Today we are blessed by another wonderful post from Sister Connie Keyohara! God Bless you and yours Connie! Happy 4th of July Sister!
“Do not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25
The gathering of God’s people is something of a Divine nature. The Lord made it for His glory and our benefit. When we meet, we receive something God given. There are several benefits of attending church and I’d like to address just s few.
Encouragement: Encouraging depicts someone coming alongside you and cheering you on. To help, and comfort you when you’re feeling weak or discouraged. That is what we should be doing. We ought to be building one another up and encouraging each other.
As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17
Do you ever have days where you just need someone to talk to or need someone to pray for you or just to listen to you. Maybe it’s through the sermon that you get encouragement, it could be through a class that’s offered, but however you get your encouragement, it is God given. I personally get encouragement from the fellowship that is done before and after church.
Edification: Paul said, “All things must be done for edification” 1 Corinthians 14:26. Edification is what we associate with educating, instructing and teaching. Since we are the student (the sheep) we get an hour each Sunday to sit through a sermon where in essence (the shepherd) is guiding us. That’s a good time to listen, take notes and study.
Equipping: Paul told the church at Ephesus that their corporate times of worship should result in “the training (equipping) of the saints in the work of ministry” (Ephesians 4:12) As we listen, take notes and study what we are learning, it’s equipping us to go out to fulfill the great commission, which is the whole reason we are doing this. Being equipped to go out, but it’s also for our own spiritual growth as well.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20
I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters. I will praise you among your assembled people. Psalm 22:22
Attending church is a visible, tangible expression of our love and worship toward God. It is where we bring Him offerings of praise, thanks, and honor, which are pleasing to Him. We should know that the primary reason of the corporate gathering is to bring “service” to the Lord as a blessing to Him (Psa. 134:2).
You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created. Revelation 4:11
Perhaps if we focus on making our meeting place, a place where people are encouraged and stirred up to love and do good deeds, the more people will desire to come together to worship God.
We cannot “be” the church, if we don’t “go” to church. Because we won’t be fully equipped.
My prayer for you today is; If you do not have a place to worship that you would find a place to worship. A place that teaches the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Many Blessings,
