Not Forsaking To Assemble Together

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.  –Hebrews 10:23-25 (NASB)

You may engage in many other profitable spiritual disciplines, yet fail to heed the words of this text. While it is good to read devotionals, listen to podcasts, meet for Bible studies, even devour the great works of theology, these should not and cannot replace being a member of a local church and gathering together for corporate worship each week. As a matter of fact, the top priority in a Christian’s life should be to come before the throne of God each Lord’s Day in response to His most gracious and clear call to do so. Failure in this area is a dangerous matter.

There are four stern warnings in the book of Hebrews given to those who profess faith. All deal with the very real possibility of apostasy— professing saving faith, but having abandoned the faith which, though professed, was not possessed. The third of these four warnings follows immediately after and flows from this text (see 10:26-31). This forsaking to assemble together was a problem at the time Hebrews was written, and most certainly is in our day. Many have developed this nasty habit and it needs to be broken.

It is Christ’s Church and weekly worship in particular that God uses to bring His people to maturity and knowledge of the faith. You need to sit under the Word of God authoritatively and accurately preached by men called of the Lord. You need to participate in and witness the administration of the sacraments. You need to sing unto the Lord with joyful vigor, to enter His gates with thanksgiving in your heart and enter His courts with praise. You need to obey King Jesus in this vitally important area of the Christian life.

Listen to the wise words of these godly men. “True worship is the highest and noblest activity of which man, by the grace of God, is capable” (James M. Boice). “Of all the activities of the church, only one is an end in itself: worship” (John Piper). Don Kistler writes: “Scripture clearly teaches that the worship of God is the most noble act of which the regenerate man is capable. It is the ultimate priority for the Christian. We are to worship God because He deserves it and because He demands it. If the worship of God is the most noble act of which man is capable, then it stands to reason that great preparation ought to go into it. It is surely a sign of low esteem for the worship of God that we spend so little, if any, time preparing for it.”

Wow! What could be said about spending so little, if any, time engaging in it? Let’s allow God to answer that question: For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a terrifying expectation of judgment and THE FURY OF A FIRE WHICH WILL CONSUME THE ADVERSARIES (Heb. 10:26-27).

For the glory of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the good of Christ’s body, the benefit of your family, and the well-being of your own soul, be joined to a Bible preaching and practicing church and gather for worship each Lord’s Day.