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NASB | Hebrews 10:25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Hebrews 10:25 not forsaking our meeting together [as believers for worship and instruction], as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more [faithfully] as you see the day [of Christ's return] approaching. |
Subject: "and so much the more" Heb. 10:25 Part 1 |
Bible Note: Part 3: As we look at the Church in America we see many things. Our pastor, at the church that Jen and I attend, mentioned a statistic that was brought up in a Promise Keepers meeting. “Throughout the last 15 years, 500 Billion Dollars has been poured into domestic missions, and yet we are not seeing any increase in adults being born-again.” Is this totally accurate? This I’m not sure of, although I feel there is reason to believe this is the case. Back in the 1st. Century Christian Church, believers were constantly meeting, and constantly entering into fellowship with each other. Today in America, Sunday evening services are rare, and a vast minority of the Church attends weekly Bible Studies. I would even venture to say that some weekly Bible Studies may only have 1 to maybe 15 percent of the regular church attendees on a Sunday Morning. (Please do not quote me on that statistic; it is just how it seems.) Alter calls are also very rarely done, although there are still a few churches that have these. This leads us into the first section of this phrase: “and so much the more…” This is of course the part I desire to focus in on. In the 1st. Century Church believers were joining together not just in study of the scriptures, but in prayer and in worship. They were joining together to speak against the evils, and to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. There was boldness like is rarely seen in this day and age. People were willing to suffer and die, to fellowship with each other, exhort each other, and to lead others to the truth of God’s Holy Word. These believers did not let the persecution they faced hold them back from serving the Lord Jesus Christ. As we look at the Church of America we see that believers are not gathering together “so much the more.” We again look at today, and I don’t even know where to start. Instead of joining together in fellowship the majority of Churches, here in America, have pulled away. Many people have gone to the belief that all that matters is what we believe. We don’t have to keep the commandment to: “not forsake the assembling of ourselves together.” I will often hear people, as I’m sure others of you do as well, say: “The best way to worship God in my opinion is to go up to a mountain all alone. Pastor Scot, the pastor of the church Jen and I attend, has been informing us for the last couple of weeks, that a church, which Magnolia Bible Church considers a sister church over in Kassadar, Russia, (forgive the spelling) is in the process of planting another church. I don’t know how many people are attending this church, but they are on fire to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It’s true that you see many small churches pop up throughout our country, but more often then not, it is caused due to a church split, because a pastor says or does something that the congregation either disagrees with, is wrong, or the people simply do not like to be convicted on by the Holy Spirit. As I watch all that is happening in our country, especially within the Church, my heart is in great distress. Many prominent denominations have decided instead of preaching the true, infallible Word of God that they will change some of the things they disagree with. Even here in Magnolia, there is a pastor of a local church who does not believe that the Bible is infallible. There are churches/denominations that have decided that Homosexuality is okay, and not a sin. There are as many supporters in the church of abortion as there are of people who are against it. Some of the values that our country were founded on are being challenged left and right. School Boards, States, and even representatives of the Federal Government desire to change to rules in regards to Freedom of Religion, instead they want to make it Freedom from Religion. If a person expresses faith in Jesus Christ they are shunned, and rejected, called religious fanatics, or bigots. So many people will remain silent when they are asked whether or not they believe in Christ. Are we exhorting one another, are we assembling together to speak against the evils that are so predominant in society? NO! Instead we hide, and cower. Instead of voting, many religious individuals decide, “Since God is in control I don’t need to vote.” |