““NOT FORSAKING THE NOT FORSAKING THE ASSEMBLING OF ASSEMBLING OF

OURSELVES TOGETHER”OURSELVES TOGETHER”

Hebrews 10:24, 25Hebrews 10:24, 25

This subject merits very careful This subject merits very careful study. Maybe we need to restudy it, study. Maybe we need to restudy it, reexamine our attitude and our reexamine our attitude and our thinking about it.thinking about it.

We claim to be the true NT church, We claim to be the true NT church, the only church and condemn the the only church and condemn the unscriptural way that others worship unscriptural way that others worship God. God.

But how “Scriptural” are we when But how “Scriptural” are we when we fail to attend services? Rom. we fail to attend services? Rom. 2:21, “You teach another, do you 2:21, “You teach another, do you not teach yourself?”not teach yourself?”

It is obvious that some members It is obvious that some members simply do not think that attending simply do not think that attending all the services of church is all the services of church is necessary. necessary.

It’s just not all that important to It’s just not all that important to them. More of a convenience thing.them. More of a convenience thing.

So I’ll need to preach this same So I’ll need to preach this same sermon two or three times so that all sermon two or three times so that all the members can hear it!the members can hear it!

The exhortation of Heb. 10:24, 25 The exhortation of Heb. 10:24, 25 is in a letter that has several is in a letter that has several warnings about the danger of warnings about the danger of apostasy. apostasy.

Heb. 2:1,3, “take heed … lest we Heb. 2:1,3, “take heed … lest we drift…how escape if we neglect …?” drift…how escape if we neglect …?”

Heb. 4:4 “let us fear”; Heb. 4:4 “let us fear”; Heb. 6:4-6, “fall away … Heb. 6:4-6, “fall away …

impossible to renew them again to impossible to renew them again to repentance…”repentance…”

Heb. 10:24, 25, “Heb. 10:24, 25, “  And let us And let us consider one another in order to stir consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, … (How do up love and good works, … (How do we do this?)we do this?)

25 25 not forsaking the assembling of not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as ourselves together, as isis the manner the manner of some, but exhorting of some, but exhorting one another, one another, and so much the more as you see and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”the Day approaching.”

II. Worshipping God is the principal II. Worshipping God is the principal purpose of the church.purpose of the church.

Eph. 3:21, “to Him be the glory in Eph. 3:21, “to Him be the glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. generations, forever and ever. Amén.”Amén.”

Ekklesía = “assembly,” also Ekklesía = “assembly,” also translated “church.” Same word. translated “church.” Same word. Vine’s Dict. – For CHURCH see Vine’s Dict. – For CHURCH see ASSEMBLY. ASSEMBLY.

Local church does not exist Local church does not exist without assemblies! The assembly is without assemblies! The assembly is the the channel of lifechannel of life..

If we don’t enjoy worshipping God now, If we don’t enjoy worshipping God now, why talk about going to Heaven?why talk about going to Heaven?

Revelation makes it plain that worship Revelation makes it plain that worship will be our principal activity in heaven.will be our principal activity in heaven.

Col. 3:16, “Let the word of Christ dwell Col. 3:16, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

III. What is a “local church”? Not just III. What is a “local church”? Not just a group of Christians.a group of Christians.

A specific body (1 Cor. 12:27, “you A specific body (1 Cor. 12:27, “you are the body of Christ”).are the body of Christ”).

A specific flock (Acts 20:28, “the A specific flock (Acts 20:28, “the flock” at Ephesus).flock” at Ephesus).

Christians who Christians who agreeagree to join to join themselves together to form a themselves together to form a specific groupspecific group to worship together to worship together and carry out the other functions and carry out the other functions taught by the Holy Spirit:taught by the Holy Spirit:

Edification, evangelism, Edification, evangelism, benevolence.benevolence.

This means that every member accepts This means that every member accepts the order of worship and Bible classes the order of worship and Bible classes that has been established (1 Cor. that has been established (1 Cor. 14:40) and 14:40) and should make arrangementsshould make arrangements to attend all the services and classes to attend all the services and classes faithfully. faithfully.

