Hebrews 10:23-25 – “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 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.”  NKJV

I had someone ask, “Do you believe a person can be a Christian and not attend a local church?”  The short answer is, yes.  The follow-up question is why would you not want to attend?  In the answer to the second question we possibly find more revelation as to the root than in the first question.  Some would answer NO to the first and may become agitated with me because I am willing to leave the determination to the LORD rather than allowing my own preference to rule.  I have had some say, “Well, the local churches offer nothing of substance, the people are hypocrites, so why attend?”  I understand the attitude but disagree with the conclusion.

            What is the purpose of the corporate gathering or church service?  If it is simply a religious exercise then I could agree that attending might have little benefit.  If it is something deeper and with a greater purpose I cannot.  Our text suggests something that I have contended for years and been told that I am completely wrong.  The writer says that we are to not forsake the assembling of ourselves together.  Is that simply meeting for a service or does the word ASSEMBLE carry a deeper meaning?  The word is understood as “gathering” but when we read the entire text could it suggest something more especially when linked to 1 Corinthians 3:10-17.  Paul speaks of the “Wise Master Builder” and then we read of the explanation of the purpose of the gift ministries in Ephesians 4:11-16 how can, we not see one of the purposes of the local congregational gathering as BUILDING A HOUSE, which we are individual members of.  Then in 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 we understand that we are all individual cells in the Body of Christ and although we function independently we are connected by the Blood collective and each part contributes to the whole.  Therefore, if one of the functions and values of the corporate gathering is ASSEMBLING the parts into a building and body it carries incredible benefit both for the individual, the congregation and the kingdom.

            Another benefit of the corporate gathering is contending with or warding off DEGENERATION.  What, in nature, does not degenerate over time if left alone and unattended?  If a house is not painted and occupied it degenerates.  If an automobile is not serviced regularly the engine and other parts will degenerate.  If relationships are not maintained they degenerate.  I believe that also applies to the local church and to the individual believer.  We provide our natural bodies with proper diet, exercise and care to keep it functioning properly and yet too often neglect our spirits.

I considered the spiritual health of the people over whom I gave oversight one of if not my most important responsibility.  In Acts 20:28, Paul exhorted the overseers or pastors to care for ALL THE FLOCK.  One of the daily questions every spiritual leader should be asking is, “What is the spiritual health of the flock?”  There are many LAWS in the natural and spiritual and one of those is “The Law of Degeneration”, which Jeremiah addresses.  Jeremiah 2:21, “Yet I had planted you a noble vine, wholly a seed of highest quality.  How then have you turned before Me into the degenerate plant of an alien vine?”  Everything in the natural and spiritual goes through stages of growth.  In the natural plants require care, fertilization, moisture, sunlight, and, at times, pruning to grow, mature, and produce.  The same is true in the spiritual. We need to have the “good seed” of the Word planted in our spirits and through ministry, guidance, teaching, preaching, and example our spirits are nurtured so that we can grow, develop and produce spiritual fruit.  That is a purpose of the corporate gathering and something that makes it valuable.  One of the problems is that we come to gatherings with wrong expectations.  We should come to receive and give and allow the Spirit of God and God’s appointed leadership and gifts to mold us and assemble us into a whole functioning body and house.

One thing I have found in the natural and spiritual is that DEGENERATION is never “sudden” but is always “gradual.”  Tragically, by the time, some realize it has begun it has progressed to the point the spirit man is in deep distress and disrepair.  God did not bring us into the kingdom to see us degenerate into a non-productive plant or cell in the Body of Christ.  He wants us to have, be, and enjoy ABUNDANT LIFE manifesting as well as representing Him.

My hope is this will move the needle in your attitude toward the corporate gathering and as you allow yourself to become ASSEMBLED with the other members of the local congregation you will become stronger and thereby strengthen the body as a whole.

           God bless you as you go through this wonderful day in Him!