“Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works. Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another, and so much the more, as you see that day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24-25).
A few, pre-covid winters ago, the state of Maryland broke its all-time record for snowfall, with 29.2 inches recorded at the Baltimore-Washington airport. We were digging out for days. That Sunday morning, when normally I would be in the pulpit preaching, and many would be in the pews listening, we had to have church service via the internet. It was great that we had this digital resource through which we could broadcast and receive spiritual nourishment, and be uplifted. But it was not the same as being in a live service with the saints in church. It was a temporary glitch in our Sunday attendance, and we were back to business the following week. Like King David, we declared, “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord!” (Psalm 122:1).
Fast-forward to the covid era when everything was shut down tight for months and we could not go anywhere, including church. It was tough, but we persevered. Churches across the country who had not done so before, began live streaming Sunday services. It was a godsend to keep us spiritually connected. And most churches have continued to live stream, bringing blessings for the saints who are truly shut-in.
But as covid restrictions began lifting, and churches resumed live services, many—who could—have not—come back to church. They have broken their spiritual routine, and some are even bound. Every time they decide they are going to church, the enemy throws in a monkey wrench to hinder them. If it’s not one thing, it’s another—anything to keep them out of church. As a young Christian, my father, R.G. Hardy, went through a spiritual battle over going to church. I don’t recall the reason why he initially had stopped going, but when he was ready to go back to church, he couldn’t. He told how night after night he would get all dressed for church, but when it was time to go, he could not leave his house. He really wanted to go, but he was bound and couldn’t! Finally, he called for some of the brothers from church to come and pray for him, and he was set free.
Others have become satisfied to stay home and watch Christian television. They feel it is an acceptable substitute. I wholly support good Christian programming, especially for those who are shut-in and cannot get to church. For them, it is a vital lifeline of spiritual support. I know this from personal experience.
For many years, after a severe back injury, I was housebound and mostly bedridden. I do not exaggerate when I say that I grieved for the house of God. For someone like me, who had been in church at least five times a week, it was devastating. Thank God for the good Christian programs that I watched nearly every waking hour that kept me going. I clung to every morsel of spiritual food to feed my fainting spirit. Scripture says, “The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?” Christian TV played a huge part in my recovery by strengthening my spirit until I was well enough to go to church.
I do not believe, however, it is acceptable for those who are healthy to substitute TV for church attendance; nor do I believe it is biblical, according to our opening text which commands us not to forsake the church assembly. Moreover, Paul made it clear in his teachings on the Body of Christ that “each member is responsible to bring forth his measure of increase” to the rest of the Body (Ephesians 4:16). How can the Holy Spirit “shed abroad in our hearts the love of God” (Romans 5:5) if we are not there? Certainly, those with an anointing to exhort, prophesy, sing, etc. cannot do so at home. “How is it that when every one of you come together then, everyone has a psalm, has a doctrine, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying” (Ephesians 4:26). Perhaps you can be edified sitting home watching Christian TV, but what about your brothers and sisters in Christ—how can you edify them if you’re not present? When you think about it, it is a selfish perspective.
The Missing Disciple
“Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works.” One of our most important functions as members of the Body of Christ is to “provoke one another,” which is to spur one another on and inspire to action. This means, of course, we must be in the assembly of the saints to perform this function. Being absent prevents us from exhorting and being exhorted. This is a trick of the enemy to keep us from hearing an inspired word of the Lord, which may be the very word we need to prepare us for a coming attack. God always prepares us beforehand, but if we skip church, we may miss an exhortation designed to forewarn and forearm us.
After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples who were holed up behind closed doors. Their hopes were dashed; their faith was smashed; and they were scared and miserable. They were “assembled for fear of the Jews.” All the remaining disciples were there except for Thomas. In the midst of their despair, Jesus appeared and said, “Peace be unto you. As my Father has sent me, even so send I you.” Then He did something marvelous: He breathed on them and said: “Receive you the Holy Ghost.” They were marvelously transformed and filled with joy!
Later, Thomas showed up, and the other 10 disciples told him all about their encounter with the Risen Lord. He had missed the very experience his doubting, double-minded spirit needed, because he was not present at “the assembly” (John 20:19-25).
The Greek word for provoke—parachumos is used both in the positive and negative sense. Generally, we take it to mean a negative action, but it actually has a powerful positive meaning. para: to come alongside of, and chumos: to sharpen. In church services, we sharpen one another spiritually; that is, with our individual gifts and experiences in the Lord, we inspire, encourage, uplift, and strengthen one another. We incite one another in a good sense—“unto good works.” The Wiseman said: “Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend” (Proverbs 27:17).
Moreover, as we see the signs of the end-time increasing, and the coming of the Lord drawing near, we are mandated to “exhort one another.” In the rest of Hebrews Chapter 10, this includes: warning against sin in light of the coming judgment and vengeance of God; encouraging one another that the losses of this life are temporary and cannot compare to the eternal rewards of Heaven, and exhorting one another to keep the faith: “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which has great recompense of reward…. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry” (Hebrews 10:23-37).
This is a balanced meal, which we are unlikely to receive on Christian TV in this day of sugar-coated, lopsided preaching.
I once read how one minister responded to someone who said that they didn’t need to go to church, but could get what they needed by watching Christian TV and videos at home. The minister said: “When I get to Heaven, I’ll ask God to send you a video.”
Would you be okay with just watching a video of Heaven?
About The Author
