"I Don't Wana Go" :(

Christianity is much more than just Sunday morning. In fact it’s an everyday focus, "pick up your cross daily" Christ said (Luke 9:23).  Because of that everyday race running the assembling of the saints should be what we look forward to (Heb. 12:1-2, 10:25). It's the one place we can be around those we are in fellowship with that are seeking to achieve the same goal, Heaven. A place to be rejuvenated, to mature, and to worship God.

A reason why you should be seeking such assembling's of the saints and excited to be a part of it is that there is nothing else like it. You were made one of them when you were immersed into Christ. You live every day without that group at your side. So a few days a week you get to be around the saints (Eph. 2:19, 2 Cor. 13:13). Who see the world the way you do (Romans 12:2; James 4:4). Who live in the world the way you do (Matt. 5:13-16). Who desire to be like Christ like you do (Phil. 2:5; 1 John 2:6). Most importantly they desire to worship and be pleasing in God's eyes like you do (John 4:23-24, Eph. 4:1-6).

Another reason is in your daily life of sacrifice and service to God, you are not around the saints. Yes your spouse, your kids, and possibly a co-worker is a part of the kingdom but overall many are not. If we are living the way Christ desired for us too then we should be exhaustively seeking to spread the word, serve those in need, be the light of the world, a city on a hill and the salt of the earth. That is a very taxing task in life. Where can you go to regain focus, praise the one who has blessed you with such a life, mature to live it better, and gain encouragement to continue on? The assembling of the saints (1 Thess. 5:11).

 This body is a blessing only found in Christ (1 Cor. 12:12, 27). When we neglect its gathering then we neglect a blessing (Eph. 1:3). How many of us would just tie a band around our arm so tight as to cut off circulation and leave it there tell our arm has fallen off? None of us. Yet that is what we do by not seeking to be a part of the assembly. You can’t play football with one person.

The assembling of the saints is about you being there to uplift, encourage, mature, and worship God. Without you, there is no body.

  My mom put it best one day when she said “I’m not there for anyone else. I don’t care what they think of me, if they talk to me, or if they want to be my friend. I’m there to worship God.” She was there for God. We are all a part of His body and living for Him. So make going to the church meeting about you serving and obeying God. Make going to church about God. That's what God wants it to be about (John 4:23-24).

Please don’t say “Well for me to come to that place it must look like a concert, football game, fashion show, theater production etc.” Those places and events don’t care about one person. God does. They just want to fill seats. God doesn’t. God wants lives changed and obedient children. 

 Worship is about us obeying God’s command to assemble and serve Him in the way He commanded it. Yes, Wednesday night is extra but the elders said “Hey you need this” (Heb. 13:17). As they watch out for your souls and do all they can to lead you to heaven (Acts 20:28). They said faithful working members of the kingdom body need this mid-week time. As we hunger and thirst for righteousness  we should always be seeking to be filled, fill others, and praise God (Matt. 5:6, Luke 1:6, Rm. 1:16-17, Psalm 119:172 ).  Where  else are you going to be encouraged to be obedient, uplift others, and fulfill God’s commands?

Seek to be at the assembly, not the assembly to be at you.