The Importance of a Local Congregation

By: Jim Josephsen

Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it Holy.  So states the Fourth Commandment. By reading Leviticus 23 we understand that on the Sabbath Day we are required to assemble in Holy convocation. What many commonly call, “going to church,” God’s people understand as convening a worship service in order to honor God through the singing of hymns and learning of God, of His required lifestyle and of His righteousness as taught through sermonettes and sermons. On the Sabbath Day, once a week every Saturday, God’s people congregate in worship services, in Holy convocation.

When unable to meet in a congregation, many individuals keep the Sabbath at home. In doing so these individuals listen to recorded sermons or perhaps watch a sermon video or read the Bible and meditate on the Word of God.  Of a truth, there are individuals who have no choice but to keep the Sabbath at home, for the distance traveled to a congregation is far too great and too burdensome or their circumstance in life provides no other way.  Keeping the Sabbath Day at home is the best some can do.

However, why did God command a Holy convocation? What is the importance of regularly attending at a local congregation? Perhaps we can begin to answer these questions as we understand the meaning of Hebrews 10:24-25. From the Word of God we understand that we are to consider one another, to provoke one another unto good works and love; not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, but exhort one another (to meet together), and so much more as we see the day approaching.

On the Sabbath Day when brethren get together, they naturally see one another face to face. This encounter requires both an emotional and intellectual response. Smiles, friendly faces, or even distraught looks; real conversations spoken by people right there, in person and “right in front of you” helps us capture the true meaning of Christ’s command that we are to love one another; as I loved you, you are to love one another. Christ, who was very God in the flesh was involved with people. He understood their lives. He participated in life and saw the joy and sorrow of human existence first hand. He overcame, and encouraged those around him to overcome.

When we meet together on the Sabbath Day, we learn to appreciate others as we grow to understand one another on a personal level. Conversely, being absent from God’s people often leads to a lack of empathy, social paralysis and spiritual lethargy. Truly, no man is an island. The admonition of Solomon found in the proverb, “iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend” is most appropriate for God’s Sabbath keepers. In the modern vernacular, we understand that social interaction stimulates and improves the mind and the personality. And so interaction with spirit-led Sabbath-keepers stimulates spiritual growth.

To think that by just keeping the Sabbath at home without contact and concourse with other people will allow you to mature spiritually is to think erroneously. Life is the experience by which character is built. Life includes interaction, involvement and communication. The necessity for human involvement and the spiritual strength one gains through human involvement is one reason why Jesus Christ prayed to His Father asking that we not be taken out of this world (John 17:15). As Christ was sent into the world, so are we in this world, as a light and witness and as a source of encouragement and conviction of the truth. And so when brethren of like mind and conviction meet together, encouraging one another and learning from one another, their character is perfected. Together brethren share the rich Words of God and stay focused.

The Sabbath Day provides so many blessings: rest, peace, peace of mind and an ever-increasing strengthening relationship with God. The Sabbath Day is a weekly reminder for the people of God to know who they are and why they have been called. Keeping the Sabbath with brethren promotes conversation and stimulates spiritual growth. The Sabbath Day is not complete unless it is experienced with brethren who dwell together. Certainly, by listening to the Word of God preached, each individual gains a personal, private and meaningful understanding of God’s Word. When we meet together, we encourage one another and support one another. And as members one of another, our friendship and unity should carry us throughout all seven days of the week. The purpose of the local congregation is to provide the means for brethren to meet together, to learn the walk of life that leads to salvation and eternal life.

The Intercontinental Church of God Chicago/Western Suburbs congregation provides the opportunity for God’s called out ones, those who desire to learn the sincere, faithful and true Words of God, to gather once a week on God’s Holy Sabbath Day.