The Joy of Going to Church

 Temple Baptist Church - 9-13-2026

Psalm 122

 

Introduction:

A. What a privilege it is to gather together in the house of God!

 

1. Today’s generation is too busy for church! Yet, in the busyness of life, it can sometimes be difficult to see church as something we truly look forward to rather than another responsibility on an already full schedule. 

 

2. So many of God’s children have lost the joy of their salvation which will cause them to lose their joy of going to church!  The major four things that will cause us to lose our joy are:

 

a) Sin - Psalms 51:12  Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

 

b) Situations - Habakkuk 3:17-18  Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:  (18)  Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

 

c) Suffering - 1 Peter 1:6-7  Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:  (7)  That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

 

d) Selfishness - Revelation 3:16-17  So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.  (17)  Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

 

3. Because of this, in many of today’s churches, evening and midweek services have gradually declined as people struggle to make time for them.

 

4. I have often quoted this, but it is a great example of the existing attitude of churchgoers today. Someone once remarked, “Wednesday night services are only held to make busy people busier.”

 

5. We can certainly understand how demanding life can be, and there are seasons when our schedules leave us tired and stretched. Still, perhaps it is worth pausing to remember what a blessing it is to have a place where we can gather with God’s people.
6. The Joy of the Lord is our spiritual strength.

 

B. The house of God is not simply another appointment on our calendar. It is a place:

 

1. Where weary hearts can be refreshed. Wednesday is often called “Hump Day,” as it is the middle day of the week, and Wednesday night services are “Filling Stations” where we can refuel for the remainder of the week.

 

2. Where we enjoy the fellowship of God’s children and can encourage one another, so as to make church about others!

 

3. Where we can worship together. Oh, what joy to come to God’s house and find God at home: Bethel and El-Bethel! Abraham named a place Bethel (House of God), and later, when Jacob returned, he named it El-bethel (God of the House of God). He found God still at His House!

 

4. Where we hear and study God’s Word, so as to not be destroyed for lack of knowledge.

 

5. Where we can bring our tithes and offerings.

 

6. Where we can bless the Lord in the place that we cherish with grateful hearts.

 

C. I love to go to church. I am glad when it is time to assemble. It is not a burden; it is a blessing.

 

D. So many do not now have a love for the local church as we have!

 

1. We can tell by the lack of faithful attendance.

 

2. We can tell by the lack of willingness to stay for a while.

 

3. We can tell by the lack of emphasis placed on it in the home.

 

4. We can tell by the lack of joy and gladness in our services.

 

5. We can tell by the lack of personal invitations we give out.

 

6. We can tell by the lack of effect it has upon our lives.

 

7. We can tell by the lack of grooming of the grounds and buildings.

 

8. Psalms 84:10 For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand ... I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
   (Is this our outlook on church?)

 

E. Church should be a place to enjoy.  So many of God’s people are discouraged, disappointed, etc. that going to church has become a drudgery or just a discipline.  Going to church has been one of the greatest joys of Barbara and my life.  The joy of knowing that the church needs us!  It needs you!  Often, we needed our church, and you were there when we needed you.  In the hardest times and deepest valleys of our life, the joy of church just got greater.

 

F.  What makes going to church such a joy? In Psalm 122, we find the reasons that David was glad!

 

1. God’s House is a place of Stability — vs. 2

 

2. God’s House is a place of Unity — vs. 3

 

3. God’s House is a place of Testimony — vs. 4a

 

4. God’s House is a place of Worship — vs. 4b

 

5. God’s House is a place of Judgment — vs. 5a

 

6. God’s House is a place of Promise — vs. 5b

 

7. God’s House is a place of Peace — vs. 6a, 7a

 

8. God’s House is a place of Affection — vs. 6b

 

9. God’s House is a place of Prosperity — vs. 7b

 

10. God’s House is a place of Companionship — vs. 8

 

11. God’s House is a place of Sharing — vs. 9

 

Conclusion: This morning, we are glad, sad, or mad!