Get To Church

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. (Hebrews 10:24-25)

Hebrews says not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together, especially as you see the day approaching. This is not a suggestion but an instruction. It’s the most fundamental command of all. The closer we get to Christ's return, the more gathering together matters. The enemy always seeks to isolate believers. Isolation weakens conviction, diminishes boldness, and makes private thoughts louder than the truth. After COVID, I was hard on myself because people weren’t returning as they once did. I thought, "Man, you’ve been pastoring for over four decades, and people don’t even know how to come to church. You’re a terrible pastor." The Lord responded, "You teach the parable of the sower, don’t you?" I said yes. He asked, "What does it say?" Only one out of four is good ground.

The other three get waylaid by affliction, persecution, cares of the world, deceitfulness of riches, and lust of other things. Lust isn’t just about sex. Lust means an excessive desire. Desire for what? Comfort. Your body says, "I am tired." But you just watched three hours of TV. You go out to eat. You go shopping in all kinds of weather. But when it’s time for church, your body says, "I want to stay home." Well, then, you can’t expect the fullness of God to work in your life when the flesh controls what you do.

A brother approached me a couple of months ago and said, "I have not been here in three years." I initially thought he had moved out of town. He then said, "I have been around. I have been watching every Sunday." I responded with, okay. He continued, "Something kept pushing me to come. So I came." I believe that “something” was the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost will prompt you to follow the Word of God for your life. Isolation drains. Assembly strengthens. The closer we get to the end, the more we need one another.

Practical Application

Refuse to let your body dictate your spiritual decisions. Your flesh wants comfort. Your spirit needs obedience. Commit to consistently gathering with your church.

Acts 2:42; Hebrews 3:13