Hebrews 10:25 (Amp)

Not forsaking or neglecting to assemble together as believers, as is the habit of some people, but admonishing (warning, urging, and encouraging) one another, and all the more faithfully as you see the day approaching.”

One way our vision as a church is being realized is through our church services when we as believers assemble together.   These are times when we fellowship with one another, praise and worship God, and most importantly, are fed the Word of God.  As individuals are “planted” in a local church they flourish in life, grow in God’s grace, and become exceedingly fruitful.

Psalm 92:12-14 (Amp)

The [uncompromisingly] righteous shall flourish like the palm tree [be long-lived, stately, upright, useful, and fruitful]; they shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon [majestic, stable, durable, and incorruptible]. Planted in the house of the Lord, they shall flourish in the courts of our God. [Growing in grace] they shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be full of sap [of spiritual vitality] and [rich in the] verdure [of trust, love, and contentment].”

Following God’s instructions always causes us to get results in life.  Going to church was never supposed to be an empty religious exercise.  We see in the Bible that God’s instruction for believers to faithfully assemble together actually has great purpose and brings great blessings!

Psalm 133:1-3 (AMP)

BEHOLD, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment poured on the head, that ran down on the beard, even the beard of Aaron [the first high priest], that came down upon the collar and skirts of his garments [consecrating the whole body].  It is like the dew of [lofty] Mount Hermon and the dew that comes on the hills of Zion; for there the Lord has commanded the blessing, even life forevermore [upon the high and the lowly].”

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Where We Fellowship

When we come together with those who are likeminded and of like precious faith, fellowshipping with one another, our own faith is strengthened and we are built up.

Ephesians 4:16 (NKJV)

From whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.”

Proverbs 27:17 (NLT)

As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.”

We are edified and built up during these times as we gather together, serving  one another in love, just like the Lord Jesus taught us by His own example.  When we come to church we should come expecting to receive from God, but we should also come expecting to serve and to be a blessing to one another.

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Where We Worship and Praise

When we come together and worship, it is a time to honor God and to give Him thanks for all that He has done.

John 4:23 (KJV)
The hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.”

Our worship is our heartfelt response to God for the love, mercy, and grace that He has given us through His Son.  We love Him because He first loved us!  In these times of corporate worship we experience the power of the Holy Spirit and the joy, peace and liberty that is found in His presence. 

Psalm 111:1 (KJV)
I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.”

Psalm 132:7 (NLT)

Let us go to the sanctuary of the Lord; let us worship at the footstool of his throne.”

Psalm 134:2 (KJV)
Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD.”

2 Corinthians 3:17-18 (KJV)

Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.  But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

These times together also inspire us to go further in our personal times of praise and worship, as worshipping God is not to be just a weekly event but a way of life!

Hebrews 13:15 (KJV)
By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.”

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Where We Are Fed the Word of God

When we come together and hear the Word of God, we are strengthened and equipped with God’s power to do the will of God and to be victorious in life!   In Romans 12:1-3 we see that as our minds are renewed by the Word of God we are transformed.  In other words, by continually hearing the Truth of God’s Word, we are changed from the inside to the outside, growing and developing more and more into the very image and likeness of Jesus.  This is the way we become mature Christians who think, speak and act like Jesus.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God’s will in thought, purpose, and action), So that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Ephesians 4:11-13, 15

And His gifts were [varied; He Himself appointed and gave men to us] some to be apostles (special messengers), some prophets (inspired preachers and expounders), some evangelists (preachers of the Gospel, traveling missionaries), some pastors (shepherds of His flock) and teachers. His intention was the perfecting and the full equipping of the saints (His consecrated people), [that they should do] the work of ministering toward building up Christ’s body (the church), [That it might develop] until we all attain oneness in the faith and in the comprehension of the [full and accurate] knowledge of the Son of God, that [we might arrive] at really mature manhood (the completeness of personality which is nothing less than the standard height of Christ’s own perfection), the measure of the stature of the fullness of the Christ and the completeness found in Him. Let our lives lovingly express truth [in all things, speaking truly, dealing truly, living truly].  Enfolded in love, let us grow up in every way and in all things into Him Who is the Head, [even] Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).”

A local church should be a place where God’s people come to be fed the Word of God.  If a church is not preaching the Word, they are not fulfilling their God given purpose to be a source of the Truth in their community (1 Timothy 3:15).  In fact, the number one priority of a pastor, as seen in the Scriptures, should be to feed the “flock of God” the Word of God.  When Christians are regularly hearing the Word of God (being fed with knowledge and understanding) fear leaves them, they are no longer dismayed, and what they were lacking is abundantly supplied by the Word causing them to be fruitful and to increase.

Jeremiah 3:15 (KJV)
And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.”

Jeremiah 23:3-4 (KJV)

And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase.  And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the LORD.”

John 21:15-17 (KJV)

So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.  He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.  He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.”

Acts 20:28 (KJV)

Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.”