A few months ago, I was reminded through David Peterson hefty book “Engaging God” that the church gathers in corporate worship to build each other up — for mutual edification – and not just ‘to worship’ God by ourselves as some would think.

Peterson argued from an exegesis of Hebrews that the concept of the meeting of God’s people for edification for is of central importance to biblical worship. The mutual up building between Christians is purposed to help each other persevere in the faith and grow in spiritual maturity in light of the apostasy that a believer can possibly fall into. This is precisely why the divinely inspired writer of Hebrews exhorts us not to forsake the local gathering of believers as some professing Christians do.

Here’s some helpful tips for reading this text, from Ryken and Ryken:

Exhortation to endure in the faith [ Hebrews 10:19-39 ]. This unit leads scholars to say that Hebrews has affinities to a sermon, though the pastoral intensity of the passage would feel right at home in the NT epistles as well. The opening connective word “therefore” (v. 19) signals the relation between this passage of practical exhortation and the preceding Christological arguments. Reinforcing this are the “since” clauses that lead up to the main appeal (vv. 19, 21). With the weight of preceding arguments about the superiority of Christ and the new covenant as a backdrop, the author now makes a persuasive appeal to his readers to endure in their loyalty to such a Savior and such a covenant. The first movement of the appeal consists of three “let us” commands (vv. 22, 23, 24). This is followed by a paragraph warning the reader not to abandon belief in Christ’s sacrifice (vv. 26–31). This negative approach—a dissuasion—leads to a positive persuasion or exhortation to persist even in the face of persecution, with God’s eternal reward offered as an incentive to persevere in faith (vv. 32–39).

Hebrews 10:19-39

19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

26 For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 29 How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has spurned the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.” 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

32 But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, 33 sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. 34 For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. 35 Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. 37 For,

“Yet a little while,
and the coming one will come and will not delay;
38 but my righteous one shall live by faith,
and if he shrinks back,
my soul has no pleasure in him.”

39 But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.