Coming together to worship....

Hebrews 10:25 “… not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching”.   Those words were not meant for pagans or non-believers, but for Christians, just like you and me, who thought they could do without joining together with other Christians for fellowship and prayer.

Around the world this Sunday, only the following % of Christians go to church:

7% in Russia

13% in Europe

17% in Australia

20% in Canada

36% in the USA

80%+ in Africa!

Why aren’t we attending church regularly, especially in the USA and Europe?   Christians, at a large Protestant church, were asked this question, and here were their answers:

The church is full of hypocrites.

I’m against organized religion.

Church people hate women/gays/divorced people/ethnic groups/interracial couples

Church people are so judgmental.

I’m just not being fed

Ten years ago, someone at some church somewhere was really awful to me. 

I feel like I need to get right with God before I can come to church

Churches just want my money

I’m just too tired.

You have probably heard better reasons, but would you really stand before God and make any excuse for not assembling together to worship Him on a weekly basis  We all have family challenges, we’re all tired from a week at work, there are 101 other things we could do, there’s a big game being played today, somebody “hurt our feelings”  etc..

Some folks would tell you that it’s not necessary to go to church to worship God—-you can worship God in the golf course.   But have you ever seen people worshipping God on the golf course?

So if you’re already a Believer, why is “assembling”, or coming to a place of prayer and worship with other believers, so important?  We’re told:  “not forgetting to assemble…much more so as you see the Day approaching.” The “Day” is the day of Jesus’ return. We are to apply this verse even more so as His return draws near.  He’s coming back—-ready or not. We need to remind each other of this when we are tempted, all week long.  This could be the church’s last week—-or your last week!

Let me suggest two things that are happening right now that should serve as enough reason to come together at least once a week:

First, it is critical that we not forsake assembling together as we move further into our last days, or the “last days”, so that we are strengthened and protected.  I am not a doomsday prophet or a pessimist, but surely we can all agree that our world is moving farther from God and any sense of righteousness. We see madness as politicians argue about the value of human life, the merits of honesty, and the need for hard work to fully develop as the human race!  By coming together, we are reminded and encouraged to put into practice the truth we’ve received from God and ignore the lunacy that’s being pushed down our throats on TV and the radio.

The second reason is that there will be evil spiritual forces released as the end approaches. If you are a student of the Bible, you’ll note that when God begins to move in history, the forces of hell are unleashed.  When Jesus was born, the battle became hot and was evidenced by demonic possession as never seen before, all-out attempts to stop God’s work from going forward to place, and attacks of not only the forces of hell but an entire empire  (Rome) bent on stamping out Christianity.  Sexual perversion became the accepted norm even in the early church at Corinth!  It took the power of the Holy Spirit and the faithfulness of the apostles praying to keep things straight and the focus upon Jesus Christ.  Quite possibly, the biggest reason we are not to forsake assembling is for divine protection from the madness all around us. We need each other!

The Bible tells us to be vigilant, because the adversary walks about like a lion, seeking to devour. What does a lion do when he is seeking someone to devour? He looks for the prey in isolation. The Word gives us a warning—do not forsake assembling because the enemy seeks to devour those who are in isolation. 

When we’re told not to forsake assembling, the Greek word used for assembling is “episynagoge,” which means an official meeting—not just meeting at Starbucks to talk.  The assembly should include worship, praying, reading, teaching, hearing, and studying the Word. 

We need this at least once a week!

Coming together fuels our spiritual cells and allows us to be empowered by God to live in real life.   We come together on Sundays as the visible Body of Christ—we are to be living proof of a loving God to those around us who are unsure.  Hebrews 10:24 says, “… consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,” and verse 25 mentions “exhorting one another”.

The idea the author is suggesting is “stirring one another up to love one another better!” Isn’t that a great reason to come to church?  And for those of us who are faithful and are coming every Sunday, are we known to do that? We’re supposed to intentionally love those who aren’t always lovable. We are to encourage them to grow in their faith journey and “work out our salvation.”   As Philippians 2:12-13 says, encouraging them to water the gift of salvation from within to fruition.

