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| A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver |
A View of Salvation. In salvation we are gathered, not only together, but unto Jesus. When we are talking about togetherness we must start here. For, if men are gathered together but are alienated from God it profits them nothing. God has "reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ" (2 Cor 5:18). We have been "joined unto the Lord" (1 Cor 6:7). Having taken away our sin, Jesus made peace between us and God. "When we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son" (Rom 5:10). In Him all believers are made into one new man and brought to God. The assembly of the saints is an environment of togetherness. All believers were not only united with Jesus by their baptism (Rom 6:4,5) but they were also baptized into "one body" (1 Cor 12:13). One view of our salvation is reconciliation wherein we are brought together with God and one another.
Coming Together Unto God. The assembly of the saints is a gathering together with Deity, primarily. Like the disciples during the time of Jesus' earthly sojourn our assemblies are a gathering "together unto Him" (Mt 13:2). We do not simply gather together with one another; we gather "unto the Lord." We want to make this distinction because there are those who gather together and experience "togetherness" for other purposes. Some may "gather together against the Lord and against His Christ" (Acts 4:26). We, however, are on the Lord's side and we gather together to collectively draw near to Him to be with Him and to commune with Him. Our assemblies are in view of Jesus words: "where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them" (Mt 18:20).
A Concern. It is my perception and my fear that many churches gather together in their own name. They come together and carry on their services without any acute awareness of God. Where this takes place they will be alone. Jesus will not take a back seat to any attempt of men to promote themselves or their church. In the Revelation the churches are seen as candlesticks with Jesus standing in the midst of them (Rev 1:12,20). The churches that neglect Him and His Father are promptly removed from His presence. Let us fear lest such a thing happen to us. For if we come together in the name of the Lord and He is not present, we have wasted our time. Be certain that when we come together, we are together with God.
Coming Together Unto God. The assembly of the saints is a gathering together with Deity, primarily. Like the disciples during the time of Jesus' earthly sojourn our assemblies are a gathering "together unto Him" (Mt 13:2). We do not simply gather together with one another; we gather "unto the Lord." We want to make this distinction because there are those who gather together and experience "togetherness" for other purposes. Some may "gather together against the Lord and against His Christ" (Acts 4:26). We, however, are on the Lord's side and we gather together to collectively draw near to Him to be with Him and to commune with Him. Our assemblies are in view of Jesus words: "where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them" (Mt 18:20).
A Concern. It is my perception and my fear that many churches gather together in their own name. They come together and carry on their services without any acute awareness of God. Where this takes place they will be alone. Jesus will not take a back seat to any attempt of men to promote themselves or their church. In the Revelation the churches are seen as candlesticks with Jesus standing in the midst of them (Rev 1:12,20). The churches that neglect Him and His Father are promptly removed from His presence. Let us fear lest such a thing happen to us. For if we come together in the name of the Lord and He is not present, we have wasted our time. Be certain that when we come together, we are together with God.
Laborers Together with God. Where God is present there will be life, liberty, and productivity. The assembly of the saints is a place of focused kingdom work. In the gathering of saints every saint is working together to build up one another and glorify Him who called them out of darkness into His marvelous light. The design of the assembly of the saints is that every member of the body is working, not just one or two, and they are working together with God. The surest way to "burn out" is to minister in the strength of the flesh rather than with "the ability which God giveth" (1 Pet 4:10). Not only does God help us in our ministry but God Himself is working in our midst (1 Cor 3:9; 2 Cor 6:1) along with His holy angels (Heb 1:14). There is fellowship in ministry that cannot be experienced in spectating. When you gather together in His name determine to effectually work according to your measure. God is glorified in this.
As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to Whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen." (1 Peter 4:10-11)
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