Romans 1:12 "I'm eager to encourage you in your faith but I also want to be encouraged by your faith. In this way each of us will be a blessing to the other."
Back in verse 11 Paul tells them "I long to visit you so I can share a spiritual blessing with you that will help you grow strong in the Lord" These two verses express the vital purpose of the church and why we are told not to forsake the assembling of outselves together.
The purpose is: to encourage each other in our faith in Christ to be built up spiritually in our faith by encouraging one another to share our spiritual journey
If you go to church just to recieve spiritual food from the pastor hoping it will keep you fed for another week you are misguided. You should go to encourage someone in their faith and be encouraged by the faith of others.
If you go to church because it is expected of you as a christian you are misguided. Share your testimony of what God has done for you in the last month. Share your pain that God is bringing you thru. People go to a local bar to socialize with others of a similar status and find friendship and encouragement.
If you go to church to socialize and see friends you not much better off than a bar patron. The pastor can only give you a spiritual meal but you need to keep eating from God's Word every day or you will starve.
Go to church because you love your Heavenly Father and Jesus, not because you should.
Go to church to encourage someone in their faith and be encouraged, not to just listen to a sermon.
Go to church to worship the Father who is walking with you and helped you this week.
Go to church to pray for those who need strength or to ask for strength yourself.
Go to church to sing His praise
Go to church to remind yourself and others that God is with us.
