Holy Assemblies Required

Assuming you are adherent of a Judeo-Christian faith, your participation in a weekly sabbath service isn't optional. A weekly gathering of God's people is a cornerstone of both Judaism and Christianity, and rightfully so. The Sabbath is important enough that God placed it among the Ten Commandments, but many people tend to think that it’s optional. Sadly, for some the Fourth Commandment has become nothing more than the "Fourth Suggestion." 

For those of us who embrace the whole Bible, we read that the Sabbath was always intended to be a weekly "holy assembly" (Lev. 23:3). And, in case there's any doubt, the original Hebrew word for "assembly" ‘miqra’ means literally "a call to a public gathering." As such, it is impossible to keep the Sabbath while choosing to remain alone. Assembly is required. 

And before moving on, let's address a commonly used Sabbath alternative: Staying home with your family doesn't quite fulfill the command. A "public gathering" has to be just that: public. If you invite your family and friends to gather each week and welcome others to join as a home fellowship, this can be counted as a public gathering. On the other hand, if you have only your spouse and small children, you will be sorely lacking the wisdom that comes from an outside opinion and perspective. We need to make sure that we are doing more than just the basics of "keeping the Sabbath." Reach out for more, so you can assemble with others outside of your circle of immediate influence. 
 

While going to church won't necessarily make you a better believer, it is absolutely part of what makes you an obedient Christian. 

Now, for those who fancy themselves as strictly "New Testament believers," consider this... Jesus kept the Fourth Commandment by going to synagogues on the Sabbath “as was His custom” (Luke 4:16). Jesus did everything right, and as His followers, we are supposed to emulate Him. So be like Jesus and keep the Sabbath by going to a public assembly. 

What's more, how can you claim to be part of the "Holy Assembly" if you're choosing to not assemble? The "Church" (ekklesia, in Greek), by literal definition is an "assembly." To be Holy as God is Holy, assembly is required, that is why He asks it of us (Exodus 12, Leviticus 23, Numbers 28), and when we do so, our relationships outside of the assembly, such as our marriages, can flourish. 

How So? 

Studies (such as the IFS ‘Better Together: Religious Attendance, Gender, and Relationship Quality’) show that couples that attend church together are happier in their marriages. Why? Because in addition to spiritual stimulation and growth, churches provide couples with shared experiences and intentional quality time, the two necessities for relational intimacy. Perhaps even more importantly, congregations also provide a social network of positive peer pressure and accountability that generally reinforces marriages and families. 

Despite the many reasons and benefits of assembling each week, many believers have developed excuses based on previous experiences for why they choose to avoid attendance. Let's take a look at a few commonly stated reasons: 

"My church isn't good enough." 

Let’s be honest, while most people wouldn't phrase it this bluntly, this sentiment is unfortunately and overwhelmingly popular. Frankly, it's a lazy excuse. Maybe the music isn't that great. Maybe the preacher isn’t as robust from the pulpit or delivers some shallow messages from time to time. Maybe the seating isn’t quite to your liking. Maybe the theology leaves a bit to be desired. Regardless, nowhere in Scripture are these objections given as clauses to excuse ourselves from our obligation to assemble each week. 

"I don't think I’m getting anything from it." 

Have you ever heard the phrase “You get out what you put in”? Sometimes you aren’t getting anything from it your attendance because you aren’t getting involved. A church/congregational relationship is like any other relationship and requires more than just quality time. Church requires of everyone:  
Words - verbal proclamations of growth. Acts of Service - also known as volunteering. Stack chairs, greet, help make the coffee, grab a broom… give help to get help. 
Gifts - donations and tithes are great, but the Church/congregation/fellowship also requires us to use our gifts for the others in our congregation. 

"There isn't a church around here that believes like I do." 

Unfortunately, most people aren’t in the position to just up and move to be a part of a more like-minded fellowship. So, for most of us, this excuse is a reason for self-reflection. Are our differences SO large that we cannot meet under the shared perspective that Jesus (Yeshua) is the Messiah and God is our Heavenly Father? The Bible says that we have to assemble. The fact that we all have some different opinions and perspectives is what can make assembling so great. Think of the church body like an actual body. If you are a leg and you only meet with other legs… not much is getting done. We need arms, hands, feet, legs, and we even need some butts.  

"The pastor doesn't share my beliefs or doesn’t respect my opinion." 

And Christ went to synagogues where the leaders literally wanted to kill him. Is your situation that or worse? Probably not. Friction is a naturally occurring reaction when two objects have an applied force. When we are the guilty party for causing the friction with the pastor, we need to take a step back and ask “is this a core salvation issue or a conflict of doctrinal ideology?”  

"Our weekends are just too busy." 

Unfortunately, what this is saying is basically “My obedience to the commands of God is directly affected by the things that I have personal control over, and I would rather be in control than submit to God.”  Now, outside of medical reasons, family vacation (you can still attend a service at a local church while on vacation), or any emergencies, in this response we have to understand that we put our personal priorities above assembling. Please consider praying about this if you feel convicted, this is between you and the Lord. 

"The people in the churches are hypocrites." 

So, go and be a good influence as a living example. Not in a haughty way, but to help them see through your actions (not words) where they are hypocritical. Also, we must make sure that we do not call others hypocrites before evaluating our lives for any hypocrisy. When we say that we're keeping the Sabbath but refuse to ever assemble, we've proven that we absolutely are guilty of hypocrisy. Please also keep in mind that we are all sinners and have ALL fallen short of the grace of God. Everyone in church is trying to create or maintain a relationship with the Almighty. 

“I attend Church online” 

As believers, we are not permitted to opt-out of assembling. An area that has rising popularity as an alternate option for assembling is Online Service. Many congregations have online communities including live streams of their services, online giving, etc. Unless we are physically unable to attend in person, we cannot choose convenience over community. Our attendance and participation are a divine expectation. No matter your age and the generation you belong to, we can all agree that having a conversation in person is different and far superior (even for most introverts) to talking online or via text.  

As previously stated, nowhere in Scripture are objections given as cause to excuse us from our obligation to assemble each week. So, what is the opposite of not assembling? Consider Hebrews 10:25,  

“…not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”  

Encouragement is the result of assembly. It is an encouragement to not just the leaders of the congregation that they are doing what God called them to, but it is an encouragement to the whole church body. It says we are not alone and that we are in this together.  

Scripture states that “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” (Matt. 18:20). When we assemble as believers, we get to have God in our midst, we get to experience his presence. 
 
Be blessed and be encouraged to experience the presence of God in your local community of faith. Get yourself to a church this week and every single week.