We’re required to be about the task of “exhorting one another”, which means to strongly encourage. In Hebrews, we’re commanded to“exhort one another daily, while it is called ‘Today,’ lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin” (Hebrews 3:13). Again, we can see how assembling is God’s instruction for divine protection. When we isolate and don’t strongly encourage each other in our faith journey, our hearts are at risk of hardening. 

In short, the Holy Spirit informs the Church–do not forsake assembling together–so they are empowered to BE THE CHURCH. 

Someone once said that there are true dangers to be mentioned about NOT attending church on Sundays:

1. Discouragement, Doubt, and Depression Set In: Forsaking fellowship gives place to discouragement, doubt, and depression. They multiply in isolation. When there is no fellowship, there is no stirring up love or exhorting one another.   “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up. Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one be warm alone? Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”—Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

2. Purposes Are Missed: The story of Esther in the Bible is a perfect example of purposes not missed. Mordecai, her adopted father, stirred her up in love for her fellow Jews and exhorted her to see she was placed in her position for a purpose, for “such a time as this.” Had there been no prayer, fellowship, or communication, even through letters and messages passed back and forth by those around them, Esther would have missed her purpose. Mordecai reminded her that God’s plans would prevail, even if she didn’t step up. God’s plans will move forward, but the opportunity for personal involvement may be missed.  “For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”—Esther 4:14

3 The Power of Prayer Is Hindered. Personal prayer is absolutely critical in our relationship with Jesus, but the Bible is clear that there is incredible power in corporate prayer, gathering in one accord. When we come alongside each other in prayer, it is like incense going up to God out of the angel’s hand. Revelation 8:4 says prayers “ascend up to God.” Time and time again, the apostles came together and prayed, fasted, and held night vigils- and things happened!  Yes, God could have done the miracles of opening prison doors and sending angels without prayer, but we are told to pray together for miraculous happenings—— and OUR faith is emboldened!

I have seen God answer my prayers in wonderful and unexpected ways. He has amazed me and at times perplexed me. Sometimes He has told me “no,” sometimes, “not now.” But lately, I have come to understand the need to depend upon others for prayer.

This does not come easily for me. I would rather handle my personal matters and concerns of my ministry with the strength of my relationship with God and not lean on or depend upon others. But it appears that’s not what God intends for me—and for any one of us that is a part of the “family.”

More and more, I am discovering not only the strength but also the efficacy of corporate prayer. At times, I have been burdened by some needs at the camp, and whereas some folks tell me that they are “praying for me,” there are a few whom I trust to pray for me. I have asked those trusted few to pray about some important matters because my prayers seemed to be going nowhere. I have been humbled in seeing immediate answers to my prayers when people of faith intercede on my behalf.

I have also noted the reciprocal effect. People come to me with personal needs and I stop what I am doing and concentrate on their need, intercede on their behalf and things happen—much faster than when I pray for my own needs.

Obviously God wants me to depend upon Him—but also reach out to others when it comes to my personal struggles, my challenges in ministry and concerning unanswered prayers in general.

Perhaps you are also perplexed about why your prayers are not being answered.  I challenge you to ask someone you know who has an intimate relationship with Christ to personally and emphatically intercede for you. Miracles will follow.

But let me close in warning you that there is a real danger of expecting others to pray for you, but you’re too busy and tasked to pray for others!

Friends, your family cannot save your soul or provide for you the direction, protection, and provisions that God can. You dishonor your children and spouse by suggesting that you cannot come to church because of them, and you establish a horrible example for them in the future.  Where is your first love?!  Too often, we transfer our egos onto our children or use them as excuses for failing to be faithful to God. Choose this day which god you will serve….the god of your whims, hobbies, attentions, work, relatives, and personal attachments, or God Almighty. As for me, we will serve God Almighty…