Why Do We Gather?

Foundational Scriptures: Hebrews 10:24-25 Acts 20:7

Sermon in a Sentece

The church gathers collectively for worship, teaching, and fellowship which is essential for spiritual growth and encouragement.

Introduction — Why do you go to church?

The Preacher’s Notebook: The Collected Quotes, Illustrations, and Prayers of John Stott Why Go to Church?

Some go to church to take a walk;

Some go there to laugh and talk;

Some go there to meet a friend;

Some go there, their time to spend;

Some go there to meet a lover;

Some go there a fault to cover;

Some go there for speculation;

Some go there for observation;

Some go there to doze and nod;

The wise go there to worship God.

Think about it!!!!

The Book of Hebrews

This book is a majestic presentation of Christology in the entire New Testament. This book is the only true anonymous book in the New Testament. It is epistolary in nature, while at other times having a sermonic character. Other terms to describe its literary character are essay, treatise, oration, biblical exposition, and exhortation. Exhortation is appropriate because in Hebrews 13:22 the author himself speaks of his work as a “word of exhortation.” Hebrews is an epistle, yet it does not have the usual formulaic prescript. In fact, it begins like a sermon, reads like a sermon, but concludes like an epistle. Today, it is generally recognized that Hebrews is a written sermon. Hebrews is a sermon prepared to be read aloud to a group of auditors who will receive its message not primarily through reading and leisured reflection but orally. The author is writing for the ear, not the eye. Logos and pathos blend in masterful ways to make Hebrews and extraordinary sermon. The author of Hebrews connects the shadows of the Old Testament with the fulfillment through Christ in the New Testament. Hebrews stresses the centrality of God, who is the God of the whole Bible. Also, you will find examples of faith from the Old Testament for New Testament believers to admire and imitate, and lastly it provides a challenging doctrine of assurance. He views life’s adversities, including the world’s opposition to Christianity, as a sign of God’s fatherhood of his children.

The traditional view as to the audience is that the author was writing to Jewish Christians. The Old Testament quotations—which focus on the tabernacle, the priesthood, the sacrificial systems, Moses, Melchizedek, and Abraham (Heb. 3:7, 11)—indicate a Jewish audience. A second view is that Gentiles were the recipient of this letter. A third view is that the readers were a mixed congregation of Jewish and Gentile Christians who were suffering persecution because of their faith.

Ecclesiopraxis—The Theology of Church Attendance

Ecclesiopraxis is a new theological study that God empowered and equipped me to develop. This theology is the study and practice of church attendance by examining scriptural foundations, theological principles, and contemporary challenges. By understanding the historical and biblical mandate for gathering as the body of Christ, believers can reclaim the significance of corporate worship and strengthen their commitment to the local church. Church attendance is more than just numbers and full sanctuaries; it is about our obligation as children of God to spend time collectively with our God so we can fellowship, encourage one another, and grow in faith. My doctoral chair has asked me to develop a theology of church attendance. Pray as this theology that God has blessed me to birth becomes part of the tapestry of theological conversation and that God strengthens my hands and mind to develop this theology that will help the church understand the importance of church attendance.

We Gather to Worship Together

Acts 20:7 ESV

On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight.

One of the songs of the church says, “We have come into this house, gathered in his name to worship Him, worship him, Jesus Christ our Lord.” The first verse provides the reason for gathering together. Then it says how to worship: “So forget about yourself, concentrate on Him, and worship Him. Worship Him, Jesus Christ, our Lord.” This simple song provide the what, who, who, and how for the church gathering. When you look at Acts 20:7, two things stand out; (1) this is the first reference to the church worshiping on Sunday, and (2) the gathering always gave way to the breaking of bread. The first day of the week was a workday, Christians hallowed it at its beginning and end, through corporate worship in celebration of Christ’s return (Lk. 24:1). To break bread in Christian parlance probably points to a fellowship meal begun and completed by the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper (Lk. 22:19-10; Acts 2:42, 46: 20:11; 1 Corinthians 10:16; 11:24). Scripturally, the church should break bread every time they gather, yet, in most Protestant religions, a certain day is set aside for the breaking of bread. The church breaks bread on special days, while the early church fellowship through the breaking of bread every time they gather. Could it be possible that the church does not practice fellowship? How strong could the church be through practicing fellowship?

