“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” (Heb. 10:25).

 Some 50 years ago, when I first obeyed the Gospel of Christ, we didn’t pass many Lord’s days without hearing a sermon or at least part of a sermon which included the tenth chapter of Hebrews, verse 25. Members of the body of Christ, their elders, deacons and preachers took verse 25 as a command from God, delivered by the Holy Spirit to members of the church. It was considered a command to be obeyed, and those who violated that command knowingly and wilfully without a “providential” reason considered themselves sinners.

 Time is filled with swift transition. First, the world began to compromise or vice versa with people of religion, and the Lord’s day became a day when business and industry operated as usual, men and women were expected to work various shifts, which engulfed the Lord’s day and prevented attendance at worship or Bible classes.

 The entertainment industry, major sports such as the National Football League and National Baseball Association made Sunday the premier day for their promotions. While in the old days (40 or 50 years ago), someone might sneak off “fishing” on Sunday, suddenly, the Lord’s day became the one day of the week when everybody “did their own thing” with no hesitation.

 Over a period of months and years, members of the church gradually fell in line with the world. Many Christians adjusted to the world to the point that they gave little thought to working on Sunday, even when they were not required to do so. Young people, following Dad and Mom’s example, began to take jobs, knowing full well that they would be taken away from the one day of the week when their focus should be on spiritual things. Thus, they began to starve themselves to death spiritually, and either left the church or took their worldly ways into the church.

 Brethren, we need to go back and study Hebrews chapter 10 verse 23 through verse 30. Believe me, God was serious when He inspired this Scripture (2 Tim. 3:16-17). “All Scripture” includes Hebrews 10:23-30.

 We are surely to “hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering,” verse 23.

 We certainly must “consider one another to provoke unto love and good works,” verse 24.

 God meant it when He cautioned us not to forsake the “ASSEMBLING of ourselves together, AS THE MANNER OF SOME IS...” (verse 25). Notice, the Holy Spirit did not say, “the assembly” (Sunday morning) but rather, the “the assembling,” whenever the saints assemble for worship or edification.

 The conjunction or preposition, “for” which begins verse 26 connects back to verse 25 and warns, “For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins.” Our Lord suffered and died for all of us one time, and He won’t do it again. The redeeming power of the blood has been released once for all time, and there is none other.

 God makes it plain to the unfaithful in verse 27, “But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation which shall devour the adversaries.” Judgment is coming for all and it will begin at the house of God!

 Under the law of Moses, the Old Testament, a man was stoned to death at God’s bidding by the whole congregation of the children of Israel because he was discovered picking up sticks on the Sabbath Day (Numbers 15:32).

 God warns us (Christians), “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?” (the Holy Spirit, verse 29).

 “...Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord.  And again, The Lord shall judge his people” verse 30.
 Recently, I was asked to preach for a rural congregation which supports the work I do with the elderly and infirm. I centered my lesson on Hebrews chapter 10; I didn’t compromise with business, industry, sports or entertainment. Know what? Three precious souls responded because of negligence in attendance and dedication to Christ. How many more needed to do so? How many in the brotherhood have forgotten God’s specific command in Hebrews chapter 10? How many still believe it to be a sin to forsake the assembling? God does! So does His Son, and likewise the Holy Spirit!