“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.” (Hebrews 10:25)
Our building renovation project is on its last legs (not that it is “dying” as that expression is used) but it is almost done. We are hoping to get our temporary occupancy permit by June 13, which is only a couple weeks away. We first decided to pursue this facility at our annual leadership retreat in January of 2009. We presented it to the congregation the next month, and on March 9, 2009 we placed a bid with the school board to purchase the building. After investigating all the issues and securing the bank financing, we took legal ownership on August 28, 2009. Since then, we have been involved with code issues and various remodeling projects to get the building “church ready”, and we are on the home stretch. So this process is a year and a half in the making so far, and the end is in sight. Of course, getting in to the building is not the “end”, but the beginning of more challenges with the logistics of a facility like this, and more blessings in the opportunities God will give us to minister the word as we use this place for his glory.
The above verse is often used by preachers to beat their people over the head about their church attendance. They focus on the first half of the verse about assembling together, and of course that means that everyone must be in their pew every Sunday morning, every Sunday night, and for mid week service so the pastor can count you and tell all his pastor buddies how many people fogged a mirror in his building last week. Obviously, we need to assemble on Sunday to worship and hear the word. Even more obviously, believers who forsake this will not grow in their faith, no matter how much mental wrangling and justification they come up with. But the purpose of our assembling is not to count heads for the glory of the pastor. It is to equip the saints for the work of the ministry and the glory of the Lord. Church does not exist for the benefit of its leaders and its presence in the community. It exists for the perfecting of its members so they can “run the race with patience” (Heb 12:1-2). Too many churches consume the lives of their members with activities and ministries. With all good intentions and plans, the ministry becomes the end rather than the means. These things are good to do, but every individual believer has a personal job to do for the Lord. Church is supposed to facilitate that and support us in the process. When the burden of activity gets in the way of the effectiveness of life and service to the Saviour, it gets God’s people out of balance, and ultimately does more harm than good. That does not mean we shut down church for all but Sunday morning. But finding that balance is often difficult, and always an ongoing process of adjustment and creative planning.
The last half our verse today focuses on the “end in sight”. The purpose of our gathering is to “present every man perfect in Christ Jesus” (Col 1:28). The day is rapidly approaching when that event will be upon us. Paul said in Romans 13:11, “…for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.” That does not mean we are “growing into a believer”, but as our life and journey unfolds, we continue to get closer to the time when our ultimate redemption will be realized on the day God takes us home to be with him. When a runner is in a race, he “picks it up” when the tape comes into sight. The Christian life is like a race. It is a marathon because it involves our entire lives. It is a sprint because the urgency of escaping the condemnation of hell is real for those around us without Christ. It is a relay because many have preceded us in the gospel service, and we will someday pass the baton to others. It involves hurdles because our enemy continually throws @#$%& in our path. But most importantly, as the time draws near to attain our rewards at the Judgment Seat of Christ, it is an all out dash to the tape. We are almost there. The end of the church age is rapidly approaching. Even if it doesn’t come in our lifetime, someday soon before we know it, we will stand before our Saviour to give an account of our lives and our service for his glory. Pick it up!!! Double time!!! The day is approaching.
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