Lightfoot’s Apostolic Fathers in English 14

14 And on the Lord’s own day gather yourselves together and break bread and give thanks, first confessing your transgressions, that your sacrifice may be pure. 2 And let no man, having his dispute with his fellow, join your assembly until they have been reconciled, that your sacrifice may not be defiled; 3 for this sacrifice it is that was spoken of by the Lord; In every place and at every time offer Me a pure sacrifice; for I am a great king, saith the Lord, and My name is wonderful among the nations. (Didache 14:1)

Why is this significant? To answer the question of why we gather, you have to decide “why you gather?” The “you” in gathering determines the “we” experience in gathering. The practice of corporate worship and regular church attendance has been a fundamental aspect of Christian identity since the inception of the faith. For our cultural context, there was no question about where we would be on Sunday morning. In his book Reading While Black, Esau McCaulley writes:

Reading While Black: African American Biblical Interpretation as an Exercise in Hope Chapter One: The South Got Somethin’ to Say: Making Space for Black Ecclesial Interpretation

My mother tried her best to immerse her children in the gospel. Most Sundays there was no question where we would be. The McCaulleys would be safely ensconced in our pew at Union Hill Primitive Baptist church in Huntsville, Alabama, from 10:00 a.m. until the Spirit had finished his work.

John 4:24 ESV

God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

In John 4:24, Jesus’ conversation transitions from offering the Samaritan woman water to worship and how their fathers worshiped in the mountains, but Jesus specifically said that Jerusalem is the only place where people should worship. Worship here is proskyneo (προσκυνέω), to prostrate oneself, to bow down, to make obeisance. In John 4:20, this word has a wholly figurative sense. The Samaritan was concerned about the “where” to worship than the “how” to worship. Yet the act of worship stands in the background. What Jesus says here is that there is no one place to worship. The concrete act is lifted up into the sphere of spirit and truth which now controls it. This does not mean a total spiritualizing of worship but the possibility of true worship at all times and in all places.

“The gathering of the saints should be for worship, but it has become the battleground for people’s personal feelings towards other, power grabs and personal agendas. People come to seek worship for themselves rather than worship God, the Ancient of Days. Worship is not a program; it is a lifestyle.” Jesus free worship from man’s attempt to control his worship by removing the borders and boundaries and describing how we are to worship and that is in spirit and truth. The interesting phrase in this verse is Jesus says the “Father is seeking such people to worship him.” The word worship here is Proskynētai (προσκυνηταί) – This term refers to worshipers, but the root proskyneō (προσκυνέω) literally means “to bow down” or “to prostrate oneself,” conveying humility and reverence. The phrase in spirit and truth En pneumati kai alētheia (ἐν πνεύματι καὶ ἀληθείᾳ) – “In spirit and truth” signifies both the inner, sincere disposition of worship (spirit) and worship according to God’s revealed reality (truth). The phrase is seeking Zētei (ζητεῖ) – “Is seeking” is present tense, showing the Father’s ongoing, active search for genuine worshipers. Are you the type of worshiper God is seeking? We must be “intentional” when we gather to worship, and not “accidental” in our presence in worship.

Dr. Marc James

From the message Why Do we Gather?

We Gather for Growth

Ephesians 4:11–13 ESV

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,

Gathering is not just singing and shouting, worship helps us grow in faith so that we can become mature Christians. In his letter to the church at Ephesus, he designates positions within in the church that are tasked with equipping gathers for the “work of the ministry.” These are gifts given to the body of Christ to help Christians grow, and how you treat that gift determines how you grow as well. Today, people focus on the positions in the “church” rather than preparing to effectively do the work of the ministry. Whether you believe that apostles and prophets still remain, the fact is that your spiritual maturity occurs when you gather on a weekly basis. Through the teaching and preaching, believers are provided the right equipment for the right fight. The word equip here is katartismos (καταρτισμός), meaning to make someone completely adequate or sufficient for something. The literal translation is “in order to make God’s people fully qualified for work in (his) service’ or ‘…for (this) work of service.

