Assembling
(To join in the building of the body by bringing the gospel and edifying the body as we physically assemble)
Exo 20:8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
1997. episunagoge, ep-ee-soon-ag-o-gay'; from G1996; a complete collection; spec. a Chr. meeting (for worship):--assembling (gathering) together. (used three times)
The little season is a time of ASSEMBLING in order to exhort
Heb 10:18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. Heb 10:19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, Heb 10:20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; Heb 10:21 And having an high priest over the house of God; Heb 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Heb 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) Heb 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Heb 10:25 Not forsaking theassemblingof ourselves together, as the manner of some is; butexhorting(parakaleo, par-ak-al-eh'-o; from G3844 and G2564; to call near, i.e. invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation):--beseech, call for, (be of good) comfort, desire, (give) exhort (-ation), intreat, pray.)one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Heb 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, Heb 10:27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. Heb 10:28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Heb 10:29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? Heb 10:30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. Heb 10:31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
The little season is a time of gathering
2 Th 2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 2 Th 2:2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 2 Th 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 2 Th 2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. 2 Th 2:5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? 2 Th 2:6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. 2 Th 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
The little season is a time of instruction how can we instruct many if we are not assembling?
Dan 11:33 And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days.
THE LITTLE SEASON IS A TIME OF MAKING READY THE STONES
How do we make ready the stones ?
1 Ki 6:7 And the house, when it was in building, was built of stone made ready before it was brought thither: so that there was neither hammer nor ax nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building.
Isa 9:8 The Lord sent a word into Jacob, and it hath lighted upon Israel. Isa 9:9 And all the people shall know, even Ephraim and the inhabitant of Samaria, that say in the pride and stoutness of heart, Isa 9:10 The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn stones: the sycamores are cut down, but we will change them into cedars.
1 Pet 2:4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, 1 Pet 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
Rom 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
THE LITTLE SEASON IS A TIME OF BREAKING BREAD
What did the (beginning of the true church of god) apostles do when the ot.
church was left desolate, before the corporate church was
established?
Mat 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Mat 23:38 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.Mat 23:39 For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
Exo 20:8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. Acts 2:2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. Acts 2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Acts 2:44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; Acts 2:45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. Acts 2:46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house,did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Acts 2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
Acts 20:7 And upon the sabbath, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. Acts 20:8 And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together.
John 20:18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her. John 20:19 Then the same day at evening, being the sabbath, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
Acts 13:43 Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God. Acts 13:44 And the next sabbath day came almost the wholecity together to hear the word of God.
THE LITTLE SEASON IS A TIME OF BUILDING/EDIFYING
How do we Build ? (Building of the body of Christ a place is required for Stone cutting)
oikodome, building, edify (-ication, -ing). Used 18 x’s. building 5 x’s (in each case the body of believers) & edification of the body 13 x’s.
Rom 14:19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify (TO BUILD UP) another.
Rom 15:2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. (TO BUILD UP)
1 Cor 3:9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God'sbuilding. (BUILD UP)
1 Cor 14:3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, (TO BUILD UP) and exhortation, and comfort.
1 Cor 14:5 I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church (the true church) may receive edifying.(TO BUILD UP)
1 Cor 14:12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying(TO BUILD UP) of the church (the true church).
1 Cor 14:26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.(TO BUILD UP)
2 Cor 4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Cor 5:1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
2 Cor 10:8 For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, (TO BUILD UP) and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed:
2 Cor 12:19 Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying. (TO BUILD UP)
2 Cor 13:10 Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, (TO BUILD UP), and not to destruction.
Eph 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; Eph 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; Eph 2:21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: Eph 2:22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; Eph 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying(TO BUILD UP) of the body of Christ: Eph 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: Eph 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; Eph 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: Eph 4:16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying(TO BUILD UP) of itself in love. Eph 4:17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Eph 4:18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Eph 4:19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. Eph 4:20 But ye have not so learned Christ; Eph 4:21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: Eph 4:22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; Eph 4:23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; Eph 4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Eph 4:25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Eph 4:26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Eph 4:27 Neither give place to the devil. Eph 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Eph 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, (TO BUILD UP) that it may minister grace unto the hearers. Eph 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Eph 4:31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: Eph 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Eph 5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; Eph 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
If we are blessed enough that we have the opportunity to fellowship in a large gathering we should be thankful for the rich fellowship. When we come together we are to be;
Rom 12:10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Rom 12:11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rom 12:12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Rom 12:13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
We are also commanded to;
Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing,
Is not this the way to assemble ourselves together to exhort one another and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching?
If we look like a church because we rent an upper room to gather in (as the Lord and the apostles did), sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to admonish one another, as we are commanded to, pray one for another and break bread (THE WORD) morning to night on the Sabbath (being obedient to the commandments) “so be it” because we are the “true church of God”.
It is the corporate church that is the hypocrite and is under judgment to which the Lord says Isa 1:12 … who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts? (corporate church) Isa 1:13 Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. Isa 1:14 Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them. Isa 1:15 And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.
Again we should look like what we are “the church of God” and those who might visit will understand quite quickly that we are not associated with the “corporate church” and that we have come out and that they should too.
It is true that the Assembling of ourselves together is a picture of the true church built without hands and the assembling of that temple started at Pentecost and will finish when the last person is saved, nevertheless 2 Cor 5:20 “we are ambassadors for Christ,” Eph 2:10 “we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works,” Jude 1:20 “building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,” and faith come from hearing and hearing from the word of God. We are to continue to baptize with living water, we are to continue to come together to break the bread of life The Lord said Mat 18:20 “where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” And that continues to hold true today. Assembling is an necessity it builds, corrects, instructs, edify’s, exhorts, is obedient and is a time for the body to mend the nets. Let us occupy until he comes.