And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25not 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. (Hebrews 10:24-25)

Let's return to the neighborhood I grew up in one more time to hear the twins' dad, Jim (the off-shore crane operator who worked for Brown and Root if you remember), talk about God and church. "I believe in God, sure. Look at all he did in what he made, the flowers, the trees, birds and all other kinds of stuff, but I don't have to be at church to know God. I can be here in my backyard and appreciate him." I think we saw a slight smile from a man who was fairly emotionless.

Jim did not know he was going to be part of a study done by Pew in 2018 back in 1972. We had invited his sons, the twins, to our church a couple of times, and they attended VBS one summer right around the time of the confession. Jim probably felt the need to affirm his belief in God. Pew learned that many people in 2018 who did not go to worship said, "I practice my faith in other ways." They are separated from those who state, "I don't believe in God." The notes in the survey say that these people attest that faith is "very" or "somewhat" important to them.

Let's look at scripture through Hebrews though (among several passages) about engaging in a church as an affirmation of who we are and to learn God's Word and worship God in community. The author of Hebrews notes the importance of "stirring one another to love and do good works." The study notes state this emphatically: "God requires Christians to gather to hear his Word preached, receive the Sacraments, pray, sing, and give thanks." We don't attend worship for our salvation, our pastor noted on Sunday, but we go to grow in Christ and his Word, and to share this Word with others.

Paul says it this way: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." (Colossians 3:16)

We continue to follow God's Sabbath, not as a requirement for our salvation, but as a way to show our love for him for what he has done for us. The Word dwells in us and we gather as his church to show that love to one another and to those who do not know him.

Pray with me: Gracious, Heavenly Father, Help me to take and make time to learn your Word and to hear it as I gather with others around your Word. I give thanks to you for all you do for me, which includes giving me your Word. Your Word lights my path daily and greatly tells me about your love for me. For all you have done and continue to do, I give thanks. Amen

Pew Study Click on the link to read the study