[Hebrews 10:24-27 KJV] “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries”.
Today, we want to emphasis the truth that meeting in church is not a social gathering. When we come to church, we have come to Zion; to the assembly of the first born and to an inummerable company of angels. The gathering of believers is a spiritual gathering and must be esteemed with fear, honour and dignity.
[Hebrews 12:22-24 KJV] “But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel”.
If God is everywhere and seek true worshippers to worship Him in truth and in spirit, then why should we waste precious hours coming together in church? Why don’t we just stay home and pratice our faith there? After all, you can call upon God from wherever you are. Well, coming together as a church is so important because where two or three are gather in His name, God is there.
When we are alone God is in us but when we come together, God comes to be with us and among us.
Now, when we come together, there is a way we must behave ourselves in the house of God. This is simply household ettiquette. Apostle Paul taught Timothy to know how to behave himself in the house of the Lord if he (apostle Paul) delays in coming. Timothy needed to know how to behave himself in the house of God, which is the grounds and pillar of truth.
[1 Timothy 3:14-16 KJV] “These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory”.
How then should we behave ourselves in the house of God, which is the church of the living God; the pillar and grounds of truth. We must all understand that when we are coming together, we are gathering to;
Pray:
Prayer is the key thing we must do together when we meet in the house of God. We come to church to pray together for more power and fortification “And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves” [Mark 11:17 KJV]
The house of the Lord shall be called of all nations a house of prayer. Praying is therefore one of the key things we must do together when we meet.
Break bread:
We come together to break bread; The Cup of Blessing which we partake is a means to recieve and inherit eternal life. We must honour the communion, which is the Lord’s Table. It is our secret to health, liberation, and prosperity.
“When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord’s supper. For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken. What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not” [1 Corinthians 11:20-22 KJV]
To be taught and edified:
We come to church to be taught and edified. We come to learn how to live by the way, the truth, and the life. The fellowship meetings are a great time to be taught, instructed, and to learn. A fool despises wisdom and knowledge but the wise honour it.
“If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth. How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God” [1 Corinthians 14:23-28 KJV]
Give:
We come to church to give our offering as the Lord has prospered us.
You must purpose and plan your offerings. We come to church to give to support the ministry. 2 Corinthians 8 and 9 teaches this clearly.
“Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem” [1 Corinthians 16:1-3 KJV]
Praise and worship
We come to church to offer the sacrifice of praise together. Hebrews 13 teaches this clearly. We must come with thanksgiving in our hearts. The courts of the almighty is the best place to offer praises and thangiving.
“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord , all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations” [Psalms 100:1-5 KJV]
I believe we will obey the scriptures and not forsake the assembling together of ourselves.
“And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries”. [Hebrews 10:24-27 KJV]
Stay blessed; I love you!
Simpe Bediako 