Reasons to Assemble

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:25

Recommended Reading Acts2:42-47

It is said that one Sunday, King Louis XIV of France arrived at his chapel for the regular morning service only to find no one there except the preacher, Francois Fenelon. When the king demanded an explanation, Fenelon replied, "I announced that you would not be attending church today in order that your Majesty might see who serves God in truth and who only attends to flatter the king."

As an illustration, that story is double-edged. On the one hand, no one should attend church for the purpose of impressing someone important. On the other hand, what a shame it would be to be absent from church on the day of Christ's appearing! The writer to the Hebrews suggested that the closer we get to Christ's return, the more faithful we should be to attend church. Why? Because it is in the church gathered that we are encouraged to live in holy expectation of His appearing (1 Thessalonians 3:13). What does your pattern of church attendance say about your own level of expectation?

To be an absent member of a group is as unhelpful as not being a member at all.

If absence makes the heart grow fonder, how some folks must love the church! Gerald I. Teague

Related Media

Related Illustrations