Why go to Church in an A.I. generation?
By Pastor Darrell Williams
We live in a world defined by hyper-individualism. At the same time our news feed screams that we should come together more because of "wars and rumors of wars"—from intense conflicts like Iran, Israel, and Russia-Ukraine, to humanitarian crises in Congo and Sudan, to the instability over immigration issues, the economy, racial injustice, lgbt agendas and cross border cartels.
The frequency and intensity of these "signs of the times" can breed fear, but for the believer, they point to a different reality: We see the Day of the Lord approaching! Our response is not to hide and withdraw, but to look up, knowing our redemption draws nigh. In this climate, the "unity of the Church" isn't a suggestion; it's our survival mechanism. It is critical because only within the collective body can we be truly empowered to faithfully worship Jesus, hold firm to our faith, and resist the temptation to drift away from this great salvation.
Our mothers used to sing a song that still echoes today:
“There’s a storm out on the ocean and it's moving this-a-way. If your soul is not anchored in Jesus, you will surely drift away.”
The mission of Ascend Worship Church and like-minded churches is precisely this: To build each other up in faith, hope, and love on the foundation of Christ. We gather so we can help one another stand, outlast, withstand, and thrive despite the fiery afflictions that define our generation.
The Threat of the Algorithm
We are fighting an unseen battle against a society that is rapidly enabling a moral decline. Through education, entertainment, media, politics and tech, our culture promotes a hyper-individualism that ignores the experience of others in favor of isolation. But we must remember that isolation enables the worst of our nature. It tempts us to justify our actions by what is right in our own eyes, ignoring what is right first for God, and then for our neighbor.
Biblical faith is not an individualized experience, like your Amazon cart or Netflix algorithm that customizes content just for you. The "god" of this world uses isolation to blind the masses to the goodness of the Living God. The ultimate counter-example is Jesus Christ, who did not isolate Himself from the human experience but became one of us and sacrificed Himself for us (John 3:16). Isolation is a wile of the devil—the strategy a lion uses by targeting the young, vulnerable, weak or even the strong, separating them from the group to make them easier prey.
Anchored Together
Faith in the 21st century requires the collective. As Ephesians 4:3-6 urges us, we must make every effort to "maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." Why?
1. Church is Not "Me, Myself, and I": We are part of something historical, global, and eternal (Hebrews 12:22-24). You are built upon the foundation of apostles, with Christ Himself as the cornerstone, growing into a holy temple (Ephesians 2:20-21). Believers found community in the church for hundreds of years before we arrived and this fellowship will continue long after we are gone, should Christ delay His coming.
2. Love Must Be Proven to be Real: True Agape love only exists when it is tested by difficulty or offense that exists in every relationship. We are commanded to bear or put up with one another in love. The world says, "Cut them off," but the Church should offer forgiveness. Forgiven people should be forgiving people. It is forgiveness that heals the sepsis in the body of Christ, protecting unity rather than burning down the house because of toxic resentment.
3. Every Part Has a Function: We are the body of Christ. An arm or leg cannot grow, heal, or mature alone (Ephesians 4:16). In community, we supply what others need, and receive what we lack. When one part hurts, the whole body responds. The broken and hurting among us become an opportunity for the blessed and gifted to show the kindness of God.
4. Faith Rarely Thrives Apart: Seventy percent or more of the New Testament was written to communities called churches. As men wrote inspired of the Holy Spirit, they directed the Word of God not to individuals but communities. The purpose was to create fellowships of accountability so brothers and sisters would not sit in condemnation of others but keep one another accountable while encouraging each other to hold firm to the faith in times of temptation and trouble.
Step Into the Light
The adversary wants you isolated. He tempts you to stay home and watch online only, to believe your introverted nature is a license to retreat. He tries to convince you that if you separate from your family, friends or church, you can "protect your peace." But that is a lie. Solitary confinement is punishment; it is not peace. True peace (Shalom) is a holistic wellbeing, found in connected community. Jesus did not pray to take us out of the world, but to keep us from the evil influences within it. He doesn't want us isolated, but insulated through the unity of Spirit in the bond of peace.
Don't hide in isolation, thinking you need to conceal your dirt, your scars, your addictions, or your shame. We all have them. Come into the light. Make a doctor's office appointment at a local church this Sunday where Jesus, the Great Physician can examine your soul by the Holy Spirit, and where other believers can "pray one for another that you may be healed." Give God a chance to do something amazing in your life. The dark corners of isolation only promise more darkness, but the light of God's Word gives hope.
Listen to the teaching podcast to hear the entire message: https://into.church/Podcast/why-go-to-church