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
About the Podcast
At Crossgate Church our purpose is to make more and better disciples for Jesus Christ.