Part 3: Establishing A Strong Walk With God

Hebrews 10:25 “Let us not forsake the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as we see the day approaching.”

The teaching of the Word of God in the midst of God’s people gathered together can touch a person’s heart in a way that cannot come across a radio or television broadcast. There are things that God does within our hearts at church that will not happen any where else. Because of this truth, it’s no wonder that Satan would launch an assault on any and every church that is truly preaching the gospel, reaching people, touching lives, and making a difference by influencing people with the love of Jesus Christ. One of those assaults is the deception – “I don’t need to go to church to be a good Christian.”

Going to church is not what gets you to Heaven. Salvation through Jesus Christ is a gift to all who will believe. But, the Holy Spirit will help transform your life in church in a way that will not happen any where else. Church contrary to many erroneous ideas is God’s idea and plan.

Hebrews 10:25 speaks these very powerful words. “Let us not forsake the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as we see the day approaching.”

A word study of this verse reveals this: “assembling” in the Greek means – a complete collection – or to call everyone together for worship. “Exhorting” implies almost a “begging of everyone to comply.” “So much the more” is referring to “as we get closer to” and “as you see the day approaching” is referring to the coming of Christ’s soon return.” This verse is saying “Please – I urge – even beg you, please comply and assemble together with consistency and regularity as we get closer and closer to Jesus’ soon return.” Why is there this kind of appeal? Because Jesus revealed something we can’t be ignorant of in Matthew 24:12. “Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold.” Its Satan’s design to keep you away from church and surrounded by sin and evil so that it dampens your love for God and leads you to a backslidden state. Remember that Jesus spoke these words in Luke 18:8 “… Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”

This inspired plea from the Holy Spirit was warning us that as we drew closer to the “day of Christ” that there would be those pulling away from “the assembling of ourselves together (as a complete collection coming together to worship God.) The assembling of God’s church locally is God’s will and plan.

Though it is God’s will for a person to go to and be a part of a strong vibrant church, a person that is a shut-in because of a disability or because of older age, may not be able to fulfill God’s will in this area. In some geographical locations there is no church. In other place the churches are outlawed or persecuted and they go underground as home churches or what ever they can do. In this case, the prevailing truth are Jesus’ words, “Where ever two or more are gathered in my name, there shall I be in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:20. God’s grace is always there for us when circumstances impede us from living out His perfect will for whatever reason. Remember, Satan’s full-time purpose is to attack God’s saints and impede God’s will. Regardless, God will help us make the best of any given situation and His grace will be sufficient when we can’t get done everything He would like us to do.

That does not replace the need or His will “for the assembling together.” It just makes the best of what can’t happen until God makes a way. In these kinds of circumstances, someone isn’t out of God’s will because His will isn’t prevailing in that place. If there is a city or town or location without a good Bible teaching church, that is not God’s perfect will – but people can’t just change that. They should pray until His will for this change manifests in their midst. In the meantime they would worship and learn of and stay close to God and continue in any way they could. The Apostle Paul traveled everywhere he could establishing churches and leaders for them – because it was God’s perfect will. Yet there were places the Holy Spirit would not let Paul go, probably because he would have been killed. That was a place that had to be bathed in prayer for some time until God’s will prevailed and eventually manifest.

People that are physically able and do have a good Bible based church they can attend need to make this their priority. God is always looking for the diversity of giftings and callings within people that build and make a strong church. When a strong church arises, it impacts a community. The restraint of sin increases and demonic activity decreases in the lives of Christians personally and in that community. This is God’s will and it takes Christians functioning as the church for this to happen.

This nation if filled with Christians that frankly, were up too late on Saturday night to get to church on Sunday – (some even with a hangover.) Church was simply not “convenient” that weekend. If you watch the sports stadiums on Sundays they are filled. It used to be churches that were filled on Sunday. Some people say, “Well church isn’t relevant anymore.” That might feel true in churches that conduct only religious services but don’t teach God’s Word. People might feel bored and not want to come. That is why God’s Word must be taught. There are many people that get up and “Watch it on TV.” That’s only slightly better than nothing but it’s not the same as “the assembling of all the believers together.” The Holy Spirit can seldom reach or touch them in the same way. They do not serve others while at home. Their children do not come along side other children at home. They don’t fellowship with other believers. The tithes and offerings are not collected hindering the blessing of God’s saints. The local church and local believers are weakened. This is the equivalent of Israel in their declining state of backsliding in the Old Testament.

Let’s learn from the past and know that church is a critical part of our spiritual growth. More to come…

In His Love,

Pastor Tim Burt
http://readfreshmanna.blogspot.com/