Today's Word of Encouragement (6/15/2020)
As we plan to go back to our public worship, let us prepare for it by reflecting on the importance of public worship. A good place to begin is Heb. 10:19-25:
“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 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.”
We are called not to neglect to meet together (v. 25). The Hebrews writer is not just talking about our casual, fellowship meetings with one another in our homes or restaurants. For sure, we should do that, too, as time allows. Actually, we should be intentional in getting together and fellowship with one another. But the Hebrews writer is talking mainly of our public worship. That is the context of this passage—entering the holy places by the blood of Jesus (v. 19), the house of God (v. 21), drawing near to God, (v. 22), etc.
Some of you have told me how much more difficult it has been to worship virtually, especially those who have little ones to take care of. Others told me that it just didn’t feel right to stare into the screen for worship. But there may be some of us who found it much easier to worship God in the comfort of our living room without having to get dressed up and drive to church. But I trust that none of us would allow it to become a habit and neglect meeting together!
Why should we be intentional about getting together weekly for our worship? Before we talk about the reasons that the Hebrews writer is giving in this passage, let’s briefly talk about what church is. As many of you know, the Greek word for “church” is ekklesia, which means an officially summoned assembly. Important in this definition is the idea of being summoned, or called. We know who it is that is issuing the call: God. He is calling us into His presence. From where? Not just from our homes. If we can come into His presence, it is only because He delivered us from sin and guilt. For no sinner can enter into the presence of a holy God.
And why does God summon us together in an official assembly? The main reason is for worship. As John Piper said, “Missions exists because worship doesn’t. Worship is ultimate, not missions, because God is ultimate, not man. When this age is over, and the countless millions of the redeemed fall on their faces before the throne of God, missions will be no more. It is a temporary necessity. But worship abides forever.” We can say that we have been saved so we can worship God.
But the Hebrews writer is reminding us that worship is not just an individual activity but also a corporate one. Jesus came to build His church. Church is an officially summoned assembly. We are saved not merely as individuals; we are saved as members of the body of Christ. We must affirm this truth by getting together for our weekly worship. What a blessing it is to be reminded of our wonderful salvation and a holy community into which we have been saved! Let us look forward to resuming our public worship!