Why I Want to Assemble with the Church
And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 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. Hebrews 10:24, 25
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalm 119: 105
God Wants His Children to Meet Together
There are irreligious people who see no sense in attending places of worship. There are those who say they are very religious who make attendance a matter of convenience rather than a matter of conviction. However, there are many who, out of sincere conviction strive to attend every meeting of the church.
The real issue is, “What does God want me to do in order to be acceptable to him?” The Bible answer to this question is that under both covenants – the Old Testament and the New Testament – God has ordained certain assembly times for His people and He desires that they attend these meetings for His praise and for their good.
Assemblies under Moses’ law
Leviticus Chapter 23 lists some of the solemn assemblies or holy convocations which the Lord required under his law given through Moses these are:
- the weekly Sabbath, 23: 3,
- the Passover, 23: 4, 5
- the Feast of Unleavened Bread, 23: 6-8,
- the Feast of Weeks, 23:15-22,
- the Feast of Trumpets, 23:23-25,
- the Day of Atonement, 23:26-32,
- the Feast of Tabernacles, 23:33-34,
All of God’s commands were for Israel’s good, Deuteronomy 10: 12, 13. One could not be considered faithful and forsake these assemblies. The faithful looked upon these convocations as being holy and as times of joy and gladness, Psalms 122: 1
Assemblies under the Law of Christ
God now speaks to every person in the world through his son, Jesus Christ, Hebrews 1: 2. When God spoke to people through Moses, the people listened reverently. Hebrews 12:18-21. Today, God says to all people, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, Hear Him!” Matthew 17: 5. We, also, are to listen reverently.
The New Testament, Christ’s will, records numerous reasons for the whole church to come together, the admonition of Hebrews 10:25 is clear: “… not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some. ”
We will want to be present when the church meets to:
- eat the Lord’s supper, Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:17ff;
- sing and pray, 1 Corinthians 14:15;
- to give, 1 Corinthians 16:1, 2;
- withdraw from the unrepentant, 1 Corinthians 5;
- be edified, 1 Corinthians 14:19, 26;
- hear reports of work, Acts 14:27
Why do I want to attend these meetings? I want to be an active participant in the things ordained of God!
Personal Blessings Come from Assembling with God’s Children.
Pride is destroyed. When we worship with reverence and awe feelings of pride, self-sufficiency, and arrogance are overcome.
We become better people by centering our minds upon the true God and our Creator. As we praise him our hearts are purified and our spirits are uplifted.
We learn the right ways of the Lord in assemblies where the word of God is read and taught to us. “Through thy precepts I get understanding,” Psalm 119: 104.
We are fortified against the powerful temptations of daily life when we assemble with the Saints and worship as God has taught us. We can think about what was done in the assemblies as we go about our daily duties.
We grow in love for one another as we associate with our brothers and sisters in Christ before and after the assemblies.
Valuable help in preparing for the judgment day is received when we attend all the assemblies of the church.
We are provoked unto love and to good works, Hebrews 10:24, when we assemble with the proper attitude.
Conclusions
It is sinful for God’s children to forsake the assemblies of the church. To assemble with the church is one way of demonstrating our faithfulness to God and we should count it a great blessing to have health sufficient to meet with our brethren for worship.
The most important step that you will ever take is to become a child of God. The word of God is preached to provide you with evidence for believing that God is. You will also learn that “all have sinned” and that if you die without being forgiven you cannot go to heaven. God does not want any to perish, so he sent Jesus to pay the penalty for sin. His blood was shed “for the remission of sins.” The blood becomes effectual to the sinner when he repents of his sins, courageously makes the good confession, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God,” and then is buried in baptism “for the remission of sins.” The words of this paragraph are derived from Romans 10:17; Hebrews 11:6; Romans 3:23; John 8:21, 24; 2 Peter 3:9; 1 Peter 2: 24 Matthew 26:28; Acts 8:37; and Acts 2:38. At the moment you are forgiven of your sins, the Lord adds you to the church. You are now ready to joyfully be present for all of the assemblies of the church.
by Lynn D. Headrick
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Reprinted by permission – T. Keese
