.

Gallup has polled Americans on their mental health every year since 2001. They found between 2019 and 2020 every category they tracked had a significant drop in mental health…except for one category. The only category of people that reported better mental health in 2020 compared to 2019 where those who attend church weekly! Even those who attend church monthly reported a sharp decline. Going to church truly makes a difference.

Why is that? Some say it’s the positive environment of the church. Others wonder if it’s being part of something bigger than yourself.

I think the psychological benefits are important. I also think there is a spiritual dimension we can’t always measure. We are a body, mind, and spirit. Spiritual health is crucial for our overall well-being. Spiritual health can’t happen without spiritual practices that connect us back to our Creator God.

Yes, you need great friends. But, you need a spiritual community to point you to Jesus.

I’ll admit the Church has not always been the best at this. Unfortunately, people who go to Church tend to point fingers. The good news is the Church at her best is a place where everyone can belong. The Church is for broken people who need the healing power of Jesus and all of us our broken. Some of us have forgotten that…or don’t want to admit it. I’m broken and need Jesus and the same is true of you.

3. The Church is The Closest You Can Get to Jesus.

Yes, you read that correctly. Jesus calls the Church his body (1 Corinthians 12:12-14, Ephesians 4:12-16, Colossians 1:18) and bride (Revelation 21:2).

God’s presence is everywhere, but Jesus physically comes to us through the local church. Until Jesus returns, the Church is the closest you will get to him. Jesus planned to use the Church to change the world! To be part of his world-changing life-giving mission you need to be part of a church.

The Church is a beautiful mess. Yes, the Church is not perfect but that’s because she is made up of imperfect people. That’s good because I’m imperfect and so are you. That means we can fit right in! Through the work of Jesus in us and through his work in our brothers and sisters in Christ, he will change us and the world.

Peter was told Jesus would build his church and the gates of hell would not overcome it. Gates are defensive weapons. Many people think evil is winning and the church is running scared. In reality, it is Satan running scared! The Church is charging the gates of hell to win ground and people for God’s Kingdom. Satan has lost!

Being part of the Church places you next to Jesus and His mission to save all of us.

So, Now What? 

Why not try watching one of our sermons online? Then, check us out in person at 302 Lebanon Avenue on Sunday. We would love to invite you into our community.