Another Needs Other Brother - Part 1

Scripture Reference: Hebrews 10:23-25

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

There are things that make me feel really sad or unhappy most about weekly worship services and fellowships. You would think it would be just the opposite because I look forward to worshipping with God’s people, having the opportunity to dig into God’s Word each week and feeding it to hungry people in the church. But I’m sad about what people miss when they’re not here.

Another reason is that when people aren’t here, we miss out on their contribution to the body of Christ.
Romans 12:5: “So in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” Each person has something to contribute to others, and when they’re absent; their words of encouragement and exhortation are absent as well. In a real sense we miss out what we can receive and what we can give or contribute to the Body of Christ, when others miss church because we belong to one another.

And, there’s a third reason for being unhappy – and this concerns the family. I’m sad when brethren choose other activities over church attendance because of the message this sends to others.
I’m not trying to be negative or to make you feel guilty because sometimes anyone of us/you miss a service or two. I understand that there are some legitimate reasons why people are unable to attend. I understand all these, but there seems to be a growing disposition in our culture against church.

Here’s the bottom-line today: Fruitful believers develop the habit of church involvement.

That reminds me of a mother and son story that took place one Sunday morning when a mother tried to wake her son up for church. The son replied, “I’m not going.” “Why not?” she asked. “I’ll give you two good reasons,” he said. “One, they don’t like me, and two, I don’t like them.” To which she replied, “I’ll give you two good reasons why you should go to church. One, you’re not getting any younger, you’re old enough, and two, you’re their pastor!”

Here are some reasons why some Christians don’t come to church:
• Bad experiences at church          • Church is boring
• Conflict with another Christian     • Personal pain
• Sickness                                  • Sports
• Busyness                                 • Laziness
• Work                                       • Transportation issues
• “That’s my only day to sleep in.” Here’s what I say to that. Come to the service and join others who catch up on their sleep during the sermon.
• “I don’t like the pastor’s personality.” Me either.
• “I don’t like the pastor’s preaching.” Join the club.
• “I’m just out of the habit.”

I think this last one is very common. From my experience, most people who don’t come to church on a regular basis have not necessarily made a decision to not come; it’s just that they get out of the habit and commitment of coming. They miss one week and then, the thought of coming back brings feelings of embarrassment because people will ask where they’ve been.

The Book of Hebrews that will help motivates us to enhance our commitment to the local church we belong - turn to 

Hebrews 10:23-25:
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Part 2 will follow very soon.. giving the meaning of LET US in our text.