Every member is Every member is committed committed to be to be responsible as a functioning member. responsible as a functioning member. Great blessing with responsibilities.Great blessing with responsibilities.

If someone says, “Well, I didn’t agree If someone says, “Well, I didn’t agree to attend all the services.” to attend all the services.”

ARE WE ARE WE MEMBERS MEMBERS OR JUST OR JUST VISITORSVISITORS??

The church should grow spiritually The church should grow spiritually and numerically. Should appoint and numerically. Should appoint elders and deacons. elders and deacons.

Do you wonder why we aren’t Do you wonder why we aren’t converting more people? Why we converting more people? Why we don’t appoint elders? don’t appoint elders?

Look at the attendance. It indicates Look at the attendance. It indicates a general weakness of the church.a general weakness of the church.

Every member should “purpose in Every member should “purpose in his heart” (2 Cor. 9:7) to attend all his heart” (2 Cor. 9:7) to attend all the services.the services.

If we should “purpose” to give, we If we should “purpose” to give, we should certainly “purpose” to attend should certainly “purpose” to attend in order to give (plus other acts of in order to give (plus other acts of worship).worship).

If we don’t purpose to do it, we If we don’t purpose to do it, we won’t!won’t! (Compare going to work each (Compare going to work each day).day).

And do it “Cheerfully” – not And do it “Cheerfully” – not grudgingly, not of necessity.grudgingly, not of necessity.

IV. What does it indicate when we IV. What does it indicate when we don’t make arrangements to attend don’t make arrangements to attend faithfully?faithfully?

Matt. 22:37, Do not love God with all Matt. 22:37, Do not love God with all our heart, soul, mind, strength. our heart, soul, mind, strength.

Don’t we want to Don’t we want to be withbe with Christ? Mt. Christ? Mt. 18:20. “Oh, how I love Jesus.” 18:20. “Oh, how I love Jesus.” Really? Really?

Don’t we want to be with the ones Don’t we want to be with the ones we love? 1 Jn. 4:20.we love? 1 Jn. 4:20.

If we loved our spouses the way we If we loved our spouses the way we love God and the church, how many love God and the church, how many of our marriages would last?of our marriages would last?

Indicates that we are not really Indicates that we are not really interested in interested in edificationedification, our own or , our own or that of our brethren. that of our brethren.

Check the many texts that talk Check the many texts that talk about the edification of the body, about the edification of the body, the church.the church.

Preachers/teachers come well Preachers/teachers come well prepared, but they can only help prepared, but they can only help those who attend.those who attend.

We’re inconsiderate of our We’re inconsiderate of our brethren. Heb. 10:24, “And let us brethren. Heb. 10:24, “And let us considerconsider one another in order to stir one another in order to stir up love and good works…” How up love and good works…” How show consideration?show consideration?

V. 25, not forsaking the assembling V. 25, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together …”of ourselves together …”

Our absence discourages our Our absence discourages our brethren.brethren.

1 Sam. 20:18, “You will be missed, 1 Sam. 20:18, “You will be missed, because your seat will be empty.”because your seat will be empty.”

Indicates that we are like Laodicea, Indicates that we are like Laodicea, lukewarm and not “fervent in spirit.”lukewarm and not “fervent in spirit.”

Indicates that we are ungrateful to Indicates that we are ungrateful to God for all His blessings, ungrateful God for all His blessings, ungrateful to Christ who suffered so much for to Christ who suffered so much for us. us.

Indicates that we’re like Israelites Indicates that we’re like Israelites who offered to God the “blind, the who offered to God the “blind, the lame and the sick” (Mal. 1:8). We lame and the sick” (Mal. 1:8). We give Him “leftovers.”give Him “leftovers.”

We set a We set a bad examplebad example for our own for our own children (Eph. 6:4), for new children (Eph. 6:4), for new members, for weak members, for members, for weak members, for visitors. visitors.

We are a stumbling block to We are a stumbling block to others. Matt. 18:6, “Whoever causes others. Matt. 18:6, “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.”the depth of the sea.”

