Great Sermon! Dear Paul, thanks for posting this. I agree with your five points and had independently arrived at similar conclusions (and continue to gather for worship). I should like you to expand upon Heb 10:25 and provide other proof texts as this text has come under attack from some expositors. I should also be grateful for your response to those who justify online videoconference worship as a temporary situation.
Personally, I have been much challenged by the prophecies of Haggai and Joel. In the former, the Jews were forbidden from rebuilding the temple (so they could worship God). They received it as divine providence, saying, 'the time has not come that the LORD's house should be built.' They did DIY instead and told themselves the situation wouldn't be permanent. God begged to differ. So too we must consider our ways. Unlike in our situation, the Jews were forced to stop (Ezra 4:23-24). What in comparison is a £60 fine?
Then in Joel, I find written the correct response to famine and disease etc. As you said, it is to gather (Joel 1:13-14; 2:12-18). 'Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly; gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children... then will the LORD... pity His people.
With my warm regards after many |