What Happens When You Miss Church

John 20:25

The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.

The first Sunday church service was when Jesus met with the disciples after He rose from the dead on the first day of the week. The one person who was not there was Thomas. When the disciples who were present told him what happened at that church service, his doubt came out about him not believing that Jesus rose from the dead. In fact, he said, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. Now, you must understand that Thomas was likely at every service before this when Jesus preached, but he missed one service, and that one service missed affected His faith and relationship with Christ.

When you miss church or are unfaithful to all of the church services, it affects your walk with God and your perspective in life. You cannot be a good Christian and be unfaithful to all of the church services. I have never seen one person who is a good Christian that misses church services. Being in church is critical to your spiritual health and walk with God. Let me use Thomas’ example of missing church to show you what missing a service can do to your Christian walk.

First, missing church affects your peace in life. At this first Sunday church service, Jesus said to the disciples, Peace be unto you. The events that had happened in the previous week caused the disciples to be filled with anxiety and distress, but being at church calmed their anxiety when Jesus gave them peace. You will struggle to find peace in life when you miss church. Church has a way of calming your outlook on life and gives you the peace you need to face life despite the trials you face.

Second, missing church causes you to miss the miraculous. Thomas could not say that He was at the first church service after Jesus rose from the dead. Many have missed God doing something miraculous by missing one church service. You will never understand the excitement that others have who saw God do something wonderful if you are not there. You never know which service God will choose to do the miraculous, so if you don't want to miss it, be there for every service.

Third, missing church affects your faith in God. Thomas did not believe because his faith was not built when he missed church. Your faith in God will never be what it could be if you are unfaithful to all of the church services. You will live your life in unbelief if you are unfaithful to church. Church has a way of strengthening and challenging your faith.

Fourth, missing church affects your will. Thomas said, I will not believe. Thomas lived in His will instead of God’s will because he missed church. You will never surrender to God’s will when you miss church. God’s will determines your fulfillment in life; therefore, if you want to live a fulfilling life in God’s will, you must be faithful to church.

Fifth, missing church causes you to miss God’s mission for your life. Jesus told the disciples,…as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. God made you for a purpose, and you will never find that purpose if you miss church. Being faithful to church will not only help you to find God’s mission for your life, but it will encourage you to keep doing it when you become discouraged. Simply put, don't miss church!