Assembling for Worship
—Some Questions
Another lesson presenting Bible teaching with hard sayings that people may find difficult to hear. However, the truth still needs to be believed and taught. This lesson is about church attendance.
Assembling Together
24"And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25not 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. 26For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries." (Hebrews 10:24-27 NKJV).
1 Should We Join the Meeting?
Some people say that you don't have to go to church to be a good Christian but that's not what Hebrews 10:25 (above) says is it? In the first church of Christ in Jerusalem the disciples all gathered often to worship together (Acts 2:40-43.)
2 Whom Are We to Please?
The Corinthian Christians were meeting as a congregation, but their worship was a mess. They were not partaking of the Lord’s Supper, but had replaced it with their own version. Paul criticised them for worshipping as they pleased, rather than following the Lord’s instruction which Paul had delivered to them.
3 When is Meeting Day?
On the First Day of the Week the Christians at Troas gathered, setting us an example. We meet every first day, to remember our Lord Jesus, and to hear his word. We also sing hymns and pray. Paul met his companions at Troas, and they delayed their travel till came the first day of the week, when they gathered with the disciples to share the Lord's Supper (Acts 20:6-7).
4 Should There Be an Offering?
As well as instructing the Corinthians on how to observe the Lord’s Supper (1Corinthians 11), he also instructs them on how to collect the offering (1Corinthians 16). These two acts of worship were included when the congregation was assembled on the first day of each week. Some say this giving is not an act of worship, however Paul described a church’s giving as "a sweet smelling aroma, and acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God" (Philippians 4:18).
5 Devoted or Lukewarm?
The very first converts to Christianity were those who obeyed the gospel in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost after the resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ. These baptised believers were devoted church attenders, participating in the various acts of worship.
Jesus does not tolerate minimal devotion. If you aren't spiritually hot, you are put outside of Christ with those who are cold. "Because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth" (Revelation 3:16 NKJV).. Jesus said "...the love of many shall wax cold" (Matthew 24:12). As that love becomes less zealous, Jesus rejects it as lukewarmness on the way to cold.
6 What of Tiny Churches?
When we gather together in unity, even if we are only two or three, Jesus our intercessor is with us. "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them" (Matthew 18:20). This is an amazing promise and should make us passionate about the assembling of ourselves together .