Hebrews 10:25 "Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
Apparently people have been "sleeping in" for 2000 years.
Approximately 70% of Americans claim to be Christians, yet only about 20% show up for church. God says we need to go. We need to be encouraged, and encourage others, especially as the world spirals farther, and farther away from His truth.
Up front, let me address two standard excuses for not attending:
First - There are no perfect churches. In fact if you find one don't join it, because you will mess it up.
Secondly - I too, can find God while fishing, hiking and being in nature.
But neither of these are reasons not to get involved with a local body of believers.
"Let us encourage one another"...It's not just about you ...it is at least equally about your fellow members.
This verse is not pushing attendance, it's pushing involvement. As I have mentioned before, some churches are like a football game - 50,000 people in need of exercise watching 22 people in need of rest - Don't just observe ... get on the field. Work in the nursery, greet people, help with Sunday School ... contribute.
If Sunday morning is impossible, commit to Sunday night, or Wednesday, or a weekday bible study ... but find a way to plug in, and meet together with your church consistently.
This verse says not to "neglect" it. Make it a discipline in your life, and your family's life. If God says it's important, it should not be optional. When you join a team, you show up for meetings.
How much good would it do if you just lifted weights Christmas and Easter? The same applies to church. If you just go to church this Sunday it may not change much ... but if you go every Sunday the rest of this year, you will see a definite difference in your spiritual physique.
Sometimes it's hard to know the right thing to do ... sometimes its just hard to do it.
"Church attendance is as vital to a disciple as a transfusion of rich, healthy blood to a sick man."
Dwight L. Moody
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