Gettin' Together

465.  "Gettin' Together"              Feb. 27, 2012
Hebrews 10-Part 8
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.   Hebrews 10:25 KJV

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching.  NIV

And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another; especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.  NLT

LET IT GLOW
When I was in elementary school, we would have assemblies every so often.  We would say our pledge to the flag, sing patriotic songs, have a speaker or a program by one of the classes. Anyway, all of the classes were together in one place, doing the same thing, with a purpose. Now that was forty-something years ago and they may not even do that nowadays. We are told in scripture to not forsake the assembing of ourselves. Shall we look deeper into this matter?
First, the author warns his readers to not forsake, give up, neglect assembling together, meeting together.

Assembling  means a gathering together in one place; the religious assembly of Christians. (Thayer's Lexicon)
Collective and corporate worship is a vital part of spiritual life. The warning here is against apostasy in an eschatological context (1 Thess. 5:4). (MacArthur Bible Commentary)

Wiersbe says, in his book, Be Confident:

Fellowship with God must never become selfish. We must also fellowship with other Christians in the local assembly. Apparently, some of the wavering believers had been absenting themselves from the church fellowship. It is interesting to note that the emphasis heer is not on what a believer  gets from the assembly, but rather what he can contribute  to the assembly. Faithfulness in church attendance encourages others and provokes them to love and good works. One of the strong motives for faithfulness is the soon coming of Jesus Christ. The only other place the word translated "assembling" is used in the New Testament is in 2 Thessalonians 2:1, where it's translated "gathering" and deals with the coming of Christ.

The assembling of the believers is often an outward indication of the inner condition. If a man's faith will not get him to church, it is doubtful if it will get him to heaven. ( Liberty Bible Commentary)
Why do I miss worship services? It is either due to illness or serving in children's church. It leaves a void in my life and seems to mess up my week so I don't do it intentionally.

"Forsaking fellowshlp is a sure way to give place to discouragement. Discouragement makes us avoid the community of God's people at the very time we need it most. Many people go to church if they feel they "need it" at the time. But our motivation for felowship must be to obey God and to give to others." states David Guzik.

Where do I go when I get discouraged?

LET IT GROW

Second, he says to exhort one another. Exhort means to urge to a course of action; admonish. (Webster's Dictionary)
MacArthur states, "Exhortation takes the form of encouragement, comfort, warning, or strengthening."
John Gill says we should exhort one another to:

• prayer,
• public worship,
• regard all duties of religion,
• adhere to Christ, profession in Him,
• walk in Christ,
• comforting of others,
• the promises of God, doctrines of grace,
• sharing experiences.

Am I encouraging other believers in those things? Do I share my experiences of God's working in my life with others?
Third, the writer is reminding his readers that the Second Coming of Christ, His return, is drawing near, approaching. Why wouldn't anyone want to be their best spiritually, strongest in faith, and  found faithful in worship and serving the Lord upon His return?

LET IT GO

Stay faithful to worship services, Bible studies, and fellowships of my church.

Look for ways to share the faithfulness of Christ in my life.

Encourage others to love and good works.