How can we prioritize "not giving up meeting together" in our busy lives? The Call to Gather: Hebrews 10:25 “Let us not neglect meeting together, as is the habit of some, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Why Gathering Matters • God designed the church as a body; each member needs the others (1 Corinthians 12:12–27). • Early believers “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship” (Acts 2:42). • Jesus promises His presence when “two or three are gathered together in My name” (Matthew 18:20). • Mutual encouragement guards us against drifting (Hebrews 3:13). Barriers We Face Today • Overloaded calendars: work, school, extracurriculars. • Digital substitutes: streaming services that lure us into solitary worship. • Fatigue and convenience culture: the pull of rest that edges out corporate worship. • Fragmented relationships: moving often, long commutes, pandemic habits lingering. Practical Steps to Prioritize Gathering • Mark the Lord’s Day first in your planner—everything else arranges around it (Exodus 20:8–11). • Commit to one local congregation; consistency breeds connection (Philippians 1:27). • Build weekly rhythms: Sunday worship plus a mid-week Bible study or service team. • Prepare on Saturday night—clothes ready, alarms set—to remove morning scramble. • Guard family time by saying no to activities that conflict with worship (Joshua 24:15). • Use technology only as a supplement: live-stream when providentially hindered, then rejoin in person as soon as possible. • Pair gathering with hospitality: share a meal after church, deepening bonds (Romans 12:13). • Encourage others to attend—text a reminder, offer a ride, sit together (Hebrews 10:24). Blessings Promised When We Obey • Spiritual sharpening: “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17). • Corporate worship multiplies joy (Psalm 34:3; Psalm 122:1). • Unity draws the Lord’s commanded blessing (Psalm 133:1–3). • Strength for trials through shared burdens (Galatians 6:2). • A living witness to a watching world (John 13:35). Living Hebrews 10:24–25 Daily • Begin each week asking, “How will I stir up love and good deeds in my church family?” • Treat gathering not as an optional add-on but as a divine appointment that shapes every other commitment. • Remember eternity: “all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Each meeting is rehearsal for the great assembly around the throne (Revelation 7:9–10). |
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