Posts made in February, 2022


“So we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.” Rom. 12:5 It is sad how many professing Christians think it is of little significance to assemble at a local church, especially on the Lord’s Day, opting rather to “live-stream” the service.  Oftentimes, they will use the minutest inconvenience to stay home and “watch” sermons from comfortable sofas.  Tragically, they see no harm being done by this practice, either to themselves or to fellow believers.  Such thinking, however, is seriously flawed, unbiblical, and in fact, sinful.  It is true, that there are some saints too infirmed to attend church services and for health reasons, who need to stay home.  However, very few situations (besides illness or other serious issues) ought to hinder the Christian from gathering to worship the Lord.  A former pastor of mine would often say: “Unless one is providentially hindered, he or she ought to attend a scheduled church service.”   Nearly one-hundred and fifty years ago, C.H. Spurgeon said: “Persons go out on Monday to business who cannot go out on Sunday.  It is raining on Sunday, and it is very curious how rain on Sunday will keep some people in; their health is so weak, though the same rain on Monday does not affect them at all in that particular way.  Have you never observed how some persons appear to be periodically ill on Sundays?  That seems to be a favorite day for being ill.”1 In the epistle of Hebrews, the writer exhorted the letters recipients: “and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Heb. 10:24-25).   It is clear by this passage that Christian love for one another should be the catalyst for the church assembling.  Moreover, how would it be possible to “stimulate one another to love and good deeds”, if fellowshipping is avoided?  There are numerous NT passages that are not direct commands, but allude to why the assembling of the church is essential.    For example, all believing members are gifted differently (Rom. 12:4, 6), and the many members make up one unified body (a local church): so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.” (Rom. 12:5, cf. 1 Cor. 12:14).  Also, saints are instructed to use their various gifts to serve one another: “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold...

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