"...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 10:25
I am reminded today sadly of those who make a choice to NOT attend worship because of some perceived grievance or because something else has become a higher priority than the King of the universe. (Now there's a modern definition of idolatry!)
In this verse, our Lord commands us to come together, and that for mutual edification, or building up and encouragement. Okay, okay, I hear you say "but I'm not being encouraged." I find that statement specious at best. Scripture tells us that David, the King of Israel, had to encourage himself when he was in difficulty (1 Samuel 30:6). If you are depending on someone other than the Lord for your source of encouragement, you will be disappointed. Ask me, I've lived through that particular circumstance more than once.
It is no mistake that God has given us four core activities to be involved in that are foundational to growing our relationship with God. Those are contained in Acts 2:42. "They continually devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, TO FELLOWSHIP, to the breaking of bread [worship], and to prayer." Did you notice something? THEY did it TOGETHER. yes, unquestionably they did it by themselves, but the full exercise came to fruition as they practiced this corporately as a gathering of God's people.
Wait, I hear you say - Does that mean I have to go to church? No, I say. You can't "go to church." You ARE the church, the body of Christ when you assemble yourself with others of like precious faith for mutual encouragement. This "assembly" of believers is where real Christian maturity starts. So don't tell me about "your journey" taking you in a different direction. God's plan for all his adopted children (us) is that we grow into the image of His Son Jesus. That means it includes our corporate fellowship together as a body of believers.
Gerry gave his life to Jesus Christ in June of 1985 through the witness of a man who was a member of the Charismatic movement. He first attended a Pentacostal church in his hometown during his final year of high school (1985-1986). After that, he went to university and studied Biology (Entomology/Ecology), graduating with an Honours degree in 1992. During this time, he attended a non-denominational gathering that was much in form like a Brethren assembly, leaving that place in 2004. In 2005, he and his young family began attending a local Baptist church in the city where he lives today. He serves there as the chair of the Christian Education, Missions, and Outreach commission, the coordinator for the Deacons-at-Large, and as the Deacon of the Pastor of the congregation.
His love of the Scriptures began the very night he became a Christian, and has continued to the present day. It is his desire that everyone that comes accross this site would become a careful reader of the Scriptures, even if they disagree with his own opinions about what they say, because he believes that the testimony to Jesus is the spirit of prophecy – and that the main goal of all Christians everywhere should be to follow Jesus to the best of their ability, with a spirit of devotion to the Lord, not just commitment to doctrinal positions. To this end, he has self-published an eBook titled “Practical Discipleship,” available on Amazon.com for the Kindle reader.