“Your doctor has a license to practice medicine…you must have a drivers license to operate a motor vehicle…your nail tech has a license to do nails…a license to open a business…a license to practice law…a license to even be a funeral director…you beautician/barber has a license to cut your hair and you some hair…most occupations require some type of certification to perform a certain task…Yet, when it comes to “church business” we let anyone and anybody practice because they are a good person…people can spin their collars around and shout hallelujah and they are a preaching. They can do live stream and TikTok videos and call themselves a minister…The church celebrates and coddles the ill equipped while criticizing, denigrating and disrespecting those God has anointed, equipped with the requisite skills to help Christians grow. “Do not stunt your growth because you choose violence against the teacher.” The strength of a congregtaion is not measured on Sundays; it is measured on Bible Study, Sunday School and a willingness to follow God, his Word, and His leader.” True growth is the ability to react godly when other act ungodly….true growth is knowing how to genuinely respect others no matter the age…true growth is understanding your role in ministry and staying in your role, not trying do what God has not equipped you for…true growth is maturing to the point where others recognize you’ve changed without you telling them…true growth is a prayer life not predicated on a problem…true growth is realizing that your are a child of God…true growth is knowing who you are in Christ and walking in the power of the resurrection…true growth is respecting your leader and not try to undermine your leader…true growth is walking by faith and not by sight….Growth is not measured by how many bible verse you recite or prayers you pray. Growth is not measured by the number of views you get when you post a video. Growth is not measured by how many people comment and tell you that they needed that. Growth is not measured by a viral video. Growth for you is measured by how effective you are in the work of the ministry where you are assigned that builds up the body of Christ. The reason for gathering is for kingdom building. “You either want to build the church or destroy the church, but you cannot do both.”

Dr. Marc D. James, DMin

from the sermon “Why We Gather?”

We Gather to Encourage each other

Hebrews 10:24–25 ESV

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

If the bench you’re sitting on is not full, then, ask yourself three questions: (1) why is not full, (3) what is my role in it not being full, and (3) what can I do help fill my row?

This passage stresses the importance of community, mutual encouragement, and gathering collectively in faith to support one another, especially in challenging times. Do we consider how to stir one another to love and good works, or do we stir one another to conflict, confrontation, and confusion? How do you stir the pot? As Christians, two things are true: (1) we are responsible for the atmosphere in the sanctuary, (2) we are responsible for how we stir one another up. What do you bring out people? This phrase here suggest that is the responsibility of the congregation to stir one another to love and good works.

katanoōmen (κατανοῶμεν) – Present subjunctive, meaning not just to casually notice, but to deeply reflect or contemplate.

paroxysmon (παροξυσμὸν) – Interestingly, this word can mean a sharp contention or stirring; here it has a positive sense: stirring up or spurring on love and good works.

allēlous (ἀλλήλους) – The emphasis is on mutuality, highlighting community encouragement.

The author of Hebrews is saying, “Let us carefully consider how to stir one another to love and good deeds.”

Picture a church filled with empty seats one Sunday, each one representing a soul who, for whatever reason, chose not to attend. Among those, think of a father who desperately needed encouragement but didn't know it until he felt the warmth of community. It’s powerful to realize we shape our church's atmosphere with our presence and absence. One person's decision to attend can spark hope in others; each seat can change a heart.

It is clear to the reader that he is referring to regularly attending worship at the synagogue, or for Christians today, we are encouraged to attend worship regularly. Jesus emphasized the value of corporate worship, stating, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” (Matthew 18:20 ESV). Corporate fellowship or church attendance allows congregants to engage in critical actions: (1) love one another and perform good deeds, and (2) allow the worship to prepare Christians for Christ’s return. The early Church met regularly to strengthen one another.

The word neglect here is enkataleipo (ἐγκαταλείπω) which means to leave, abandon, leave behind. The author is saying not abandon, leave, or leave behind the habit of meeting together. Does it mean these Gentiles and Jewish Christians were not assembling together? There are some who were neglected the habit of assembling together, and he left this letter to encourage them to assemble because Jesus is returning soon.

If the bench you’re sitting on is not full, then, ask yourself three questions: (1) why is not full, (3) what is my role in it not being full, and (3) what can I do help fill my row?

There is something about assembling together for worship…when we gather, it is supposed to be a time of encouragement, not a time of envy of one another. The word encouragement is parakaleo (παρακαλέω) meaning to cause someone to be encouraged or consoled, either by verbal or non-verbal means. The “church” should practice active consolation with all members. If we encourage others more, then what kind of church would the church be? The end is near….