TEXT:
‘Not forsaking our meeting together [as believers for worship and instruction], as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more [faithfully] as you see the day [of Christ’s return] approaching’ (Hebrews 10:25 AMP).
Recently I helped a 93 year old lady up the steps out of a church and along the gravel path to the car. She needed to use a walker with wheels on it. The gravel made the journey even more arduous than the steps. I asked her why she still attended church as she surely had a good reason not to go. She replied, “Because the Bible commands us to go and not forsake meeting together with other Christians!” I was so pleased with her reply and determination to obey God.
In Part 1, we studied three reasons for attending church regularly: a declaration of our faith; to be fed spiritually; and to fellowship with other believers. Today’s Teaching highlights three more reasons for going to church.
4. Function
God never designed church to be a one-man band and the congregation as mere pew-fillers. The church is a body and individually we have different roles to function in. The Bible says,
‘When you meet together, one will sing, another will teach, another will tell some special revelation God has given, one will speak in tongues, and another will interpret what is said. But everything that is done must strengthen all of you’ (1 Corinthians 14:26 NLT).
‘He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love’ (Ephesians 4:16 NLT).
‘We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully’ (Romans 12:6-8 NIV).
Every Christian has a function but not everyone has the same function. While every Christian is called to pray, evangelise and love, within the church we each fulfil different roles and purposes. The church is likened to a body and each part contributes and functions differently to other parts. Some Christians have a more prominent role than others but everyone should have a ministry of helping and not just wait to be asked.
Unfortunately too many Christians are simply “helping themselves”, especially to tea, coffee and biscuits and never think about how much work is involved in preparation, setting up and clearing up after the service. A good question to ask is, “If I don’t do my part, then who will?”
Jesus said, ‘The harvest truly is plentiful, but the labourers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into His harvest’ (Matthew 9:37-38). That prayer is needed today more than ever!
5. Finance – ‘Bring all the tithes into the storehouse’ (Malachi 3:10)
Notice that “storehouse” is singular not plural. Your tithe should be supporting the church where you fellowship and are fed spiritually. If we do not tithe we are robbing God and also the ministry team who are responsible for ensuring the church pays all of its expenses.
It would transform Christians and churches if everyone attending faithfully tithed. There is no justification for not honouring God and our local church with our tithes and also other ministries and missions with our offerings.
6. Future – ‘All the more [faithfully] as you see the day [of Christ’s return] approaching’
- Local Church
Churches are more likely to run out of money before they run out of people. When not enough money is coming in to support a leader, the church can end up as part of a cluster. The minister becomes over-worked trying to look after several churches. People feel neglected and stop attending, so the church gets smaller until it’s time for closure and the spiritual light in the community (however weakly it may have been shining) goes out.
The house that was built through sacrificial giving and labour for the glory of God becomes the house that was converted for the glory of man.
Non-giving and non-functioning Christians hasten the decline of any church.
- Return of Christ
This subject has lost some of its intensity over the years. ‘Where is the promise of His coming?’ (2 Peter 3:4). Peter reminds us, ‘The Lord is not slack concerning His promise’ (2 Peter 3:9). Jesus came the first time at the right time and so it will be when He returns.
The war in Ukraine has caused much anxiety because it could so easily escalate into a much wider conflict, dragging surrounding nations into a war no one wants but no one will be able to avoid.
Is all this heralding the end-time scene when Christ returns, first to remove the believers before the tribulation and wrath of God, then to reign in righteousness as King of kings and Lord of lords? We cannot be exactly sure but one thing is certain, we need to keep our lamps burning brightly, topped up with oil daily, and continue to faithfully fellowship and evangelise.
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