And let us consider one another in love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:24-25 NKJV

We all tend to look for a church that marks off a checklist. We may want a good solid youth or children’s program. There is nothing wrong with this if we have children. We may want a good coffee bar. We might want preaching that doesn’t really step on our toes and by this, I mean it doesn’t point out our sins. We may want the pastor to pat us on the back and tell us what a great job we are doing.

On January 20, 1961, John F. Kennedy delivered his inaugural address. In this famous speech he said, “Ask not what your country can do for you-ask what you can do for your country.” Many of us go to church seeking what the church can do for us. Let’s look at this scripture passage and see what it says we should be doing for the church.

It begins with saying let us consider one another. One of the most dangerous things we can do is focus on ourselves. This harbors pride and God hates pride. Our focus should be on Jesus first and then others and what we can do for them.

We do this in order to stir up love and good works. We are told in Philippians 2:3-4, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”

To do these things you have to show up. You have to be there. From my earliest childhood memories in the church nursery, I knew what I would be doing Sunday morning, Sunday night and Wednesday night. Attending church was not optional. Mom never asked if I felt like going to church. As I grew older, my church attendance became sporadic, but I was always convicted when I was not in church. Now, I’m back to it not being optional. I don’t want to miss church. I try to give of my tithes and time to my church because I get so much out of it.

When we attend, we should be exhorting one another. The Biblical definition of exhort comes from the Greek word “parakaleo” meaning to call to one’s side, comfort or encourage. Exhortation means to lift up and encourage. In the biblical sense it also means to admonish. When we admonish someone, we warn or reprimand them. Jesus said in Matthew 18:15 to confront someone who sins against us one on one. Galatians 6:1 tells us if anyone is caught in sin those who are spiritual should rebuke them in a spirit of gentleness. We should hold each other accountable. We should be there when a fellow Christian stumbles. We should help them up.

And lastly, it says we should do these things so much more as we see the Day approaching. Each and every day we are drawing closer to the time we will be called home. We are drawing closer to the rapture or to our appointed time to die. None of us know when either of these will take place. Are you ready? If you were called home before you finished reading this, are you 100 percent sure of where you will spend eternity?

This Scripture passage tells us we need to be in church. We need to be there not seeking what the church can do for us, but what we can do for the church. God gives us all a gift to be used in our church. We all have something to offer, but we can’t offer it sitting on our sofas on Sunday morning.

Find yourself a good, bible teaching church. Go in and be fed. Feast of God’s Holy Word and be a part of the body of Christ.

Have a great day!