Friday
01-17-2025
By: Brenda
Gathering together…
Yesterday, I had someone inquire about the importance of going to church.
Their heart was hurting because of their misunderstanding of the Church or lack of attendance.
So I put together a little study that I pray helps them and others have a better understanding on what the scriptures are saying about, how, when, or where they attend church.
“The importance of gathering in fellowship” according to scriptures…
In Hebrews 10:24-25 it says:
“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaken the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exorting one another, and so much the more as you see the day approaching.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of the church, (which is the people) gathering together to stir up love and good works amoung eachother.
In other words, we are to gather and to encourage each other to love like Christ and do good deeds, demonstrating faith through our words and actions.
This scripture also calls for us to exort one another, meaning to encourage, uplift, or challenge each other to live a righteous life.
The Church (is the people.)
God’s Church (is the people.)
(We are His Church,) and these are the things He does not want us to forsake.
(The coming together)
1 Corinthians 3:16
Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you.
In the book of Romans, Paul refers to the church as people meeting in someone’s house not the church as a building people meet in.
Romans 16:5 it says:
Greet also the church that meets at their house.
See according to scripture church is not a location we travel to, it is who we are.
(We are His Church!)
We are (the church) when we gather,
(not where we gather.)
That gathering does not have to be huge.
(Jesus put His stamp of approval on gatherings as small as two or three.)
Matthew 18:20
For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.
But remember, even a gathering of that size means stepping out of our own bubble and connecting with each other in fellowship, whether that be reading the Word, worshiping in song or praying.
This is where Hebrews 10:25 comes in again:
“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaken the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exorting one another, and so much the more as you see the day approaching.”
Consider also what Jesus said in:
Matthew 16:18
“I will build my church, and the gates of hades will not overcome it.”
The church Jesus is speaking of is not a moment on the weekend, or in a building, but rather a movment that not even hell itself can slow down.
If we think that Church is a place that we huddle safely with our Christian friends, then we have lost what it means to be the church.
The Church is the gathered people of God, (not a building.)
So, whether you are going into a Church building, meeting at your home, or someone else’s home, maybe a coffee shop, or even online, and in some cases only by phone.
Are, you not still gathering? (Yes)
Do not forsake that gathering, and never forget. We, the people are His Church!
(the building we are gathered in, is not the church.)
He, is present wherever we gather together in His name… We are His Church!
And oh, how God loves us ❤️