"Close The Church Doors"

"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." Hebrews 10:25

When I was growing up, we had three church services a week- Sunday morning, Sunday night and Wednesday night. Many churches over the past several years are beginning to close their doors on Sunday night and even Wednesday night. Most have reduced their services to once a week- Sunday morning. There are various reasons. More are threatening to close their doors because of higher gas prices, a decrease in attendance, conflicts with outside interest.

We are living in a time when churches should be doing just the opposite- instead of closing their doors they should be offering more opportunities for the body of Christ to come together. The verse above tells us not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together-- and SO MUCH THE MORE-- as we see the day approaching. We are living in a time when trials are increasing and becoming more difficult, evil is on the increase, there is less regard for the things of God, persecution is coming to the church (is already here in great proportions in other parts of the world), lawlessness is on the move, the love of many is waxing cold, the pull of the flesh is getting stronger, the cares of this life are becoming priority, deception is becoming greater, darkness is trying to snuff out the light, our testimony is trying to be silenced and the love of pleasure is outweighing the love for God. So I ask you, "Why is the church closing their doors? Why aren't they opening them more? Why aren't we assembling ourselves together more often then ever before?" The reason the verse admonishes us to assemble more often is because the Bible also warns of a "falling away" that will happen in the last days. Scripture tells us that if a man walks alone there is no one there to help him up if he falls. It also tells us that a two-fold cord is not easily broken. We are also taught through the word that there is power in unity and agreement and where two or more are gathered God is in their midst.

We need the strength we gain from being assembled with other Christians, from hearing the word preached and from engaging in corporate worship. The enemy wants to close the church doors, he wants to silence the church, he doesn't want people going to God's house. By closing them we are actually cooperating with the enemy and doing the job for him. I am afraid we have leaned to our own understanding in making the decision to reduce our times of assembling together instead of looking to the council of God's word- which knows what is the best thing for us to do.

Have a great day. It's not a time to assemble less, it's a time to assemble together more.