ASSEMBLE TOGETHER
Friday – March 23, 2018, Nisan 7, 5778
Welcome back to our faith building Bible Study from the Book of Hebrews. The featured Church picture is about one-hundred yards from my boyhood home in Readfield Corner, Maine. I used to wind the clock once a week back in the day. As we prepare to move forward in our study, let us first review our primary text aloud.
Hebrews 10:23-26 (KJV)
23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
25 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.
26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
Today, I will move into verse twenty-five with the admonition to not forsake the assembling of ourselves together. The writer makes it clear that then (as now) there are those who are not assembling together, that is not going to Church (an assemblage of believers). I think we have all noticed that no matter what Church we go to there are people there and therein is the problem. Therein is also the strength. I think we can take the reference to “the day approaching” as the coming of Christ or more specifically the Catching Away (Rapture) of the Church. The implication is that the pressures will increase from the enemy with time and we will need the encouragement of each other more and more. We augment each other in the body of Christ much like our index finger augments the function of the thumb and so on. We all need to be encouraged in our walk and provoked to love and good works. I know there have been times when I was encouraged and built up just seeing a certain person or people and having a brief time of fellowship with them. A spiritual transaction occurred that was beneficial.
I am sure that the current traditional configuration of Church services does not lend itself to the fullest and best expression of the body. Let’s listen to our brother Paul speaking by the unction of the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 14:26 (AMP)
26 What then, brethren, is [the right course]? When you meet together, each one has a hymn, a teaching, a disclosure of special knowledge or information, an utterance in a [strange] tongue, or an interpretation of it. [But] let everything be constructive and edifying and for the good of all.
Many if not all of the early Churches were in the home and would lend themselves to the preceding passage from first Corinthians. In a large Church this would not be practical. That is not to say there should not be a place for the function of the gifts of the Spirit. Perhaps that place is in the more relaxed home meeting or times of fellowship within the Church building. Those in the office of the Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, and Teacher however should function in the larger setting. It is my experience that neither before the Church service or after the Church service is there any appetite or expectation of ministry. We have formalized the expression of the various gifts.
As far as I can tell from the ministry of Jesus there was a preaching of the gospel which is synonymous with teaching about the Kingdom of God, the Blood Covenant, and then signs and wonders occurred. These signs and wonders confirm the Word of God not the person speaking. The more the Anointing of the speaker and the purer the Word spoken the greater the signs and wonders. There must be a speaking forth of the Anointed Word for faith to develop and then the Power of God can flow. In the ministry of Jesus there were people who came and were healed who had not heard the Word directly from Jesus but had heard the Word and believed the Word from others. Like the woman with the issue of blood, she had heard of Jesus, and knew (faith) that if she could get to Him she would be made whole. Jesus had the authority and the Power. We have the same authority in the name of Jesus, we have the same Power, and must have the same reputation! So, let’s get about it!
As the teaching from Hebrews for this week is coming to an end let us look forward carefully considering the next verses from our primary text.
Hebrews 10:26-27 (KJV)
26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
Hebrews 10:26-27 (AMP)
26 For if we go on deliberately and willingly sinning after once acquiring the knowledge of the Truth, there is no longer any sacrifice left to atone for [our] sins [no further offering to which to look forward].
27 [There is nothing left for us then] but a kind of awful and fearful prospect and expectation of divine judgment and the fury of burning wrath and indignation which will consume those who put themselves in opposition [to God].
Hebrews 10:26-27 (CSB Bible) (Christian Standard Bible)
26 For if we deliberately go on sinning after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,
27 but a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire about to consume the adversaries.
Until our next publication, I speak blessing into your life right now, receive it in the name of Jesus, confess it, and walk it out with thanksgiving.
Numbers 6:24-26 (KJV)
24 The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:
25 The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
26 The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
By: Dr. David Wood, Author, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
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