Why Should I Stay in the Church?

Josh Rothschild

19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have boldness to enter the sanctuary through the blood of Jesus—
20 he has inaugurated for us a new and living way through the curtain (that is, through his flesh)—
21 and since we have a great high priest over the house of God,
22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water.
23 Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, since he who promised is faithful.
24 And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works,
25 not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.

–Hebrews 10:19-25

We stay in the church not because it’s easy or perfect, but because it’s where God forms, heals, and strengthens His people through the presence of Jesus and His Spirit working in and through His body—the church.

1. For the Self-Sufficient Christian: Stay because the church is where we’re formed and fortified.

• Formed: The church is a place of mutual encouragement toward love and good works (v.24).
• Fortified: Community protects us from sin and spiritual drift (v.25).

2. For the Hurting Christian: Stay because the church is where Gospel healing is found.

• Gospel Access: We have access to God through Jesus (v.19–20).
• Gospel Advocacy: Jesus is our High Priest and Advocate (v.21).

3. For the Weary Christian: Stay because the church helps us endure until the end.

• Encouragement: The church cheers us on and sustains us when we are spiritually exhausted (v.25).
• Perspective: Jesus’ return is near; we press on together with that hope in view.

4. Application: Root Yourself in the Life of the Church