"I SURE DO MISS THE FELLOWSHIP"

Once in a while I meet men and women who, for one reason or another, have been away from the fellowship of God's saints. Most commonly, they say to me, "I sure do miss the fellowship." Usually, I am afraid they mean, "I miss the social get-togethers we used to have," rather than, "I miss the blessed fellowship of God's saints in the worship of God." If they had to make a choice between hearing God's servant preach the gospel of Christ and having coffee with the preacher, they would choose coffee with the preacher. If they had to choose between worshipping with God's saints and having a church picnic, they would choose the picnic. Such an attitude reveals a heart problem. To such people, I am afraid the church of Christ is only another social club. It's fun to be a member.

Truly, the fellowship of God's saints in Christ is the most blessed privilege we have in this world. But our fellowship in Christ is not merely a social pleasantry. Ours is a spiritual, gospel fellowship. The sweetest, most edifying, most important aspect of our fellowship is the public assembly of God's saints for worship. In the house of God, more than at any other time, God's people are one in heart. We gather for one purpose, to worship God. We gather with one burden, sin. We gather with one hope of grace, the blood and righteousness of Christ. This, my friends, is the fellowship of God's saints. We enjoy the social gatherings. They are sweet. But we can do without them. Our greatest interest is in the public assembly of God's saints for worship. That is vital. It is for this reason that Paul admonishes us never to neglect the assembly of the saints. We cannot live without it (Heb. 10:25-26). "Truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ" (I John 1:3).