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Gathering Together


RETIREDFAN1

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Gathering Together

 

When we talk about worshiping God, one major part of that worship is our gathering together collectively with other saints. Here is David’s attitude about gathering with other children of God. 

Psalm 122:1

 

Is this your attitude, or do you feel like somebody dragged you here? To worship God in the manner He has shown us requires us to assemble with fellow Christians.

Hebrews 10:19-27

 

In this passage, the writer of Hebrews discusses the conversion of a man.  Jesus consecrated a new and living way through His sacrifice on the cross. As a result, we can boldly enter the holy place, which is the church. What is this new and living way?

 

The Hebrew writer says for us to draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith. So faith is a part of this new and living way. 

 

The writer of Hebrews also says having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience. This is repentance. So repentance is a part of this new and living way. 


 

We also read about holding fast the confession of our hope that it will not waver. This is confession and living faithfully unto death. So confession and faithful obedience unto death is a part of this new and living way. 

 

The writer also says having our bodies washed with pure water. This is baptism. So baptism is part of this new and living way. 

 

He writes that we are to be provoking one another unto love and good works. This is admonition. So admonition is part of this new and living way. 

 

Finally, the writer says we are to not forsake our own assembling together. This is the assembly. So gathering together is a part of this new and living way. 

 

When we know this, and fail to live this way, it puts us in the category of having committed a willful sin. That’s when you know what you should do, but choose to do otherwise. When the saints gather collectively and you choose to do something else fits this category. 



 

Now I’m not talking about missing services because you were sick, but you must ask yourself this: would I miss something worldly if I felt this way, or would I still go and do it? If you would still do it, though feeling ill, then you can still make it to the gathering of the saints to worship. 

 

I’m not talking about missing because you had to stay home with a sick child, but then would you take that child to the grocery store? 

 

Sometimes your job gives you no option but to miss some services, but is it possible to trade with others or find another job that doesn’t interfere with your duty to God? 

 

Anyway, today we are discussing those who, as a matter of choice or preference, are absent from the assembly.

 

What does it mean to choose not to attend?

 

Making this choice demonstrates one’s contempt for spiritual things. When you decide not to attend, is it because of spiritual reasons or worldly reasons?

Romans 8:5-9



 

If missing a gathering of saints is due to worldly reasons, what do you think will be the result?

Galatians 6:7-8 

 

Willfully missing means you chose not to do something that you know is good for you.

James 4:17

 

Willfully missing the gathering of the saints means choosing not to give or receive encouragement. It is difficult to encourage others to live better if we only see each other infrequently.

Hebrews 10:24-25

 

Worship is not just for God, but it benefits the worshipers

 I Corinthians 14:26

 

Willfully missing the gathering of the saints means choosing to violate a direct command.

Hebrews 10:25

 

Remember the definition of sin.

1 John 3:4



 

Would it be wrong to miss a 1000 services? How about 100? How about 10? When does something become wrong? In the number of times it is done or in the action that is chosen?

 

Is murder wrong because of the number of times someone kills or is it the action?

 

Is stealing wrong because of the number of times someone steals or is it the action?

 

Some sins are done out of ignorance, through a weakness in our spirit, or unintentionally, but how many of you at times made plans knowing you would not be able to attend services?

 

A Christian does not live a sinless life, but he should not be actively planning to violate a command of God.

 

Willfully choosing to miss the gathering of the saints means choosing to be ignorant of God’s ways. Israel of old was destroyed because of a lack of knowledge.

Hosea 4:6

 

They sought to establish their own righteousness.

Romans 10:3


 

Our knowledge must grow.

II Peter 1:5

II Peter 3:18

 

How much would you learn if you didn’t come? We have our kids schooled because we understand that on their own, most children will find something more important to them that they’d rather do than to learn. When people decide not to attend, the things they learn rapidly diminishes because they find other things to do than to learn about God’s ways.

 

Willfully choosing to skip the gathering of the saints means choosing to set a bad example.  How many of your neighbors, friends, family, or spouse will be led to God as they observe your indifference to worship? Show yourself to be an example.

I Timothy 4:12

 

Let your light shine.

Matthew 5:13-16

 

Willfully choosing to miss the gathering of the saints means choosing to discourage the faithful. Maybe you think the faithful never get discouraged, but you’re wrong. Paul took heart and was encouraged when he saw others willing to meet with him.

Acts 28:15 

 

What if everyone decided to attend services as often as you? Would the church grow and prosper or would it wither and die from a lack of interest? If one member can choose to attend or not to attend, then two can. If two can then ten can. If ten can, then all can. You see, your choice is to either set the pace or drag the rest down. Attendance is important.

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