The gathering together of God's people in a public assembly is one of the closest things to heaven that we can experience on this earth. There is nothing in this world quite so sweet and precious as a band of believers gathering together to worship Jesus, study God's Word, share burdens, pray for one another, make decisions of faith and declare the gospel. The longer I live, the more important and significant the gathering of the church becomes to me.
Because of this, it truly astounds me how anyone would want to miss this special gathering of the church. As a pastor, it absolutely confounds me to see people who claim to be struggling continue to find reasons not to come to the exact place where they could get the encouragement and help they need for what they are facing. Certainly, going to church does not make one better than anyone else, yet the public assembly of the church is something that God has commanded His people to "not forsake" for a reason. (Hebrews 10:25)
In the following words, I want to share with you some of the reasons why the gathering of the church is so significant. These are reasons that ought to compel you to not want to miss a single gathering at your local church. It will take me several blog posts to convey what God has put on my heart about this matter.
Consider with me what you miss when you miss church.
The Message from God's Word
This is, without question, the most significant thing you miss out on when you miss church. Every week, a God-called preacher prays, seeks the Lord and diligently prepares to deliver a message strait from God's Word. The Spirit of God uses the ministry of preaching to communicate God's Word into your life in a specific and relavant way. (1 Corinthians 2:1-16) After all, the Bible is "quick (alive) and powerful" and it "is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of [your] heart." (Hebrews 4:12) Regardless of whether or not you feel you need the message, God is able to take His Word and speak into your life in a powerfully transformative way.
This is why the Bible tells us, "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God." (1 Corinthians 1:18) This is also why God compels preachers to "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine." (2 Timothy 4:2) God knows that His Word has the power to help people grow in their spiritual walk like nothing else, so He desires that His people give a high priority to receiving God's Word. (1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:16-17)
When you miss church you miss out on hearing the very thing God wanted you to hear for your life this week. That very thing you think you need counsel on today, you likely missed hearing when you decided to skip out on church last Sunday. That word of hope you needed in the midst of your trial, you missed out on hearing when you decided to stay in bed on Sunday.
The Fellowship with God's People
One of my favorite aspects of the weekly gatherings of the church is the time that we enjoy together. There is no other context on this side of eternity where people from so many different walks of life, backgrounds and cultures can come together in unity to enjoy time together. The thing that brings us all together is Jesus. We may have nothing else in common but our faith in Christ, but it is our faith in Christ that binds us together with in inseparably precious bond.
The Greek word most used to describe fellowship in the New Testament is koinonia. While there is no exact English translation of this word, it is most closely associated with a covenant fellowship. It speaks of association, of join participation and of a level of community that involves a deep, close-knit participation among its people.
This past week, we enjoyed this degree of koinonia fellowship as we spent every evening together as a church serving our community during our Vacation Bible School. We shared life together. We served together. We laughed together. We struggled together. We wore ourselves out together seeing souls saved and lives transformed through God's Word. The best part about all this is that we did it all together.
When you miss church you miss out on such opportunities to share in community with brothers and sisters in Christ. You miss out on the opportunity to be encouraged and to be an encouragement to others. You won't find this level of community on the golf course, on a bass boat or in any other context. It is a fellowship only possible to those who share a common faith in Christ and a united commitment to His commission for us as believers.
Let's Get To the Point
The point in all this is simple: Don't miss church. Aside from the fact that our Lord Jesus (who loved the church so much that He gave His life for it) has commanded us to not forsake the assembly, there are so many other scriptural reasons to be in church every time the doors are open. Let us heed the admonition of Scripture, "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 10:25)
By the way, online church is not a valid option to forsake the assembly. Now, I understand that due to sickness or the legitimate physical limitations of some this may be the only option. But for the vast majority of believers, this is not the case. Listen to me, my friend, you need to get yourself out of your home and get back to church on a regular basis. Out of honor to the Lord, for the love for your brethren, out of compassion for the lost and for your own sake, don't miss church.
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