Ok, sorry I am late to the party.
I will be the first to tell you that there are hypocrites in the Church. I deal with them all the time. But let me ask you this. Do you refuse to go to work because you work with a jerk? Do we quit posting on the Bunker when a spammer joins?
As far as forcing someone to go to Church, no, I don't believe in it. It sounds like the person you are speaking of is being forceful. I would simply recommend finding another Church. I agree that God is everywhere and He has given us a beautiful Creation to enjoy and I do find God when spending time in nature. Likewise, we could also say that money is everywhere. It's in the pocket of every person that walks by. But I still got to go to work to draw a paycheck. I also can go find food in nature, but most of the time I get it from the grocery store.
But this is all an opinion or observation. The Word of God is the final authority. Again, I am against forced religion where you are mandated to attend. But the Word of God is the Word of God. So please, do not take my opinion for it.
Hebrews 10
23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised)
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
25
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
For a little but simpler reading, the Good News Version:
Hebrews 10
23 Let us hold on firmly to the hope we profess, because we can trust God to keep his promise.
24 Let us be concerned for one another, to help one another to show love and to do good.
25
Let us not give up the habit of meeting together, as some are doing. Instead, let us encourage one another all the more, since you see that the Day of the Lord is coming nearer.
Jesus taught with stories that He told to the people. I'm going to share a story that I feel tells it better than any I've read. Hope this helps.
Quote:
Where 'Ya Been?
The story is told of a man named John who had once been faithful to attend his church regularly, but had grown lackadaisical recently. The Pastor knew that he hadn't seen the gentleman in a while, so he went for a visit.
John greeted the Pastor and welcomed him in, directing him to the chair beside the fireplace. He asked the Pastor what brought him to visit, but the Pastor didn't say a word... .he simply grabbed the fireplace tongs, picked up a hot coal from the fire, and set it away from the fire, out on the hearth. Both men then watched the coal.
While the fire roared on, the coal which had been red hot began to lose it's heat. It gradually lost it's red color, and then cooled off so that it became cool to the touch. The Pastor picked up the coal, and handed it to John for a moment... neither man said a word.
Then the Pastor reached out and took the coal back from John, and returned it to the roaring fire... and in just a few short moments, the coal once again glowed red hot, as the pile of flaming coals caused it to heat up again.
The Pastor then got to his feet, put his hat on, and shook John's hand. At that point, John looked at the Pastor with tears in his eyes, and told him "Thank you for coming, Pastor, and I'll be back in church this coming Sunday!"
Now some of you reading this aren't able to attend church services on a regular basis due to poor health. But for those who CAN attend services, but don't for one reason or another, consider this: Do you need to re-examine your reasons for not going? If it's hypocrites, yes the church is filled with them - do you also stay away from your workplace because of hypocrites there? Do you tell yourself that you can worship God just as well camping, or golfing, or on the lake, as you can in church? If so, you aren't fooling anyone but yourself - and definitely Not God!
If you feel that God's Word isn't being preached in truth, then find a church where it IS - church isn't a cure-all for all of our problems, but it IS a place that you can be surrounded by those who will listen, and those who will pray for you... and you will hear Bible teaching there that you will not hear on the lake!
So again I ask you - what's your excuse? I pray that as you examine this area of your life, that God would move in your heart and give you an intense desire to return to the sanctuary of the church - and that you can once again find the joy of worshipping God with other believers!
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