Friends Get Together
Human beings place
value on material things; we become willing to sacrifice the feelings, comfort,
well-being and happiness of others in order to obtain them. We sacrifice and work to build up our
"treasures". But if we visit
the city dump, we can see people bringing in truckloads of things that were
once shiny and new, things that people thought would make them happy.
Jesus told us that "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be
also." Matthew 6:21. As we become closer and closer to God, we begin to place value on
things differently. We begin to see that
as God's glory is his people, so our treasure is in each other. We cannot take one item with us from this
world to the next, but our family and friends in Christ will be our treasures
for all eternity!
God made us in his
image, capable and wanting fellowship and communion. Let us learn more about God's practical
program to help us when we are discouraged, to learn more about him, and to
learn to love one another.
A HOLY CONVOCATION
1. On the Sabbath day in
ancient
Leviticus 23:3
Note: The word "convocation" is translated from the
Hebrew word "misqua," which means an "assembly" or
"Public meeting." This was one
of the main ways they kept the Sabbath holy, by the Lord's own command.
We cannot truly
obey the command to "remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy" if we
fail to obey the Lord's instructions regarding public worship on His holy
Sabbath day. His desire is that we meet
together in worship.
2. Does the New Testament
give us similar instructions regarding meeting together for worship and
fellowship?
Hebrews 10:25
Note: Paul said that we are not to forsake the gathering of ourselves
together. He said that we are especially
not to do this as we see the day approaching.
That day is fast approaching, and we need the blessing that comes from
group study and discussion of the Bible, and from hearing the Word preached.
3. How does faith come?
Romans 10:17
Note: Something special happens when the Lord's Word is preached in his
Church. Hearing the Word preached gives
us faith! If we neglect this
Heaven-ordained method of increasing our faith, we will suffer loss of
spirituality.
At church we can
hear testimonies that encourage us in our Christian walk. We need this.
If we neglect it, we endanger ourselves.
4. Was it Jesus' custom to
meet with His people every Sabbath?
Luke 4:16
Note: There was only one temple in
The Greek word
translated "church" in the New Testament is the word "ekklesia"
and means "those called out" or "a religious
congregation".
5. What did the disciples
do that allowed the Holy Spirit to come down on Pentecost?
Acts 2:1-4
Note: The disciples were instructed to wait together, and to pray
together to receive the Holy Spirit (see Acts 1:4). This was Jesus' command to them. We miss out on so much when we stay away from
Church! It is essential that we make
church attendance a priority in our lives.
6. What if my family
members do not like my attending church?
Should this keep me away?
Matthew 10:37
Note: Jesus instructed all believers to meet together with the brethren
in church. If a member of our family
tells us that he or she does not want us to go to church, we must choose whom
we should obey: Jesus or that person. No
one has the right to force or coerce another to not worship God in the way that
He said. Love means respecting another's
feelings and beliefs. Sometimes church
attendance in a divided home requires us to bear a "cross" by standing
up for Jesus and his church, yet it must be done. See Matthew 10:35-39. Also, a spouse will never be converted as
long as he or she sees that your faith is not even important enough for you to
take a stand on. It is for this reason
that many spouses and family members are never won to the Lord.
If we allow him to,
the enemy will offer us a thousand and one excuses for not attending
church. But God's Word tells us not to
forsake the gathering of ourselves together.
7. What does Jesus promise to those who put him above all others?
Luke 18:29-30
8. What is the Church called in Colossians
1:24?
Note: A baptized church member is part of the body of Christ. A part of any body ceases to live when
separated from the rest of the body. If
you have several red hot coals burning in a fireplace, and you take one out and
place it by itself, it will go out and grow cold. In the same way, if you separate yourself
from the Lord's church by not attending prayer meeting and worship services,
your spiritual light will surely go out in darkness, and you will grow cold in
the things of God.
9. What is the Church the "pillar and ground" of?
I Timothy 3:15
Note: We are to attend the church that preaches and teaches the
TRUTH! This means it must be a
church that preaches Jesus, for he is the truth (John 14:6). See Psalm119:142
It must also be a church that preaches ALL
the word of God, for his word is also the truth—see John 17:17.
10. Who should we take to
church with us regularly?
Matthew 19:14
Note: At church your children may learn more about Jesus. They will be taught at Sabbath School with
those of their own age level and be taught by dedicated Christian teachers who
love Jesus and His word, and love your children, too!
Family worship at
home is the most important place they may learn, but it cannot replace the
group dynamics of church Sabbath school classes and worship services. Your children need this, too.
11. How does God
"manifest" his word to us?
Tutus 1:3
Note: If you are not in church when the Word is preached, then it
cannot be manifested to you as God planned for your benefit.
12. What does the Lord do
for those who believe the things that are preached?
I Corinthians 1:21
Note: If you want to help the Lord convert someone, then encourage that
person to attend church. It pleases God
to use the "foolishness" of preaching to save souls.
13. In his book, the
prophet Joel warns us about being ready for the great day of the Lord's
return. What does the Lord instruct his
people to do when this time draws near?
Joel 2:15-16
Note: The Lord calls his people to meet in prayer and fellowship to
prepare for his Son's return. That is
another important reason to "gather" together, to call the
"elders" and to bring the "children"! We learn about God in Church. We are moved by the Spirit in the
church. We and our children are baptized
in the church. We need the
14. What if I do not get
along with certain people at church?
Matthew 5:22-24
Note: Not everyone in the church will be saved (Matthew 25:1-13,
Matthew
15. What does the apostle
Paul say the Lord will do for his church?
Matthew 5:26,27
Note: We have the Lord's wonderful promise to purify his people, even
us! Read Malachi 3:2-4
CONCLUSION
"And it shall be from new moon to new moon and
from sabbath to sabbath, all mankind will come to bow down before me, says the
Lord." Isaiah 66:23
The Lord invites
you to come to worship him in fellowship with his other children, as we will do
for eternity. Do you endeavor to come
before the Lord to praise him?
My response to Christ is:______________________________