"Why We Assemble"

  Why do you "go to church" or not "go to church"? I use that expression because that's how the majority see what they do. They "go to church". Rather wouldn't it be better if we could grasp and think of ourselves as the "assembly"? Why do you "assemble"?

  Why do people NOT want to "assemble" to worship the Lord? That might put things in a better focus. I am gaining some insight both to myself and others in respect to this. Here is what I am discovering as I continue my studies of God's word. Lousy sermons, lousy in content, lousy in relevance, lousy from the lack of true study can be some of the reasons people do not want to "assemble" to worship God. Say what you will but people, even the good hearted people get tired of hearing "one more time" the same worn-out lessons, the same worn-out denunciations while using some kind of trivia to amuse. It truly has drastic effects on the heart.

  Some have no desire to "assemble" to worship God because of the dishonorable lives some of the brethren demonstrate and people know it! I know it is ridiculous sounding but the hypocrisy demonstrated does have a profound effect on some. They are weak and childish and have never taken an opportunity to grow so this becomes their cry. It's like going to a recital in which the someone butchers Beethoven and we walk away saying we are done with music! That doesn't make a lot of sense does it? Yet there are those who lean heavily on this defense. Yes, I have personally known preachers do things against God and His word, or someone was taking out of the offering for their personal use or different ones commit adultery but that doesn't mean the majority are like that and that Jesus is real to most of His followers.

  Some won't go because they feel the "assembly" is unfriendly or have little cliques. I must say, this is sometimes the sad truth. However, we must not put too much weight on this type of "assembly" worship. People sometimes have no awareness of how they make others isolated rather than being part of God's "assembly".

  Finally, some won't "assemble" to worship God because they simply have not and will not submit their lives to Christ. They know that's what they will be called to do if they "assemble" to worship. They will be confronted by God and they have no will to submit. That is spiritual suicide.

  Many do "assemble" to worship without fail wanting their lives to express their love and devotion to the God who bought them. Yes, there are some there who are there for a boyfriend or girlfriend or maybe establish business contacts and the like, but the majority are there for one main reason. THEY WANT TO WORSHIP GOD! Simply put: no matter what excuses anyone uses, the saved desire to worship God with God's people. The rest have their unspiritual reasons. What's your reason?