Above all else, we must be saved!

"For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe." - 1 Corinthians 1:21

We need a true man of God to preach the gospel to us so that we can be saved.

"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?" - Romans 10:13-16

How do we obey the gospel?

On the day of Pentecost when the church first began, Peter preached how to obey the gospel. He began by preaching Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. When the people felt conviction and asked what they should do, Peter explained what to do to obey the gospel.

"Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." - Acts 2:37-39

When we have gone to church, heard the preaching of the gospel, repented of our sins, are baptized in Jesus name for the remission of sins, and have received the gift of the Holy Ghost, we are born again.

The next reason we need a preacher is so that we can grow from a born again baby to a spiritual adult in Christ.

The Bible speaks of this as “perfecting”. When we have obeyed the gospel, the Bible speaks of us as “saints”. God gives us pastors, teachers, evangelists, prophets, and apostles to not only preach to us the gospel of Jesus Christ, but also to teach us how to grow in the Word and the Spirit.

"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:" - Ephesians 4:11-12

We need to go to church, not only to hear the gospel, not only to obey the gospel, but to grow up in Jesus!