Our Wednesday morning Bible study group has been discussing every book of the Bible in an overview format for the past year and a half. Recently, we discussed the book of Hebrews, an anonymous early church epistle which was written especially to guide Jewish Christians in their understanding of the Person of Jesus and in what it means to walk by faith in Him. We had a great discussion around one passage in particular, Hebrews 10:23-25: “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir 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.”

The church exists wherever the Holy Spirit calls people to believe in Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Because of this, the church can be described as “invisible” in the sense that we cannot exactly see faith in someone’s heart. At the same time, believers in Christ gather with one another as members of His Body. Immediately after Jesus’ ascension to heaven, the disciples began gathering together on a regular basis, both in the temple in Jerusalem and in an upper room where they were staying (Luke 24:53; Acts 1:13). The rest of the New Testament likewise assumes that believers will gather with one another in their communities. This first began with house churches, in which a few dozen believers could congregate at a time for Sunday services. 

The Greek word which the New Testament uses for “church,” ekklesia, refers to the “assembly.” In other words, the church, properly speaking, is the gathering of Christ’s people. It’s no wonder then that the writer to the Hebrews reminded both the early believers and Christians of all generations that we ought not neglect meeting together. It’s one of the most essential practices of the Christian faith.

In a time of history in which there is so little regard for “organized religion,” the simple message of Hebrews chapter 10 continues to speak to us. Despite the various objections we may have, its message remains. Don’t go it alone. We need one another. Join your brothers and sisters in Christ, both in the Lord’s house and in other settings throughout the week. Here are four specific reasons for our meeting together:

First, we need to hear the reading, preaching, and teaching of God’s Word. Yes, we ought to be pondering Scripture devotionally in our homes, but we also need to hear the Word proclaimed to us from outside ourselves. This is one of the main reasons that Christ provides pastors for His church, and it’s my privilege that I get to proclaim His Law and Gospel week after week. The more we take in Christ’s Word together, the more we can “hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering” (Hebrews 10:23).

Second, we need to receive Christ’s forgiveness, both through His Absolution and through His Body and Blood. The truth is, God has not promised to forgive our sins through watching TV, traveling, running errands, sleeping in, or whatever else we may do with our time. He has promised, however, to pour out His forgiveness through Confession and Absolution (John 20:22-23) and through the gifts of His Body and Blood in Holy Communion (Matthew 26:26-28). Because we continue to wrestle with sin and temptation as long as we live in this world, we need the forgiveness that Christ continues to offer through His means of grace.

Third, we meet together to be an encouragement to our fellow believers. Thankfully, this doesn’t have to be complicated. Singing the hymns, sharing Christ’s peace, asking folks how they’re doing, letting someone know you are praying for him or her, meeting and welcoming a visitor, taking someone out to coffee, or having them over for a meal, and other simple actions like these are all ways in which any of us can be an encouragement. 

Fourth, we also gather so that we may receive encouragement from fellow Christians. As the writer of Hebrews mentioned, the Last Day is always drawing nearer (Hebrews 10:25). All of us as Christians need encouragement as we navigate these end times. And Christ provides. Martin Luther writes in the Smalcald Articles that one of the ways God’s grace comes to us is “through the mutual conversation and consolation of the brethren.” In other words, God Himself works through our brothers and sisters in Christ as they comfort us, challenge us, listen to us, share their experiences with us, and more. As Hebrews 10:24 also says to us, we need Christian friends around us to help stir us up to continue walking in Christian love and good works.

As always, thank you for reading. I look forward to meeting together soon!

Peace in Christ,

            Pastor Kory Janneke