FORSAKE NOT THE ASSEMBLY

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1 THE ATLANTIS PROCLAIMER NOVEMBER 16, 2014 ********************************************** preacher s penpoints FORSAKE NOT THE ASSEMBLY Raymond A. Leonard The world is changing and not necessarily for the better. There was a time when a man s word meant something, when a man s word was his bond. Sadly today for the most part a man s word is next to worthless, for they speak making commitments, reaching agreements with no intention of fulfilling them. People today seem to be determined to follow their own way, plans, etc. without giving any thought to fulfilling the commitments they have made or in meeting the responsibilities that they have. Marriages, which according to God is a lifelong commitment are entered into and then dissolved at will; workers fail to show up for work on a regular basis even though they commit themselves to be there; bills or debts go unpaid or are paid weeks late because few seems to be concerned with faithfully meeting their commitments. When was the last time every Christian showed up at every service of their local congregation? Every Sunday morning, Sunday evening, and Wednesday night hundreds of thousands of Christians are faced with a great dilemma. For you see they have to decide whether they are going to meet their commitment to God and assemble with the saints, or if they are going to deliberately forsake assembling with the saints so that they may engage in some worldly activity of sin or pleasure. This decision should in reality not need to be made. For when one becomes a Christian they surrender their will for God s, and God s will is that His people assemble together as often as the local church has scheduled services or activities. Sadly many brethren do not understand the seriousness of their commitment to God, or the seriousness of willfully forsaking the assembly. The writer of the Hebrew letter reveals to us that when a child of God forsakes the assembling of the saints, they have sinned and further more they have sinned willfully, knowingly, deliberately (Heb. 10:25,26). When we stay home from services to entertain guests; to go visit family and friends; in order to participate in some worldly event; or simply to sleep in we are guilty of sin, because we know that this is not God s will and we have chosen to deliberately violate or lay aside God s will for our own. This deliberate or willful sin does not apply when we miss the assembly of the saints due to events or circumstances over which we have no control; sickness, hospital stays, necessary travel, or work schedules, unless of course we choose to work an extra shift or over time instead of fulfilling our commitment to God. The seriousness of deliberating failing to assemble with the saints is seen not only in the fact that the Bible calls such action sin. Its seriousness is reflected equally strong when the Bible states that for those who are guilty of sinning willfully, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sin (Heb. 10:26b). This act of reckless rebellion causes the one who deliberately engages in sin to lose the only sacrifice there is for sin. Our action of deliberately forsaking the assembling of the saints during scheduled services is seen as

2 Atlantis Church of Christ + Jacona & Kwikkie St. **************************************************** an act of rejecting Christ our sacrifice for sin. Without Christ one has no hope because God is not in their world (Eph. 2:12). The seriousness of Christians deliberating choosing to forsake the assembly of the saints in order to fill their own will instead of rendering their bodies as living sacrifices to God which is our reasonable service (Rom. 12:1,2) is seen in the revelation that they will incur the wrath of God because of such action (Heb. 10:27). Because there remains no sacrifice for sin, the only thing these brethren have to look forward to is facing God s wrath in judgment. The judgment is described in these word; But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries (Heb. 10:27). We will all face God s judgment for it is written; It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment (Heb. 9:27), but it will be a fearful time for the individuals who commit the sin of willfully forsaking the assembly of the saints. When a Christian deliberately forsakes worship services; Bible classes; or other services or activities of the church they place themselves in the realm of being an enemy of God whom they have forsaken, and thus they must face God s fiery indignation. This fiery indignation will ultimately bring about their destruction. Notice that individuals bring this on themselves when they choose to deliberately forsake the assembly. As I stated in the beginning, sadly many brethren have failed to recognize the seriousness of such actions. We all need to learn that God and His commands are not to be taken lightly. The word of God is clear and powerful in regard to our obligations and responsibilities as a Christian. God has made it abundantly clear what He expects from us, and what He will accept from us, as well as what we will face when we fail to live lives that are pleasing to Him. Take note of these words of warning from James the Lord s brother; Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin (Jas. 4:17). God demands faithfulness and not excuse. As this year works its way to completion how many services did you miss? How many times did you stay home or go other places when God s people were assembling for Worship or Bible Study? A serious question that needs to be asked and answered by each of us. ************* ************* Read the words of this quote and think about its message. Just laws are no restraint upon the freedom of the good, for the good man desires nothing which a just law will interfere with. [Author of the quote unknown to me]

3 GOD S FAMILY The family of God is truly wonderful, by His grace it spans the globe; One day we will all stand before Him, wearing our eternal whited robe. But before that glorious day arrives, as Christians we have a job to do; Taking the gospel to the sinful lost, comprising of multitudes and not a few. As we serve the Lord in this life, we are to do it according to His word; As His children we are to be faithful, to the living message we have heard. We are to preach the glorious gospel, as we walk righteously in the light; We are to be soldiers of the Lord, and against Satan we should fight. As God s family we are to assemble together, on a regular basis in order to be taught; The truth of God s ways more perfectly, so in Satan s deception we are not caught. As brothers and sisters in God s family, our love for another is to grow; This is a debt that we will always have, a genuine debt that we will always owe. Being a part of God s family is a privilege, as Christians God adds us to His church; This privilege is readily available to all, who will read His word and sincerely search. Raymond A. Leonard

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