Fellowship with One Another 2

Hebrews 10:23-25

In my job as a consultant I once had to go to Lexington, Kentucky for most of a week. I thought it was terrible. The hotel seemed cheap. There was nothing to do. I was unhappy.

A few days into the job my wife came down and joined me. She pointed out how nice the hotel was. She showed me places to visit while in town. The business trip which had started so badly suddenly became kind of fun. What was different? I wasn’t alone any more.

Living a life of faith and trying to get along in the world sometimes can feel like a battle, a contest where you are the one pushed and pulled in this direction and that. And it can seem as if we are each on our own, alone in this conflict.

But we are not alone. Not only has Jesus promised to be with us in all things, we are part of a family of faith who is also on our side.

What does the author of Hebrews encourage in verse 23? What is encouraged in verse 24? Verse 25?

While it is true that an individual can worship the Lord in the privacy of his or her own home, and it is true that a person does not need to be part of a larger church to make that connection with God, there is something to be said of worshiping with others. God calls us to be in fellowship with one another. I believe God is pleased with all forms of worship, but I also believe there are times when God desires worship that comes from a larger family of faith.

By being part of a larger group which gathers to learn and worship, we can find enrichment, encouragement and guidance. We can find a fuller faith, a deeper relationship in Christ when we are part of a larger group which worships.

It is easier to hold unswervingly to our hope when we are surrounded by others who are also hopeful. It is easier to show love and do good deeds when we are encouraged by our brothers and sisters in faith. Let us encourage one another and meet together in Christian fellowship as often as we can.

DAILY CHALLENGE: Are you part of a regular time of worship? Can you help others attend more frequently?