1. Because God is the one who has gathered us. (Gospel)
- "For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit." - Ephesians 2:18-22
- "The day we find the perfect church, it becomes imperfect the moment we join it." - Charles Spurgeon
- On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them… Acts 20:7
2. Because we experience God in a unique way when we're together. (Community)
- And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit… Acts 4:31a
- "There's an element of worship and Christianity that cannot be experienced in private worship or by watching worship. There are some graces and blessings that God gives only in 'meeting together' with other believers." - Donald Whitney
- ...be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart. Ephesians 5:18-19
- "The fruit of the gathering is not just a strong individual, but a strong church, united in faith. In this sense, the gathering is unique not as an encounter with God...rather it's unique because it is an encounter with the people of God, filled with the Spirit of God, spurring one another along in the mission of God. Christ in me meets Christ in you." - Mike Cosper
3. Because it makes our 'scattering' more effective. (Mission)
- "And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness." - Acts 4:31
- "And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, "Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them." - Acts 4:24
- " . . . for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28 to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. 29 And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness." - Acts 4:27-29
