What “forsaking fellowship” actually means

“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

An often misapplied verse concerns the teaching of “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together – .” Many a teacher and friend alike; has tossed this verse out as a way of admonishing the wayward soul to remain obedient to church fellowship.

I have observed often over the years, the coercion of faithful brethren into “attending church” every Sunday and Wednesday by the exhortation of this one verse. Even more incredibly, is the practice of rewarding “Certificates of Attendance” to those who showed their “faithfulness” to the local church by keeping attendance each holy day throughout the year.

But, Is this what Paul meant as he addressed his fellow brethren – the newly reborn Jewish followers of Jesus Christ? Let’s take a closer look.

Chapter ten of Hebrews sheds incredible light upon one relying on their personal faithful “works of righteousness” verses reliance upon the faithful “works of righteousness” of Jesus Christ.

Our text also indentifies WHO THE ONES WERE THAT WERE IN THE HABIT OF BREAKING FELLOWSHIP! THEY WERE JEWS WHO, AT THE FIRST, CAME OUT OF TEMPLE WORSHIP – BUT NOW, UNDER THREAT OF PERSECUTION – RETURNED!

Paul, under the watchful instruction and guidance of the Spirit; spells out the dangerous returning to temple worship and its ordinances – at the expense of rejecting the work of Christ to free the church from those very same ordinances that formerly kept them in bondage to death!

I.   What keeping the law (and yearly sacrifice) WILL NOT accomplish:

• Keeping the law WILL NOT perfect those who came near to it. (Hebrews 10:1)
• Keeping the law WILL NOT remove the remembrance of sin. (Hebrews 10:2)
• Keeping the law WILL NOT remove one’s sins permanently or even take it away. (Hebrews 10:3, Hebrews 10:11)
• Keeping the law requirement of sacrifice and burnt offerings by bulls and goats WILL NOT satisfy the righteous requirements of God toward removing sin. (Hebrews 10:4)
• Keeping the law WILL NOT please God apart from the work required of the final sacrificial lamb offered. (Hebrews 10:5-6, Hebrews 10:8)
• Keeping the law WILL NOT remove the necessity for a final sacrificial lamb offering. (Hebrews 10:18)
• Keeping the law WILL NOT remove one’s accountability toward God. Just the opposite, law reveals the hardness of heart that all men have toward God – and their appointment with His judgment and fiery indignation. (Hebrews 10:26-31)

II.  What is the confirmed WILL of God concerning law’s fulfillment in Jesus Christ?

• Jesus Christ confirmed the WILL of God by taking away the law’s limited intentions and instead, offered Himself as the last blood sacrifice for sin. (Hebrews 10:7, Hebrews 10:9)
• Jesus Christ confirmed the WILL of God by offering up His own body in order to sanctify (or set apart for Himself) and perfect Jewish believers (and Gentiles believers who may have been amongst them). (Hebrews 10:10, Hebrews 10:12, Hebrews 10:14)
• Jesus Christ confirmed the WILL of God by the Holy Spirit’s message that faith in His work alone satisfies the requirements of all the law. (Hebrews 10:15-16)
• Jesus Christ confirmed the WILL of God in remembering our sins no more, and no more need of sacrifice! (Hebrews 10:17-18)

III. How are followers of Jesus Christ to APPROACH God?

• Followers of Jesus Christ APPROACH God with boldness into the “holies by the blood of Jesus Christ.” (Hebrews 10:19)
• Followers of Jesus Christ APPROACH God by a new and living way through His flesh – the holy veil – no longer the temple veil, because He is become our High Priest! (Hebrews 10:20-21)
• Followers of Jesus Christ APPROACH God with “a true heart and full assurance!” (Hebrews 10:22)
• Followers of Jesus Christ APPROACH God with faith unwavering – provoking one another to love and good works. (Hebrews 10:23)

