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Why does God tell us not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together? Don’t stop meeting together.
Some would say "I can worship anywhere. I like to worship while I fish." Others might say, "I learn just as much staying home and watching a preacher on TV."
But God tells us to “assemble together” or (meet together)
Why?
1. Encouragement:
— to encourage one another
— to be encouraged
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting (encouraging) one another: and so much the more, as you see the day approaching. Hebrews 10:25
2. Spiritual gifts:
Every man is given spiritual gifts to profit all. The Spirit divides to every man as he will. (1 Corinthians 12:7,11)
a. In meeting together, we receive the benefits of the spiritual gifts of those with whom we meet. And their gifts are “profitable.”
Some of the gifts are:
— wisdom
— knowledge
— faith
— healing
— miracles
— prophecy
— discerning spirits
— tongues
— the interpretation of tongues (1 Corinthians 12:8-10)
— teaching
— mercy
— faith
b. We use OUR spiritual gifts.
When meeting together, we have the opportunity to use our spiritual gifts to benefit others… using your spiritual gifts to equip (teaching, training, serving) and build up (encourage, comfort) other believers.
c. How do we use our spiritual gifts in the church? For what purpose? (Ephesians 4:12)
— Equipping believers for the work of the ministry
— Building up (edifying) the body of Christ
What is the ultimate goal? …Reach perfect unity in faith and knowledge.
3. Accountability — It is our natural tendency to drift away from God when left on our own. Fellowship with other believers helps us hold ourselves to a higher standard.
Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
4. Group ministries – There is something unifying about working together for a common, and a group effort can often reach more people.
5. Sharing our burdens. Talk about your struggles and be comforted and encouraged. Receive advice and help. And you are the comforter, encourager, advisor and helper to others.
6. Prayer - sharing our struggles with others and praying together with others about those situations. Being remembered in prayer by those who care about us. And praying for their needs also.
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The fervent prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. James 5:16
7. The power of corporate prayer when two or more meet together.
That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. Matthew 18:19
8. Corporate worship The presence of God when we gather.
For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. Matthew 18:20
9. Christian growth. Fellowship sparks excitement. Church fellowship stimulates Christian growth.
10. Connect with others, build relationships. God said, “It is not good for man to be alone.” Genesis 2:18
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The fisherman is right. Worship is not the reason we should seek Christian fellowship. We can worship God anytime and anywhere. Our body is the temple of God. He dwells in us.
Jesus said, “I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” Matthew 28:20
Paul wrote …Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God… 1 Corinthians 6:19
We don’t have to go to church to be in His presence. But we must be intentional about worship wherever we are. . The fisherman must seek God, not just fish. Enjoying nature is not worshipping God. Recognizing God as the CREATOR of nature is worship.
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Our brother in Christ who watches the preacher on TV is headed in the right direction, but he is only receiving a fraction of the benefits of a church. That brother is learning the Word of God. That's a step in the right direction. But he is only receiving the benefits of the scriptural knowledge of the preacher.
He is missing out on all the other gifts of his church leader. For example, does the TV preacher visit him when he is sick? Does the TV preacher check on him when he misses the TV show? Can he go to his TV preacher for advice on personal issues or have a discussion on a specific passage in the Bible that he doesn't understand? Can he go to his TV preacher when he has suffered loss and needs comfort? A TV preacher can't see him, hear him, hug him or love him.
A church pastor has a personal relationship with his members. He is a shepherd not just a speaker. Imagine having a TV HUSBAND or a TV WIFE! Would that relationship be spiritually, emotionally, mentally or physically satisfying? Definitely not! Or even a TV friend? Not a very satisfying relationship. You are still alone. And remember… God said, “It is not good for man to be alone.” Genesis 2:18
What got me started on the topic of church fellowship? Spiritual gifts.
Church fellowship is where you use your spiritual gifts and receive the benefits of others using their spiritual gifts. We need all the members of the body of Christ to be present for the body to function properly. If you are not fulfilling your responsibility as a member of the body, then the body of Christ is crippled.
We should assemble together, because we need church fellowship, and because we are needed in the church fellowship.
