We Worship Together

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV)

What's your response when someone says, "I love Jesus but don't need church"?

Francis Chan once made a sobering observation about people who choose to disconnect from church while claiming to love Jesus. He pointed to Paul's words in 1 Timothy, where Paul speaks of handing rebellious believers over to Satan by removing them from church fellowship. Chan noted, "It is crazy to me that we live in a time when people are voluntarily doing this to themselves! No church has placed them outside of the fellowship; instead they handed themselves over to Satan!"

In John, chapter four, Jesus Jesus speaks to a woman from Samaria about worship. Throughout the exchange, He uses plural language—"true worshipers"—because worship is both corporate and personal. The church isn't merely a helpful option for spiritual growth; it's essential to your faith journey.

In nearly five decades of pastoral ministry, I've never met a single believer who grew more spiritually mature, more holy, and more aligned with God's will while separated from the church. As pastor Kevin DeYoung has said, "The man who attempts Christianity without the church shoots himself in the foot, shoots his children in the leg, and shoots his grandchildren in the heart."

Corporate worship provides something your private devotions alone cannot—the strength, accountability, and encouragement that comes through connecting with Christ's body. 

When you worship alongside other believers, you experience a foretaste of eternity. As today’s verse instructs, do not give up meeting together and you will receive the encouragement and spiritual strength that only comes as we worship together. 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank You that Your Word says in Psalm 68:6 that You place the lonely in families. Help me see that the community of faith is part of Your design for me. Where I want to isolate myself, remind me of the promise of faith and encouragement that comes through community. I praise You for it in Jesus’ Name, Amen.