IV. What are intended WARNINGS concerning the subject of “forsaking fellowship?”

• A WARNING to the new Jewish followers to “hold fast their profession of faith – as the Day of God’s judgment is approaching. (Hebrews 10:19, Hebrews 10:25)
• A WARNING to the new Jewish followers not to “forsake” fellowship as some among THEM have done – who have rejected the “veil of flesh that is Jesus Christ” and returned to temple sacrifice instead! (Hebrews 10:21, Hebrews 10:25) This applies to we Gentile followers also!
• A WARNING to those who received the message of the Good News Gospel of Jesus Christ – that by their returning to the foolish keeping of the  law – is their eternal death! (Hebrews 10:26-27)
• A WARNING example is given to those who think they can approach God’s grace and mercy through “good works” by keeping the law. (Hebrews 10:28)
• A WARNING to those who are placing their faith in trying to keep the law, instead of the One who fulfilled the law perfectly – are trampling under their feet the Son of God, His blood sacrifice and the “Spirit of grace.” (Hebrews 10:29)
• A WARNING of God’s impending day of vengeance, judgment and fearful “falling into the hands of an angry God.’ (Hebrews 10:30-31)

V.   Paul is SPEAKING TO his Jewish brethren – like he, having placed their eternal state into the hands of the last and perfect sacrifice, Jesus Christ!

• Paul is SPEAKING TO his Jewish brethren who have been “illuminated” by the Gospel of Jesus Christ! (Hebrews 10:32)
• Paul is SPEAKING TO his Jewish brethren who are being robbed of their possessions, reproached and afflicted by those who knew them as brothers but now, are enemies because of unbelief! (Hebrews 10:33-34)
• Paul is SPEAKING TO his Jewish brethren who, by faith, have become companions with all who suffer for their faith in Jesus Christ! (Hebrews 10:33)
• Paul is SPEAKING TO his Jewish brethren the “heavenly” reward, rest and riches though they are losing everything here on earth! (Hebrews 10:34-37)
• VI. Paul is SPEAKING AGAINST those Jewish brethren who have departed from following after Jesus Christ and His Gospel and turned back toward religious practices instead.
• Paul is SPEAKING AGAINST those Jewish brethren who refuse to “live by faith” in the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ – but, instead “draw back” into trying to please God by keeping the law! (Hebrews 10:38)
• Paul is SPEAKING AGAINST those Jewish brethren who have withdrawn from God’s grace and mercy – and, back to destruction by unbelief! (Hebrews 10:39)

Mandatory “Saturday or Sunday morning worship” has become, especially in the American Gentile church – nothing more than a man-made tradition. Many a “worshipper” faithfully attends Sunday services in order to “get their spiritual gas tanks filled” but remain invisible the other six days. The practice of Sunday morning worship as “showing our faithfulness toward God” is making a mockery of true Christian fellowship – which occurs whenever and wherever believers gather; be it a home, underpass, foxhole, library, coffee shop, nursery or street corner!

Does this imply that it is “evil” to worship on Sunday? Absolutely not!

The problem is not where we gather as Christians – its the false teaching that we are disobeying God Himself by not being “in church on Sunday!”

No where in the Word of God is this the standard for true worship and the gathering together. Secondly, there are many who learned at a very young age, to “faithfully attend church” but, were never compelled to consider their eternal state. Why? Because, they were told time and time again – from “children’s church” to “Senior Saints Class”; that the works of “attendance” was another way to please God.

Wherever and whenever you and I choose to worship Jesus Christ this week; be it one day or everyday – make sure it is because you have fully embraced Jesus Christ as the Son of God and placed your faith in His Gospel, not on your attempts at keeping the law through another sacrifice!

“He who believes on the Son of God has the witness in himself. He who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he does not believe the record that God gave of His Son. And this is the record, that God has given to us everlasting life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. I have written these things to you who believe on the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have everlasting life, and that you may believe on the name of the Son of God.” I John 5:10-13

revised 09-10-2009