Not Forsaking The Assembling - Hebrews 10:25
-Introduction
-This morning’s topic:
-I’m afraid, is misunderstood
-Confusion regarding several aspects
-Viewed by some primarily as a matter of tradition - some include traditional elements
-However, more important elements: obedience, commitment, devotion, priorities, etc
-Can serve as an indicator of one’s devotion to God and priorities regarding Him
-Directly commanded by God through His word - demonstrated through apostolic authority
and the example of the early church
-Not enough when left on its own
-Something each of you are doing right now
-What’s the topic? - “Not forsaking the assembling...” (Heb 10:25)
-The Assembly
-We find in the N.T. instructions for the church and the pattern of the early church that Christians
are to assemble.
-Heb 10:25 - direct instructions - not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together
-Context of Heb 10:25 - vs 19-25
-blessings and encouragement - bold access to God through the blood of Jesus, Jesus as our
High Priest, drawing near to God, full assurance
-admonitions - true heart, hold fast, without wavering, consider one another, provoke (stimulate,
NAS; spur, NIV) one another to love and good works
-Attendance in this context: realizing our blessings and remaining faithful in the Gospel - that better
motivates us to attend.
-Purpose of attending: worship God - give Him honor, glory and thanks
-Is God worthy of these? Absolutely!
-main point of the book of Job
-But, what do our actions say if/when we forsake the assembling?
-Some have claimed: God must be on an “ego trip” since He wants all mankind to worship Him.
-We cannot add to God’s infinite character and attributes.
-By assembling and worshipping, we are refocused on what’s most important, renewed &
strengthened spiritually, reminded of our blessings, & hence better motivated.
-Good cycle - growing process. The opposite is a vicious and weakening process.
-We are creatures of habit. Let’s develop good habits rather than poor ones.
-If you break a good habit, it can be very difficult to reestablish.
-Forsaking The Assembly - Sin
-Now, let’s consider this again: Are we directly instructed (i.e. commanded) in God’s word regarding
this subject at hand? Yes.
-What do we call it when we don’t do what God has directly instructed? Sin.
-Garden of Eden - That’s how sin entered into the world.
-Heb 10:26 - For if we sin willfully (Greek indicates - go on sinning)
-We’re talking about patterns here - “as the manner of some is” - not specific occasions.
-Overall point of Hebrews:
-These people were growing weaker in the faith and were in the process of falling away.
-Notice that forsaking the assembly was a part of that process.
-By falling away from the Gospel, these people were straying away from the only avenue of hope -
the atoning blood of Jesus.
-Important Question: Don’t Forsake Which Assembly?
-Does Heb 10:25 apply only to the Sunday morning worship service?
-Fair and Important question
-As we noted earlier, the church is instructed to assemble. But, when? How often?
-What might be somewhat of a surprise, there is little in way of instructions regarding
when to assemble.
-Acts 20:7 - A very important passage
-We know that this passage wasn’t optional? How?
-“came together” - Greek passive voice
-Freedom of choice wasn’t removed. Yet, this shows that there was a authoritative, Divine
instruction that bound them to assemble on the first day of the week.
-Nothing has ever removed that requirement.
-Yet, many appeal to this passage in an attempt to support the idea of meeting on Sunday
morning only.
-Interestingly, this gathering in Acts 20 wasn’t in the morning but in the evening.
-Sunday evening and Wednesday evening? - tradition or authority
-Who has determined that there will be a time to assemble Sunday & Wedneday P.M.? - elders
-Do they have that right? They are the authority.
-Is Sunday evening and Wednesday evening a violation of scripture? In other words, do the
scriptures limit us to Sunday only for assembling? No.
-Heb 13:17
-If we do not attend at these other times, are we truly submitting to the elders?
-Attendance Alone Is Not Enough
-Yes, attendance is important - required by God through His word. Yet, attendance isn’t everything.
-We need to be careful that we don’t find ourselves simply “going through the motions.”
-Jn 4:24
-Also, our devotion and commitment to God needs to extend into our daily living - a walk with God.
-Amos 5:21-27 - Their worship had seemingly become a mere formality. They went through the
motions but in their daily lives rejected God and served idols.
-Summary and Invitaion
-Forsaking the assembly is often times focused upon as “the problem.” Actually, it is a symptom of
the problem. But, let’s not jump to conclusions too quickly. It’s not always a matter of a lack of
devotion or commitment. It might be a lack of understanding.
-Let’s remember that the benefits of assembling are accumulative: bulletin article.
-And, what it really gets down to is this: Ask yourself these questions: Is God worth my time and
effort? Are my actions consistent with my answer? Do I realize that the elders have the authority
to set meeting times in addition to Sunday morning? Do I realize that I’m to submit to their
authority? Are my actions consistent with my answers?
-Maybe you need to make the decision right now to improve your commitment and service to God.
-Have you made a commitment to God? Have you responded to His word?