Are Public Church Services Necessary?

     We had a first at church on Sabbath when our electricity was out.  Seems it had gone out the night before and the power company had been unable to repair the service in time for morning services.  It was good that we were able to meet with New Albany for worship instead, and it was good to see their church packed as both churches met together.   I have to admit the thought did cross my mind that it would be nice to just stay home for a change.  However, what does God say?  He tells us very plainly in His Word that on the Sabbath there is to be "an holy convocation". (Leviticus 23:3)  A convocation is a "calling together", in a  "public meeting".  And because God knows how our minds work, He repeats His command in plainer language.  In the New Testament, in Hebrews 10:25, He plainly says: "do NOT forsake the assembling of ourselves together".  Please notice, as I just did, God doesn't say "yourselves", but "ourselves". That is, God is identifying with us and telling us that we are meeting together not just with one another as a group of humans, but we are meeting together in a divine and human group.  So it is written in Hebrews 2 that Jesus identifies Himself as our Brother in worship before God the Father. 
     How can we then stay away from Sabbath School and Church on Sabbath?  We can't if we are following God's word.  Of course I understand there are times when illness or other emergency or unavoidable events make it impossible to attend the public meetings.  But having said that, hear the word of the Lord.  It is becoming popular among some to think that they can stay away from public worship whenever they choose to do something else.  There is the thought that "I can worship God just as well, or even better by myself".  There is the idea that "God meets with me no matter where I am".  Sometimes the idea might be that "I can meet with God in nature and be more rested than by going to church."  However, God's Word is:  "No you cannot".  Our loving Father does not tell us to do something, and then tell us it is alright to do something else. God will never give His blessing to purposeful disobedience.   He made us and He knows best what we need.  It is only by strict obedience to His directions that we can receive His blessing.
     It is even more imperative now, in these last days, because Jesus plainly says: "and so much more as you see the day (of Christ's appearing) approaching." (Hebrews 10:25)  Dear friends, when we meet together there might occur situations that distract us from worship.  Perhaps someone "rubs us the wrong way".  But that should only lead us to become more loving and unselfish.  We need the rough edges of our characters knocked off.  We need to be polished.  None of us are so holy that we would be welcomed among the pure holy beings in heaven right now.  God knows what is best for us, and because He loves us and wants us to be with him forever, He tells us what we need to do to be ready for eternity.  Trying to worship by ourselves will only lead to selfishness.  Worshiping together with Jesus will lead us to unselfishness and love for one another if we worship "in Spirit and in Truth".  (John 4:24)

Some Clarification

     I see it has been 5 months since I last posted a blog.  It isn't that I haven't written anything, but just have not thought about posting a blog.  I admit I get too narrow in my thinking sometimes and what I write just goes to a few church members.
     Since I write every week, I will now post each one here also in case there are others who want to "look in" on my thoughts (so to speak).
     These are written for those who are spiritually minded.  Some terms I use may need clarification.  The term "Spirit of Prophecy" for example refers to the writings of Ellen G. White.  I believe, from personal study and comparison with the Bible, that she had the gift of prophecy like many who are spoken of in the Bible who were not included in the Cannon.  God directed in who were to be the writers of His Scriptures, but there were others who were not included, yet were inspired by the same Holy Spirit.  Ellen White was called to be God's messenger in these last days of earth's history in fulfillment of Revelation 12:17 and 19:10.  She is not the final authority as a writer of Scripture, but to help us who are weighted by an additional 2,000 years of sin and degradation to better understand the Scriptures.  As a "lessor light" she better prepares our eyes to look at the greater glory of the Bible.
     Since I observe the Bible Sabbath, which is the 7th day of the week, I usually refer to Sabbath School, the time before the worship service where we study the Bible together, as SS. 
     Wednesday evenings we have Prayer Meeting.  It is a time for study and prayer together.
     I also have a website called:  AppleTreeMinistries.com   My recorded sermons are posted there.

May God bless us together as we seek to partake of His character, becoming more like Him in preparation for living eternally with Him.

Daniel Manzano

Lord, Save Us From Ourselves

Already we are well into a new week.  How is your spiritual experience?  Are you growing in Christ?  On Sabbath afternoon did you discuss with anyone the things from the discussion of the Sabbath School lesson, or the sermon?  Did you open your Bible to search and see "if those things were so" as the noble Bereans?  Have you been reading from the assignment for Prayer Meeting from Prophets and Kings?  I know, lots of questions.  But as events constantly shout at us each day:  The end is near!  Jesus cannot wait much longer if there is to be anyone left alive.  It was Jesus Himself who asked: "When the Son of Man returns will He find faith in the earth?"  The Devil is gaining power quickly.  We must flee to the Stronghold - God alone can save us.  So I ask again:  Are you keeping God in your thoughts, talking with Him by His Word and your unceasing prayers?.
     Most of the daily newscasts (besides regular programing) these days are filled with crimes, and the constant question seems to be "why?"  Check this answer from God as found in Adventist Home p. 407 - "Many of the popular publications (movies, games, TV) of the day are filled with sensational stories that are educating the youth in wickedness and leading them in the path to perdition. Mere children in years are old in a knowledge of crime. They are incited to evil by the tales they read. In imagination they act over the deeds portrayed, until their ambition is aroused to see what they can do in committing crime and evading punishment."  And from page 403-4:  "When the daily newspaper comes into the house, I feel as if I want to hide it, that the ridiculous, sensational things in it may not be seen. It seems as if the enemy is at the foundation of the publishing of many things that appear in newspapers. Every sinful thing that can be found is uncovered and laid bare before the world." -- So parents and all adults -- what are you watching and allowing your children to watch?
     Prophets and Kings p.233 - "Sin ... destroys in the human soul both the desire and the capacity for knowing God. Through sin, the whole human organism is deranged, the mind is perverted, the imagination corrupted; the faculties of the soul are degraded. There is an absence of pure religion, of heart holiness...." 
     I had a dream last week I was going to share in my sermon.  But I didn't remember it then so guess I wasn't supposed to tell you till now.  I dreamed that my Dad was in prison and was going to be executed the next day.  His crime?  He had told a lie.  You probably laugh, as my parents did when I told them, and Rose did.  It seems ridiculous to us that someone would be put to death for just telling a lie.  But it really is just a sad commentary on how "ordinary" sin is to us.  The commandment plainly says we are not to lie.  One "little" sin brought the Son of God down to die on the cross.  We say we know this yet we are so corrupted by sin we cannot really believe we could die because of just one sin, and such a "small" one too. 
     We cannot understand the terribleness of "just one sin" because we are sinners.  This is why God has given us His word, both in the Scriptures and the spirit of prophecy.  We can trust His evaluation because He loves us, and we can take Him at His word when He tries to separate us from sin - especially the "small" ones.
     Oh my friends,  I want holiness of heart, I want to be totally changed, don't you?  Seek the Lord each day, and each moment of every day.