209. HEB 10:25. IMPORTANCE OF PUBLIC WORSHIP, &C

Heb_10:25. Importance of Public Worship, &C

"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."’97Heb_10:25.

The apostle having exhorted believers to steadfastness in their profession, and to mutual consideration and affectionate provocation, he now admonishes them to avoid an evil, into which some had fallen, viz. that of neglecting the assemblies of the saints, and to this he annexes the necessity of spiritual exhortation, and so much the more as they saw the day approaching.

The text contains,

I. An Admonition.

II. A Duty. And,

III. Supplies a powerful Motive.

Notice, I. The Admonition given. "Not to forsake the assembling," &c.

From this admonition it is manifest,

1. That to assemble together is a Christian duty.

Old Testament saints did so. Ancient rural altars. Tabernacle. Afterwards temple. Christ frequented the synagogues and temple, Luk_4:16. Christ’s disciples were thus assembled when Jesus appeared to them after his resurrection. Also they were thus assembled at the day of Pentecost. Paul waited at Troas until the brethren came together, Act_20:5-7. This duty is clearly implied in that promise, "Where two or three are met," &c. And obviously in the text. Notice,

2. Some who profess attachment to Christ’s cause neglect this duty.

"As the manner of some is." We do not wonder that infidels, the profane, and worldlings should do so. But many who are Christians by profession are also guilty of this. Some are once-a-day worshippers; all their services are crowded within little more than an hour; the res of the day devoted to pleasure, &c. Others are fine-weather worshippers; while many are merely fancy-worshippers, and go to he Lord’s house just when it may please them. Great reason is obvious, no spiritual relish, only a name to live, &c. Only form of godliness, &c.

3. That it is of the utmost importance that we do not thus forsake the assembly of ourselves together.

(1) On God’s account, who demands and infinitely deserves our service. We meet in his house, we read his word, declare his gospel, sing his praise, &c. In forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, we pour contempt on all these God is a jealous God.

(2) On the church’s account. The church is to be visible. A visible building; all the stones united together. A city’97a family’97a flock’97an army. This can only be by the real and public union of the Lord’s people, and is effected by their assembling together. To neglect this, therefore, is to weaken her energies, to sadden the hearts, and cause the hands of the pious to hang down.

(3) We ought "not to forsake," &c. Especially on our own account. We are deeply interested in these assemblies. Our holiness, comfort, and usefulness are identified with them. God can dispense with us and all our engagements, but we cannot. Our knowledge is yet imperfect’97our faith feeble’97our hope clouded’97our love languid’97our graces weakly. We might "forsake," &c., if we had no mercies to acknowledge’97no sins to confess’97no blessings to crave’97no enemies to overcome’97no soul to sanctify’97no hell to escape’97no heaven to gain.

Observe in the text,

II. A specific Duty stated. "But exhorting one another."

Our mutual presence in the Lord’s house is a silent, yet powerful exhortation of itself. But the text shows that we are to feel deeply interested in each other’s welfare, and hence avail ourselves of our public meetings to exhort each other, &c.

We should exhort each other.

1. To watchfulness and vigilance "Be sober," &c. "Watch ye, stand fast." "Let us not sleep," &c. "Be ye also ready."

2. To determination and constancy.

Our condition, and enemies, and duties all require this. "Be strong," &c. "Hold fast the profession," &c. "Be not moved," &c. "Hold fast that which thou hast," &c.

3. To zeal and diligence.

"That we abound yet more and more," &c. "Sow plentifully." "Give all diligence," &c. "It is good to be zealously affected," &c.

4. To courage and perseverance.

"Be of good courage," &c. "Be faithful unto death," &c. "War a good warfare," &c. "Fight the good fight," &c. Now we must exhort each other; all stand in need of it, however profoundly learned, highly gifted; however extensive our know-edge, experience, or rich in graces, we all stand in need of exhortation. And, in exhorting each other, we must do it with all faithfulness, affection, and with much prayer.

Observe the text,

III. Supplies a Powerful Motive. "As ye see the day approaching."

Doubtless referring literally to the day of the destruction of Jerusalem, when the disciples would be exposed to the calamities predicted by the Saviour, Matthew 24, and be scattered and persecuted over the face of the world.

At the time this epistle was written, that day was very near, and the disciples were watching for it. The day of death is before us. A day which will close our probation, terminate our scene of labor, and end all our privileges.

1. The day is approaching.

Our years, and months, and weeks roll round, and every one is bringing us nearer to the eternal world. It cannot be far from any, and it may be most awfully near to some. It is approaching, and will surely not tarry.

2. This day is truly a momentous one. Then ends all connection with earth and men; with the means of grace and Christian fellowship on earth. Then summer is ended, and harvest past. No throne of grace or preached gospel beyond. All fixed and eternal.

3. The believer sees the day approaching.

That is, he never loses sight of that truth. He acts in reference to it. In prayer he geeks a meetness for its solemn results. He watches for that day; believes, and lives with it before him.

Application

Learn,

1. The place of the Christian’s delight will be God’s house. His heart is there, and he rejoices to go up to the house of the Lord. He cannot, without violence to his soul, "forsake," &c.

2. From our present circumstances, we all stand in need of exhortation. See 1Th_5:11; 2Ti_4:2; Heb_3:13

3. We cannot fail to be stimulated, both to diligence and to faithfulness, if we keep the truth before us’97that the day is approaching.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS