Jesus > Religion

I'm going to make a bold statement; people choose to not follow God because they don’t like church. This isn’t the case 100% of the time but it may be the case for someone you know and it’s a more common response than you think. I’ve talked to non-believers in my life directly, many of them would say they aren’t a Christian because they tried out church at one point in their life and didn’t like it. They may have generalized one church experience to all churches. I promise, if you don’t like church in general, you haven’t found the right one.
No matter how long it may take you, or how many churches you are a part of until you find your home, it is important to have that community of support around you of fellow believers. We aren’t meant to go at this alone. With that said; the Bible has been rewritten and interpreted so many times. That’s why there are many translations of the Bible (New English Translation, New Living Translation, King James, New King James, Standard American Bible, etc.) and why so many denominations of churches exist. It is worth it to find the right fit for you and your family.
To take a brief look at my church history; I was raised at a moderately conservative non-denominational church in the midwest. When my home life started to crumble, as a family we moved to the most relaxed non-denominational church you could ever imagine. There was a heavy metal rock band to start each service if you get what I’m saying. After my parents separated during my senior year of high school, I started attending a Lutheran church for more structure. I continued to serve there as part of an internship program during my freshman year of Bible college, while occasionally visiting other churches on my weekends off.
While in Bible college, we would have chapels twice a week with pastors from various churches around town preaching. That is where I met my now Pastor and home church family. He spoke about what difference the church makes in the world from Matthew chapter 16; when Jesus says He will build His church on this rock (referring to Peter because the knowledge of who Jesus really was, was revealed to him by God himself). Before going into this story, he talked about taking a laxative pill before a wrestling meet in high school (before he was a Christian) because he didn’t think it would make a difference. It was hilarious and it made me want to come check out their church. A phrase they like to say is “Welcome home,” and I certainly felt that way. I followed their sermons online as I continued out my freshman year serving at the Lutheran church and I loved my time there. It provided structure at a time of my life when I needed it most, but my home church now helps me grow spiritually more than I ever thought a church could. I may be called to serve elsewhere down the road, but I am hoping to stay for as long as God will allow.
My point is, just because you were raised at a certain church, or within a certain denomination doesn’t mean that can’t change throughout your lifetime. As I have grown in my relationship with Christ, my beliefs have changed as well. If you don’t like your current church, or they are not helping you in your walk with Christ, then it’s okay to make that change. On the other hand, no church is perfect. Jesus had 12 disciples but he chose to build his church on ONE, Peter. We need to focus on the organism, not the organization.

Is this church correctly teaching the word of God?
Are they helping you grow in your walk with Christ?
Are there opportunities for you to get involved and to serve others?
Do you enjoy fellowship and trust those around you?

If you or someone you know, chooses to not follow God because they don’t like church or the idea of following a “religion,” I would say find a new church and choose to follow Jesus, not a religion. Jesus says HE is the way and the truth and life, and no one will get to the father except through him (John 14:6). Not through a certain church or religious denomination. Jesus actually came to abolish religion but was put to death by religious Pharisees. The book “not a fan.” by Kyle Idleman is a great book for more on this specific topic!
In Matthew chapter 21, Jesus flips a table in the Temple because people had turned the temple into something that it wasn’t meant to be. This is just one example but all throughout the gospels, you can find examples of when the Pharisees (religious leaders) would test Jesus because they didn’t believe He was the Son of God. They were more worried about following a religion, and the rules associated with it, than following Jesus, the Son of God,  who was right in front of them. You should never love your religion more than you love God.  Jesus will always be greater than religion.
“So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” Ephesians 4:11-13

“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:20

“For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform great signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God’s chosen ones.” Matthew 24:24

“So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock- his church, purchased with his own blood- which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as elders. I know that false teachers, like vicious wolves will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock. Even some men from your own group will rise up and distort the truth in order to draw a following. ” Acts 20:28-30

“Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves.” Matthew 7:15

“Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” Matthew 10: 37-38

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” John 14:5-7

“Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.” Romans 10:17

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”  
“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?
” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be] bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.” Matthew 16:13-20


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