Not Forsaking The Assembling‏

And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near (Hebrews 10:24-25). 

The New Testament makes it clear that believers should be assembling together, under the leadership of a Pastor and Deacons.  Unfortunately, many people do not attend Church.  As we see from Hebrews 10:24-25, not gathering together under biblical leadership was happening even in the beginning and was warned against.  The Bible gives the requirements for leadership in the Church (1 Timothy 3) and tells us that God has appointed some to be preachers and teachers (Ephesians 4:11).  God took the time to lay all of this out because this is how He wants His body to function while on Earth.  We are to encourage one another, support each other and help each other grow in truth and love.   

If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body.  And if the ear says, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body.  If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be?  But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired.  If they were all one member, where would the body be?  But now there are many members, but one body.  And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”  On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary (1 Corinthians 12:15-22)

Each member of Christ's body (the Church) has a part to play.  People who remove themselves from God's design are not only being disobedient to what God has told them to do, they are hurting themselves and the Church.  By not attending Church they will be removed from the authority and leadership God has in place to be over them, teaching them right doctrine and also from fellowship with other believers.  Because they are not doing their part in the body, the Church suffers.  In our culture things are so easy we sometimes forget what a blessing it is to even have the ability to own a Bible or attend Church.  Throughout most of history and even today in many parts of the world, the act of meeting together with other believers to study the Bible could be a death sentence.  Others have literally been put to death for things we so casually do today. 

I implore everyone to do their part, to work together and to treasure the Bible and the Church.  There could be coming a time when we will no longer have that ability as freely as we do now.  Older godly men and women need to share their knowledge with younger members in the Church, help them know the truth and mentor them throughout their lives.  Younger members, listen to your Elders so you can avoid many troubles.  Help your Pastor and Deacons.  Everyone has some gift or skill that can be used in some way.  Christ was willing to die for the Church, we should at least be willing to participate in it.