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Missing Something?
We had an elders and preachers meeting this past Tuesday night. I have always appreciated the fact that our shepherds include the preachers in their monthly meetings. The Scriptures make it clear that our roles in the local church are not the same. The elders are charged to “take heed to yourselves and to the flock” (Acts 20:28) while the preacher is instructed to “take heed to yourself and to your teaching” (1 Tim. 4:16). But I find it easier to give careful attention to my preaching when I am aware of what the current needs of the flock are.
Sadly, one of the issues that the elders discuss in every meeting is how to encourage people to attend the services more regularly. Not those who cannot come due to health reasons or other emergencies that arise. But those who, week after week, offer excuses as to why they can’t assemble with the saints.
This is a problem that goes as far back as the church in New Testament times. In Hebrews 10:25, the part we focus on is “not forsaking our own assembling together.” But the very next phrase says, “as is the habit of some.” Some, even in the First Century, were already making a habit of turning their back on the worship service.
If people only knew what they miss when they miss the services.
You miss out on the privilege of praise. Sometimes, our language reflects that we don’t see worship in this way. When invited to a Sunday morning golf game or a Wednesday night movie, a common response is, “I HAVE to go to church.” This is often said with the same enthusiasm of, “I have to go to the dentist” or “I have to get the oil changed.” In other words, “If it were up to me, I’d do something else.” Worship ought to be viewed as our privilege, a WANT TO instead of HAVE TO.
Israel sang, “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord’” (Psa. 122:1). That was one of their Song of Ascents, a psalm they sang as they climbed Mount Zion to go to Jerusalem and worship. They were glad to do that in response to all that God had done for them. How much more should we, recipients of the blood of Christ, be willing to sacrifice whatever it takes to commemorate His death and offer our thanksgiving and praise for His gift. Remember, Jesus didn’t HAVE to go to cross for you.
You miss out on the opportunity to overcome. The worship service is our escape from the world, our haven. In fact, we often pray during the assembly that the Lord will help us “put away the thoughts and cares of the world and concentrate on what we are doing.” Have you ever come to services tired or worried or discouraged, feeling the weight of the world on your shoulders? And afterward, on the way to the car, you said to yourself, “I’m sure glad I came.” That’s what worship is supposed to do.
In the same context of “not forsaking our own assembling together,” the writer of Hebrews instructs us, “let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds” (Heb. 10:24-25). That implies that one of the purposes of assembling together is our own stimulation and encouragement. When you engage in a spiritual activity with those who are just like you, you are assured that you are not alone in the fight. You are given the opportunity to overcome your difficulties instead of being overcome by them.
You miss out on the obligation to give. Worship has become all about getting. “I didn’t get anything out of that,” says the one who looks like he rolled out of bed and onto the pew. Perhaps the first question ought to be, “what did you give?” What did you give to the Lord? What did you give to your fellow worshipers? What did you give to the visitor?
Paul wrote that one of the effects of worshiping rightly is that the unbeliever “will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you” (1 Cor. 14:24-25). How can you fulfill this duty when you are not there? Why should visitors want to return when they see the empty seats of members who do not value their own responsibilities. It’s not just about you. You have an obligation to give, which might mean you have to give up some other competing activity or appointment.
The worship service prepares us for what we will do in eternity. While we have the opportunity, let us not forsake this taste of heaven on earth.
