25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together,
Some believers to whom Hebrews was written were about to break fellowship with their Christian brothers. Christians should never abandon meeting together. One purpose for meeting together is to meet each other’s spiritual needs. There is a biblical basis for corporate assembling together as Christians. This congregate of believers is a foretaste of heaven itself.
as is the manner of some,
Some reversionists that wanted to go back to temple worship were about to abandon fellowship in their church. Some were already deserting the local church.
but exhorting one another,
“Exhorting” has to do with communicating the Word of God to the church. In this case it is an encouragement about the Second Coming of Christ. Motivation to exhort other believers has an inherent incentive in view that Christ will come again.
and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
The “Day approaching” is the future coming of Christ again. The coming of Christ has an ethical effect on the believer who anticipates that Day.
PRINCIPLE:
Christians must view their future as a certainty.
APPLICATION:
This second reference to the Second Coming of Christ in Hebrews is a motivation for maintaining our confidence or “hope” in God’s promises. If Christians treat their future in light of what Christ will do, then it will affect how they live day to day.
Corporate worship is not an option for Christians. The purpose behind Christian assembly is to encourage and build believers. Fundamental to the function of a church is that Christians help Christians. We help people who struggle with their faith. Where this does not happen, the church turns against itself with blame and divisive attitudes and actions towards each other. Out of this will arise a deadening church dull of divine dynamics.
Dear Grant,
Thank you for this exposition of Heb. 10:25. I have four health problems that restrict my lifestyle. I am a caregiver for my mother who has dementia. I work full time. I am lucky if I have 30 minutes of free time each day. So I have not been active in church for some time. I can’t cut back on my responsibilities, and I can’t change my health issues. Also, contracting an illness would be dangerous for me and my family, so I avoid social contact. I am so tired that I struggle to stay awake at work and while live-streaming a local worship service. Am I required to be active in church despite all of this?
John, there is no such requirements for church members in the Bible. Some churches may have a rule about that but I do not think there is any biblical justification for it. I am a caregiver of my wife and we go to church virtually, but we continue to do what we can with the opportunities God has given us. I think the only thing God expects of you is to do what you can with what you have.