Finally, it indicates that we don’t Finally, it indicates that we don’t really believe Jesus when He says really believe Jesus when He says “where two or three are gathered “where two or three are gathered together in my Name I am there in together in my Name I am there in the midst of them.” (Matt.18:20).the midst of them.” (Matt.18:20).

VI. What exactly does Matt. 6:33 VI. What exactly does Matt. 6:33 mean?mean?

“ “Seek first the kingdom.” If it Seek first the kingdom.” If it doesn’t mean “put the LORD and the doesn’t mean “put the LORD and the CHURCH first,” what does it mean?CHURCH first,” what does it mean?

We need to study this verse. It We need to study this verse. It needs more attention and more needs more attention and more emphasis.emphasis.

If it doesn’t mean that everything If it doesn’t mean that everything else should be kept in SECOND else should be kept in SECOND place, what does it mean? place, what does it mean?

We consent to this in We consent to this in wordword but do but do we consent to it in we consent to it in practicepractice??

Will God accept “IF” service? Will God accept “IF” service? We will attend services IF we don’t We will attend services IF we don’t

have to work? IF we’re not “too have to work? IF we’re not “too tired”? IF we don’t “feel bad”? tired”? IF we don’t “feel bad”?

Incidentally, does “feel bad” mean Incidentally, does “feel bad” mean feel too bad to go to work, feel too feel too bad to go to work, feel too bad to go to the mall or grocery bad to go to the mall or grocery store, or to go visit family or friends store, or to go visit family or friends – –

or just “feel too bad to attend or just “feel too bad to attend services”?services”?

And, of course, a big one is “IF we And, of course, a big one is “IF we don’t “travel”? don’t “travel”?

What does “travelling” say about What does “travelling” say about your sense of responsibility to your your sense of responsibility to your member-ship in this church?member-ship in this church?

Responsibility to God, other Responsibility to God, other members, new/weak members, members, new/weak members, visitors?visitors?

What about your part in the service What about your part in the service as teachers, song leaders? (FIND as teachers, song leaders? (FIND SUBS). SUBS).

What about the continuity of the What about the continuity of the Bible classes for yourself and your Bible classes for yourself and your children?children?

In a word, what about your In a word, what about your commit-commit-mentment to to thisthis church? “Oh I attend church? “Oh I attend some-where.” Are you a some-where.” Are you a membermember there? there?

Even more important, what about the Even more important, what about the people you are people you are inviting and teachinginviting and teaching? ?

If they accept your invitation and If they accept your invitation and come, but then you are not here to come, but then you are not here to receive them? “Where’s bro. X?” receive them? “Where’s bro. X?” “Travelling!”“Travelling!”

Do I hear someone say, “Well, that’s Do I hear someone say, “Well, that’s no problem because I don’t invite or no problem because I don’t invite or teach anyone”? (Attendance not only teach anyone”? (Attendance not only problem)problem)

VII. Each week God gives us 168 VII. Each week God gives us 168 hours. hours.

We can’t worship Him for two hours We can’t worship Him for two hours (Sun.) and 15 minutes (Wed.) and (Sun.) and 15 minutes (Wed.) and have Bible study for an hour and a have Bible study for an hour and a half? Less than 3% our time (.0238%)?half? Less than 3% our time (.0238%)?

And some members don’t even give And some members don’t even give Him that much worship service? Him that much worship service?

Mal. 3:8, “Will a man rob God?” Mal. 3:8, “Will a man rob God?” Contribution is not only thing. How Contribution is not only thing. How about TIME? about TIME?

Which is more important? $ or Which is more important? $ or presencepresence??

Lk. 14:18, 19, Can’t attend, bought a Lk. 14:18, 19, Can’t attend, bought a piece of land, five yoke of oxen, and piece of land, five yoke of oxen, and the very best excuse: I’ve married a the very best excuse: I’ve married a wife and can’t come.wife and can’t come.

Just like the slaves of the first Just like the slaves of the first century. Today employers are virtual century. Today employers are virtual slave ownersslave owners. .

