And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-25 NASB
Thayer's Definition of stimulate in verse 24 is-an inciting, incitement, irritation. To poke at with a sharp stick is another way to define it.
We're to encourage other believers to do what we're supposed to do to the point of being irritating If that’s what it takes. We need to not only encourage each other but we also need to admonish, exhort, to beg, entreat, and beseech one another, and even more so as we get closer to the Lord's coming. Again, if it’s needed, but sadly it’s needed far too often as we are so easily caught up in ourselves, our flesh, and the world. (Hebrews 2:1-4)
It is not loving to let somebody we know just live their lives, claiming to be Christians, and not saying anything to them. From what this verse says, it would be disobedient for us believers not to say anything to spur them on to good works!
In verse 25 the word assembly, according to Thayer's Definition, is a gathering together in one place, the (religious) assembly (of Christians). This verse is definitely telling us that we’re to be gathering together, in other words going to church in whatever way we can, wherever we are, in person. And yes, where 2 or more are gathered The Holy Spirit is with us, but isn’t He always with us? How many of us only have 2 or 3 parts of our physical bodies and can function properly? Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 12:12-31, that we’re all to be part of the body of Christ, we cannot exist as God intended us to be if we aren’t regularly attending and serving at and with our local church body.
Why would Paul tell us so much in 1 Corinthians 12:12-31, 1 Timothy 3, and Titus 1:5-9, regarding church leadership and body life if it’s OK for us to sit home and not be part of a local church body?
Jesus told us in Matthew 18:15-17, what we’re supposed to do if a brother or sister is living in sin, with the final effort of reconciliation to bring them to the church so what, you bring them to yourself or to the Body of Christ in whole? I don’t think so!
In the book of Acts alone, there are 24 mentions of the church, and none of them refer to where 1, 2, or 3 are gathered together. They refer to a group meeting and while some instances may be able to mean the body of Christ as a whole, most of them are referring to a specific group of believers in a specific place. I could go on!
This means that watching church online, unless you are physically unable, is NOT living life as we’re directed in the Bible. James 4:17 tells us that not doing what we’re supposed to be doing, is a sin. You do the math! Those who really want to grow and be part of the body are in church. If I’m going to say anything to the camera it would be to once again, spur, poke, prod, etc., them to get back to church and in body life where we all belong.
While I know that some people can’t get to church because of real physical issues, this is a very small percentage of the church. If there are people in our churches that can’t make it for this reason, then the body needs to go to them and include them in body life. And while this may include bringing meals, etc., it is much more than that!
Believer to believer, we're to do all we can to keep each other accountable to live Biblically focused lives, even if it irritates them. This includes getting people back in church and plugged into body life. The writer of Hebrews cannot be clearer here that we are supposed to be meeting together as a church body. Remember this letter was written to the Jews who became Christians and who were radically being persecuted for their faith by the Roman government and their own people. There wasn’t any escape clause given to them because of their persecution, life choices, etc. We should care more about their walk with Jesus than offending them so they “watch” somewhere else, even if it means we lose their tithes!!
There are many places on this earth where Christians risk being thrown in jail and even being killed for going to church to worship Jesus, hear from Him, and to be part of body life. What’s our excuse, really?
The writer of Hebrews ends this passage by telling us to encourage one another, even more so as we see Christ’s return approaching, whether He raptures us outta here or we die. The encouragement is not to be superficial, but rather to be to the point of prodding others in our lives to follow and obey The LORD with all we have until we see Him face to face!
Everyday lived is another day closer to us facing eternity either with or without The LORD, so shouldn't we always be prodding one another? Life on this Earth will not get better no matter what we think. Jesus clearly has told us differently in His Word. (John 16:33, Matthew 24:3-8)
The choice is ours whether we will obey Scripture or obey man. The Bible does not give us any other option. Want a good resolution for this new year, why not make it to get more plugged into the Body of Christ and prod others in your circle to do the same!
Need help getting back to church or finding one, let us know, we love to help anyone willing to do what God wants us to do, just like we need all the help we can get, which is why we always strive to be part of body life no matter how hard it may be!
Please don't hesitate to reach out to us with any questions, prayer requests, etc. We'd love to pray with and for you and to the best of our ability answer any questions you may have soley using God's Word!
Here to serve and disciple until He calls us home,
Curt & Mary Jo
Note-all Scripture references in parenthesis are direct links God's Word so that you can easily click and read what The LORD has to say about the section before the reference. I encourage you to click, read, study and even memorize these passages for yourself and NOT to just not just take my word for it. (Psalm 119)
