Hebrews 10:24-25: Let’s consider how to provoke one another to love and good works, not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as you see the Day approaching.
God commands us to assemble with saints. As with all New Testament commands, this is the first reason it must be obeyed. “God said it, and that settles it” (cf. 1 John 5:3). Yet, as with many commands, God not only tells us what to do, but gives reasons why to do it.
Notice the command in Hebrews 10 includes “consider how to provoke one another to love and good works.”
A primary reason we must assemble is because we are thinking about (considering) the needs of others.
Considering one another should lead us to exhort one another and edify one another (cf. 1 Thess. 5:11). Notice 1 Corinthians 14:12. The saints there were instructed concerning the use of miraculous gifts that were given prior to the completion of the written Word. Though the context was different, the principle of edification still stands. “Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.”
While assembling together builds up each other, the One we seek to obey and please in our assemblies is God.
To please God in worship, things must be done His way. Matthew 15:9 illustrates that it is possible to worship God in vain. Acts 17:23 illustrates that it is possible to worship God in ignorance. Neither of these is acceptable to God. In John 4:23-24, Jesus taught how we must worship. A Samaritan woman asked Him whether one should worship in Jerusalem, as the Jews did, or at Mount Gerizim, as the Samaritans did.
Jesus gave this answer: But the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such to be his worshipers. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.
We must worship God from the heart while doing what He has commanded.
This opposes self-focused worship devised by man. Worship is about God.
As Christians come together to break bread (Acts 20:7), give (1 Cor. 16:1-2), pray (Acts 2:42), sing (Eph. 5:19), and study (Acts 20:7), it should be done to edify one another and please God. As we assemble, may we remember that we are doing so for God’s glory and the benefit of one another.
– Michael Hickox