Why Shouldn't I Stay Home and Watch Church Online?

Summary

Summary prepared by Acts 2:38 Life from the transcript below — the preacher’s words follow in full.

The command and the early church

• The question posed (in the host's frame): a little over two years ago — as the host's frame dates it — the pandemic hit north america, as we all know. And government officials started asking everyone, to quarantine. And as a result, out of that, many churches, for the first time, began to stream their worship services online. And most churches have been able to gather back in person, for many months now. But a lot of churches are still streaming online, as a form of outreach. It seems, by the way, to be very effective. I would say, just having done this in the past, during quarantine: that watching church, from the comfort of your recliner, does seem to have some advantages. We can pray. We can worship. We can hear preaching. All without leaving home. And many pastors are reporting to us, that at least some members are seem to be opting out ('are seem to be opting out', as heard) of in-person worship services, permanently, and in favor of online church. So i guess that leads to a question: is online church a sufficient replacement, for in-person worship? And why should we bother, with the hassle of getting dressed on a sunday morning, and going to church in person, when we could just worship at home, from our living room? The answer: let's start with hebrews (the pinpoint as he gives it). It says: forsake not the assembling of yourselves together, as the manner of some is. And then it goes on to say: you should actually be meeting even more, as you see the day of the lord approaching. So meeting together is god's idea. It's god's command. The early church, which was a model for us, in acts (the chapter as he gives it), said: they met — of course they met in a large company, in the temple, which would be the temple grounds — and from house to house. So there are large meetings, and small meetings. Even if you can't have a large meeting, you can still have a small meeting. You don't think god had a virtual world in mind? No, i don't think so. Now, obviously, there was no technology, such as we have now. And i will say: of course technology can be a great benefit. And we've used technology in many ways, even before the internet. We would record (a) service. And people — the shut-ins — we would give them a tape, or a cd. And i would say: if you're physically prevented from coming to church, due to illness, or, you know, mandatory work schedule, travel: we all understand, there may be occasional times that you will miss. That's true of everyone.

Scriptures: Hebrews 10:25; Acts 2

The grace principle — when you can, you should

• And we also recognize that: if you really can't come, because of circumstances beyond your control, we do believe in the grace of god. And so i do believe that, in that case, the internet can be a great help. Because people can actually get the message, and participate virtually. And i believe the grace of god will make up the difference. But that's a general principle: if you're unable to do everything you want, then you trust the grace of god to make up the difference. But when you can do something, and neglect it: then you don't really have an assurance of the grace of god. And you could backslide. You could lose some of your fervor, and strength. And it could happen without you realizing it. Because: when you know to do something, and don't do it, it's sin, if you neglect. Now, i'm not saying that someone who occasionally misses — because of legitimate reasons, but yet tries to tune in, or, you know, to watch online — or someone who's traveling, or someone who's been in multiple services in a row, and then chooses one virtually: i'm not saying they've sinned, or (are) going to hell, or going to backslide. I'm just saying the principle is: when you can do something, you should. When you can't do it, then you can trust the grace of god. But when you knowingly neglect, or knowingly refuse, to do what is good: then you do bear greater responsibility. And the bible does teach to assemble ourselves together.

The practical difference, risk, and the close

• On a practical level, what difference does it make? Well, there's an intangible factor: of worship, of intercessory prayer, of consecration, of fellowship, the atmosphere of building faith. And so there are many benefits. And we humans are social creatures. We're not meant to be in isolation. It's unhealthy — psychologically, socially, even physically, and spiritually — to be isolated, and disconnected. Now, i do know some people have great risk, because of risk factors. And i understand their caution. But i would say: you can't live life without any risk. I mean, just getting in the car, and traveling, is a risk. So i do believe we shouldn't take — we should try to mitigate risk, and take all reasonable measures. So, for example: when i travel, i wear a seat belt. So i'm minimizing the risk, or doing what i can to avoid the risk. So i think: when covid ('cove', as heard) had first hit, we tried to follow reasonable regulations: of masks, of — they said two weeks to flatten the curve. So go online, for two weeks. Or have parking lot church. Or maybe have small house groups. So i never advocated that we wouldn't have church. But you can have church, in different forms. And so, if it had to be in small groups, or in (a) house, or whatever — and yes, online could provide that — but that's only temporary, local, when it's absolutely necessary. But as soon as you're able to do something different, you should. Now, again, someone who's at very high risk, or in a home of high-risk people: i understand they will be more cautious. But at some point, you have to take steps to mitigate the risk. But you have to be willing to assume at least some risk. And you have to be willing to trust god. Now, trusting god doesn't mean not using your brain, and not taking precautions, that you can. As i've already said: i trust god, when i drive or fly. But that's not incompatible with wearing a seat belt. Because that's something i can do. And so i'm not saying just ignore the issues. But i think, probably, we need to reevaluate the calculus. And serving god, and coming to church, and worshiping together, is a very high priority. And we should be willing to assume some level of risk, in order to fulfill something that's much more important. And i think we are at a level, in our society, for the vast majority of the people — with proper measures, you can still take measures if you wish, such as social distancing, masking, vaccination, whatever you feel would help you — and you can still come to church. And still participate. Still worship. And for those that don't, i would say: well, you know, do you go grocery shopping? Do you go to work? Do you go out to eat? And maybe you can do some of those things virtually. But are you going to live your whole life virtually? Are you going to live your whole life, in the confines of your home? First of all, probably not. So if you're not going to do it for other things, you shouldn't do it for god. And if you are living your whole life strictly in isolation, that's probably more unhealthy for you, than whatever level of risk, that we currently have. And so, looking at it all together: it's time to go to the house of god. Why should we do it? Number one: it's a command from god. Number two: it has many intangible benefits. I'm thankful for the technology, that assists us in expanding our outreach, assisting us with shut-ins, or exceptional circumstances. So i'm not against the use of the technology. And i'm not against all of us, on occasion, going online, as the best choice under the circumstances. But overall, i would say: we all have to be in church, on a weekly basis, and worshiping god together. (The host's agreeing close stands in the verbatim layer.)

Scripture index: Hebrews 10:25; Acts 2.