Might as well put their brand on Might as well put their brand on their employees, they OWN them their employees, they OWN them body, soul!body, soul!

“ “Yes, but there are certain things Yes, but there are certain things we have to do on Sunday and Wed. we have to do on Sunday and Wed. p.m.”p.m.”

Absolutely, but who decides this?Absolutely, but who decides this?1 Cor. 6:19; Rom. 6:18, slaves do not 1 Cor. 6:19; Rom. 6:18, slaves do not

have a will of their own!have a will of their own!This was decided when you obeyed This was decided when you obeyed

the gospel.the gospel.This was decided when you became This was decided when you became

a member of this congregation.a member of this congregation.

““Don’t you know that in this modern Don’t you know that in this modern world everything operates 24/7?”world everything operates 24/7?”

““Not available!” Sun. 10-12, 5:30-6:30, Not available!” Sun. 10-12, 5:30-6:30, Wed. 7-8… have “prior commitment” Wed. 7-8… have “prior commitment” with God! … He comes with God! … He comes firstfirst 24/7. 24/7.

Afraid to displease men? Heb. 10:24-31. Afraid to displease men? Heb. 10:24-31. What about What about personnel of hospitals, personnel of hospitals,

doctors, nurses, police, firemen, doctors, nurses, police, firemen, industrial plants, malls, etc.? industrial plants, malls, etc.? Can they Can they be saved?be saved?

Are we saying that Are we saying that somesome Christians Christians should worship but that should worship but that otherother Christians are EXEMPT FROM Christians are EXEMPT FROM WORSHIP because our modern world WORSHIP because our modern world operates 24/7?operates 24/7?

Did Christ make exceptions? Did He Did Christ make exceptions? Did He say, “Seek ye first the kingdom say, “Seek ye first the kingdom unless you are on call 24/7”? You unless you are on call 24/7”? You know where that Scripture is? It’s know where that Scripture is? It’s found in Jude chapter 2.found in Jude chapter 2.

Is this modern 24/7 world seeking Is this modern 24/7 world seeking first the kingdom? Matt. 6:33. first the kingdom? Matt. 6:33.

Do employers care if we go to hell?Do employers care if we go to hell?

What about Sunday worship? Is it What about Sunday worship? Is it just so we can partake of Lord’s just so we can partake of Lord’s Supper? As if it were a “sacramant”?Supper? As if it were a “sacramant”?

Is that what it really boils down to?Is that what it really boils down to?30 minute service, Sun. 7:00 – 7:30?30 minute service, Sun. 7:00 – 7:30?Real short sermon, no Bible classes?Real short sermon, no Bible classes?Would it be Scriptural? Acceptable?Would it be Scriptural? Acceptable?If not, why not? Use Scripture.If not, why not? Use Scripture.What about “drive by” Lord’s What about “drive by” Lord’s

Supper?Supper?

““Just so we come to one service”?Just so we come to one service”?Members that normally attend only Members that normally attend only

one service frequently fail to attend one service frequently fail to attend even ONE service!even ONE service!

If it’s all right to not attend If it’s all right to not attend oneone Sunday, it’s all right for four or five Sunday, it’s all right for four or five Sundays.Sundays.

If one can, If one can, all canall can. Just dismiss . Just dismiss services.services.

Mal. 1:10, Just shut the doors!Mal. 1:10, Just shut the doors!

““You don’t understand. We You don’t understand. We have have to.”to.”We We havehave to give God “left-overs”? to give God “left-overs”?We We havehave to put God 2nd? “on hold”? to put God 2nd? “on hold”?Luke 14:28 – count cost of Luke 14:28 – count cost of

discipleshipdiscipleship “ “Oh, but we have to be reasonable.”Oh, but we have to be reasonable.”Was Jesus reasonable? Matt. 5:29, Was Jesus reasonable? Matt. 5:29,

30.30.

“ “If your right eye (or right hand) If your right eye (or right hand) causes you to sin, pluck it out (cut it causes you to sin, pluck it out (cut it off) and cast it from you; off) and cast it from you;

for it is more profitable for you that for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into for your whole body to be cast into hell.” hell.”

