The Messenger 2019
Published Weekly by T. Sean Sullivan
Paragould, Arkansas
Issue 19: May 19, 2019
Article by T. Sean Sullivan
Here, Where…
Introduction:
Hebrews 10:25 is a direct statement that authorizes the necessity of attending the “assembling” of the congregation of which we are members. The Hebrew writer reveals the importance of gathering with our brethren in God’s plan for our faithful-survival. Many have been misled, or have falsely concluded, that we can worship as “Christians-at-large”, or independent of the organization called the church. Some conclude, “I can worship in my deer stand” or others, on the way to the lake Sunday morning, say, “Okay kids, let’s think about God for a few minutes; that will be our church service today”.
There are things that are expressed; provided; and gained, only here in our assemblies. It is here that we express our hearts in worship to God. It is here that we build up our brethren. It is here that we gain strength and encouragement from our brethren. David in Psalm 103:2 exhorts, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits”—unfortunately, some have forgotten the benefits of doing the will of God.
There is something wonderful to being involved in the assembling of the church in this place. We need to be here at every opportunity to fulfill our role, and to receive the benefits that are intended to be ours. Let’s open the Scriptures and seek to encourage our desire to…
Be Here, Where We Worship God:
Another statement of David found in Psalm 122:1 declares, “I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go into the house of the Lord." This is a declaration of one who understands “the opportunity” of gathering with the people of God for worship. The New Testament refers to the church as “the house of God” (1 Timothy 3:15), so putting these two similar thoughts together, are you “Glad to gather with the church”? Those who understand “the opportunity” of gathering with the people of God for worship, are glad to do so, each and every time they can.
Gathering with our brethren in worship is a blessed opportunity that should be eagerly desired.
When we understand that worship is an opportunity to participate in something great.
The Old Testament Prophet Isaiah gives us an interesting insight to “coming before the presence of God in worship”. We clearly see that God is to be “hallowed”—God is to be reverenced in the highest form of reverence.Isaiah 6:1-3 is a glimpse into the throne room of Heaven, and God on His throne. In that passage Isaiah was given this opportunity to see the Lord sitting on His throne. There were seraphim (Winged Heavenly Host) over the throne of God and they praised God with the words, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of His glory” (v. 3)—these are very similar to the words of “worship” recorded in Revelation 4:8-11. What is particularly interesting to see is the “reverence” of the seraphim; who covered their faces in the presence of God (v.2). If the host of Heaven cover their faces in the presence of God, how reverent should we be as we come to His throne in worship?
I am afraid with our culture’s desire to make all things more and more casual, we have lost sight of what it means to enter into the presence of God in worship. It seems as though today we are supposed to treat everything in life like it has little value, or it requires as little an effort as possible. There is no way to fully express the importance of our hope in God, through Christ, but is worth every moment it requires, even if the expectation required every moment of our life. It is awesome to be invited to reverence God in worship. We are given an opportunity to join in the worship of the Almighty Father, the One who willed into existence all that is, that One who is from forever and will forever be, has invited you (John 4:24).
What is reflected by our rejection of His invitation by choosing distractions from attending?
Be Here, Where We Build Up Our Brethren:
Our brethren are facing the difficulties of this world and need a reliable source of strengthening. The Scriptures record several examples of those who really encouraged the best in others: Like Barnabas, in Acts 4:36-37, who is said to be born of encouragement—the “son of encouragement”. He was present and willing to do what he could, with what he had. Like Tabitha, in Acts 9:36-39, who made clothes for those in need. While she lived, she was present and willing to do what she could, with the ability that she had. Like Epaphroditus, in Philippians 2:25-30, who, not considering himself, supplied Paul with what he lacked. He was present and willing to suffer, so that others would not have to.
We need to apply great priority to our responsibility of being the encouragers of our brethren: We are to be the bringers of courage, like the brethren who came to visit Paul before his imprisonment (Acts 28:15). We encourage our brethren: By offering our brethren what we should (Romans 12:9-15). By providing the care that we all need—kindness, tenderheartedness, and forgiveness (Ephesians 4:32). By seeking to provide for one another as God wants us to, “Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.” (1 Peter 3:8-9). We encourage our brethren when we consistently attend every opportunity and willingly provide what we can, as we should.
What is reflected by our rejection of the opportunity to encourage our brethren’s hope of Heaven, by choosing distractions from attending?
Be Here, Where We are Built Up:
It is here that we are provided with a scheduled opportunity to “recharge our own spiritual-battery”. The family in Christ, of which we are a part, is to be a living example of what Solomon speaks of in Ecclesiastes 4:9-12. If we are separate, and alone, we are weak and vulnerable. It is together with our brethren that we are strong and able to withstand.
In the New Testament: Paul says that we are woven together in Ephesians 4:16, “joined and knit together by what every joint supplies”. Peter, in 1 Peter 2:5, says that we are built together, “As living stones, in a living house”. These examples, both Old and New, teach us that we are supposed to be “together”.
Our own refreshing and reassuring comes from what we can only receive, when we are together. There is a picture of our need for togetherness in Hebrews 10:24, where we are told to “consider one another”. This means, we are to make a “reasoning observation” of each other’s well-being. We look at each other, for a demeanor determination. We listen to each other, for a dialogue of needs. We want to help; so, we want to know. In this same passage, the very next verse, we are told the “when” of these requirements (Hebrews 10:25). We are to not “forsake the assembling of ourselves together”—our gatherings are supposed to be the times when we fulfill our need to“consider one another”. The weekly services are scheduled times wherein our needs are being considered, our lives are enriched with more love, and we are encouraged to greater good works.
What is reflected by our rejection of the opportunity to receive our brethren’s help, by choosing distractions from attending?
Conclusion:
David in Psalm 122:1 declares, “I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go into the house of the Lord." When the church gathers we are given the opportunity to participate in something far greater than our self. We gather in answer to God’s invitation to come before Him in worship (John 4:24).
David also in Psalms 103:2 exhorts us to “forget not” the benefits of the Lord. We need to embrace the value of our participation in the plan of God, through Jesus Christ, our Savior.
The “assembling of ourselves together” is also about seeking and finding. Do you seek strength to face life? This is a place of gaining strength and refreshing our strength. Do you seek salvation? This gathering provides us with an opportunity to obey the gospel plan and find our hope, in Christ. It’s time to take up your role “here, where” we seek Heaven. ~tss
