“And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: so that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing. ” 1st Thessalonians 1:6-8

Many people have offered what I think is a very lame excuse for not attending church regularly. They say, “I can worship God as well in my boat as I can in church.” That may be more telling than they care to admit. Also, I seriously doubt they had a Bible lying next to their fishing rod while they were on the lake.

Contrary to this way of thinking, we would be hard pressed to find an example of this kind of attitude toward worship in the 1st Century Church. When we do find it, the Apostles strongly warned against that dark path.

The New Testament pattern of worship is as a church. We certainly can worship God independently and in families. In fact, if we increase those efforts, our time together in public worship will greatly benefit. But we need to go further than individual and small group study and fellowship. God designed His church to be the place where He would teach and care for His purchased children.

That is why Paul mentions that the Thessalonians were following the Lord by following him. The way we show love to God is by showing love to the fellow saints of God. The way we serve God is by serving fellow believers in church.

Imagine the power of the church at Thessalonica! They were so devoted to God and one another that their reputation spread far beyond the borders of their own country. And that is without Facebook, email, or television!