He refers to the dearest, most He refers to the dearest, most important thing(s) in your life! Give important thing(s) in your life! Give it up in order to go to heaven and it up in order to go to heaven and stay out of hell.stay out of hell.

What would you tell a couple who What would you tell a couple who admittedly are living in adultery and admittedly are living in adultery and maybe even have children? maybe even have children?

Separation of this couple would be Separation of this couple would be the most painful thing under the the most painful thing under the sun, but what would you tell them? sun, but what would you tell them? … …

Luke 14:28-33, Jesus plainly tells us Luke 14:28-33, Jesus plainly tells us to COUNT THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP. to COUNT THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP.

V. 33, “whoever of you does not V. 33, “whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.” disciple.”

He never said it was easy or cheap. He never said it was easy or cheap. He didn’t cloak the cross, nor pave He didn’t cloak the cross, nor pave the way.the way.

Luke 13:24, “Luke 13:24, “Strive Strive (agonize) to (agonize) to enter through the narrow gate, for enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.”and will not be able.”

Do we believe Him?Do we believe Him?

VIII. “Give of your best to the VIII. “Give of your best to the Master”Master”

God does not give us a “minimum” God does not give us a “minimum” of blessings.of blessings.

He is not He is not miserlymiserly toward us. He toward us. He does not bless us in a “skimpy” does not bless us in a “skimpy” manner.manner.

His blessings are not simply His blessings are not simply “sufficient” or “adequate”, much “sufficient” or “adequate”, much less “scarce.” less “scarce.”

In other words, God does not treat In other words, God does not treat us the way most people treat Him!us the way most people treat Him!

But rather, God blesses us But rather, God blesses us abundantly, generously, profusely. abundantly, generously, profusely.

He “pours out” blessings on us. He “pours out” blessings on us. Will anyone deny this?Will anyone deny this?

Then how should we serve God? Then how should we serve God? Give Him Give Him minimumminimum service? service?

In our attendance? In giving? In In our attendance? In giving? In our service in general?our service in general?

Is that the way God treats us? Is that the way God treats us? What if He treated us the way we What if He treated us the way we

treat Him?  treat Him?  

CONCLUSION.CONCLUSION.This sermon has to do with This sermon has to do with

worshipping God and that is what worshipping God and that is what the saints will do in heaven forever the saints will do in heaven forever and ever.and ever.

So the “bottom line” is this: Do we So the “bottom line” is this: Do we really WANT to worship God? Do we really WANT to worship God? Do we love it? Do we enjoy it?love it? Do we enjoy it?

Do we look forward to it? What Do we look forward to it? What more could God do for us to make us more could God do for us to make us love Him and want to worship Him?love Him and want to worship Him?

Can you imagine Christ letting Can you imagine Christ letting someone enter into heaven that someone enter into heaven that doesn’t really want to worship God? doesn’t really want to worship God? Can you imagine how some church Can you imagine how some church members would feel if they were members would feel if they were there?there?

We did that on earth when it was We did that on earth when it was convenient, if we didn’t work, travel convenient, if we didn’t work, travel or feel bad?or feel bad?

I can just see them looking around I can just see them looking around and saying “Isn’t there something and saying “Isn’t there something else we could do? Where’s the mall? else we could do? Where’s the mall? Do they have cable? I’d like to go Do they have cable? I’d like to go fishing.”fishing.”

Yes, it just so happens that there is Yes, it just so happens that there is a place you can go and not have to a place you can go and not have to worship God. worship God.

No assembly. No singing. No No assembly. No singing. No preaching. No Lord’s Supper. No preaching. No Lord’s Supper. No Contribution. No invitation song. Contribution. No invitation song.

Just lots and lots of screaming and Just lots and lots of screaming and pleading for mercy, begging for just pleading for mercy, begging for just a drop of water to cool my tongue a drop of water to cool my tongue for I am tormented in this flame!for I am tormented in this flame!

But are you sure you want to go But are you sure you want to go there?there?