“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:24-25, NLT)
Most commentaries on the Book of Hebrews I have read relate this idea of “meeting together” to church attendance. Church attendance is important. It’s a fact – you can’t encourage someone, or motivate them to acts of love and good works – if they aren’t there. So, yes, church attendance is necessary.
But that word “together” describes a bit more. It is the same word Paul uses to describe Jesus’ second coming when he will gather “together” all his faithful believers (see 2 Thess. 2:1).
It’s the same idea Luke uses to describe the 120 disciples “together” in the upper room at Pentecost. They were in attendance…but they were together in purpose.
God encourages our church attendance, but he really cares that we’re connected to the purpose of the church…that we’re engaged in the church’s mission of reaching the world.
As we’ve gone through Growth Track over the last three weeks, God has probably been speaking to you. As you discover your calling, I pray you’re hearing God’s invitation to engage. Get involved. How does God want you to motivate us to good works and acts of love? How does God want you to encourage us?
You can attend church, or you can engage. In order to do so, you’ll have to overcome some hurdles. But as Ronald Osborn noted: “Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow.”
Join us Sunday for this final step in Growth Track as we talk about how you can engage. Don’t forget to stay for fajitas after church as we celebrate 20 years of ministry at New Life!
