Come to the House

Last night I had the incredible experience of worshipping with a group of around 11,000 Jesus-followers at the O'Connell Center at the University of Florida.  Chris Tomlin and Louie Giglio were in town and it was a great concert, a phenomenal message of encouragement, and a call to salvation through the sufficiency of the grace of God in Jesus Christ.  Although this was the case, one of the things that impacted me the most was the power in the gathering of God's people.  Here was a collection of Christians from all around our area and our state where the true focus was simply about lifting up the name of Jesus and hearing what He has to say for our lives.  The encouragement that followed in the life of each person in attendance was off the charts!  This morning after I had some time to meditate on what I experienced and the words that were shared, I realized that Hebrews 10:24-25 is a passage that we need desperately in our times:

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.

With so much darkness, deception and division in our society right now, the people of God need to meet, meet often and value that meeting.  As that scripture tells us, we shouldn't neglect 'to meet together.'  With that in mind, I have to tell you all that watching your favorite sermon online or TV isn't good enough.  Watching your church's live stream when you CAN attend in person isn't good enough.  Saying 'it's just me and Jesus', isn't good enough.  You need to be in the house of God when His people come together.  In that place you will be encouraged, equipped for the purpose of God, enlarged in your perspective to see like the Father, and more convinced of our need for the word of God and Jesus' finished work on the cross, as you're spurred on to tell others of this great news.

So, in short, do what you need to do in order to always keep your attendance in the house of God a high priority.  Whether it's tonight, Saturday, this Sunday or whenever, be sure that with passion, vision and expectation, you always come to the house.