Many New
Testament passages describe local congregations of God's people conducting
regular meetings to worship God and study His word (Acts 20:7; 11:26; 1
Corinthians 11:17-34; chap. 14; Hebrews 10:25). These meetings are intended to
provide blessings and opportunities that benefit those who attend.
The
purpose of this study is to discuss why each Christian should urgently
determine to attend whenever the local church meets.
Occasional
emergencies may make it necessary for us to miss, but we should diligently try
to avoid such hindrances so we can be present, if at all possible.
Please
consider these reasons why you need to attend all meetings of the local church:
Reason #1: To Worship and Praise God
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
God Wants Christians to Worship Him.
=======================
John
4:23,24 - God seeks worshipers to worship Him in spirit and in truth. He has
commanded five activities by which we ought to praise Him: prayer, singing,
Bible study, the Lord's Supper, and giving (Acts 2:42; 20:7; 11:26; 1
Corinthians 14:15; 16:2; 11:17-34; Ephesians 5:19).
Revelation
19:5 - All God's servants ought to praise and worship Him. God intended, not
just for some of His people to worship Him, but all of them. (Romans 15:9-11)
The
Bible clearly teaches that Christians should attend church meetings to
accomplish these purposes (Acts 11:26; 20:7; Hebrews 10:23-25; 1 Corinthians 14:1-40;
11:17-34). Some of these activities (prayer, singing, and Bible study) should
also be done at home (Acts 17:11; 16:25; James 5:13; Deuteronomy 6:6-9; Psalm
1:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:17). But the scriptures previously listed show that
church meetings are also essential.
Private worship is not enough, and public worship is not enough.
Both are required.
Christians Should Desire to Worship God.
=========================
We
should attend worship assemblies, not only because God wants us to, but also
because we want to.
Matthew
22:37,38 - The greatest command is to love God with all our heart, soul, and
mind. We should love God above all because He sent His only begotten Son to die
to save us from eternal torment and offer us eternal life (Romans 5:6-8; 1 John
4:8-10,19; John 3:16).
Some
people think, "I don't have to come every time." But why would
someone who loves God want to do something else instead? If your child or loved
one were sick or hurt, would you say, "You can't prove I have to help
them"? If you love them, don't you want to help them? So, when you love
God, you will want to worship Him.
Romans
1:21 - Failure to glorify God is ingratitude, and ingratitude is the first step
into apostasy. A person who could attend, but simply chooses not to do so, is
simply showing a lack of love and gratitude for what God has done. It is a sign
of serious spiritual disease, (2 Timothy 3:2).
Hebrews
13:15 - When people truly appreciate God's love, they want to express their
thankfulness in praise and worship. (See also Colossians 4:2; Psalm 100:4;
Ephesians 1:5,6).
1 Peter
2:9 - God has chosen us to be His special people that we might proclaim His
praises. Giving honor and glory to God is the purpose of our salvation!
Psalms
1:2; 119:97-99; 122:1 (Joshua 1:8) - Righteous men desire to meditate on God's
law because they delight in it and love it. They honestly say, "I was glad
when they said to me, 'Let us go into the house of the Lord.'" This is the
attitude we will all have when we truly learn to love and appreciate God and
His word. Is this your attitude?
Acceptable
worship must come from a proper attitude. People who have this attitude will
not try to avoid worship; they will want to come at every opportunity the
church provides.
Reason #2: To Give and Receive Instruction
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Each Christian Must Be Taught and Must Teach Others.
==================================
Matthew 5:6 - Faithful disciples will hunger and thirst after
righteousness.
Hebrews
3:12,13 - To avoid falling away, we must encourage one another. Note that we
need this regularly, not just one hour per week. Some of this can be done
outside church meetings, but participating in church meetings is fundamental.
When members neglect the assemblies, they almost invariably also neglect to
exhort others outside church activities, and they usually also have other
serious spiritual problems.
Hebrews
5:12 - Christians should become teachers of God's word. If we are not now able
to teach, we should be developing the ability. This is expected of all members,
young or old, babes in Christ or mature in the faith.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 - We should comfort and edify (build up) one
another.
(See
also 2 Timothy 2:2, 24-26; Acts 8:4; 17:11; Galatians 6:1; 1 Peter 2:2; Hosea
4:6.)
Local Churches Exist Specifically to Provide Times for Members to
Learn and Teach.
============================================
When
the church provides these opportunities, all the members ought to attend and
participate in the teaching and learning.
1 Timothy 3:15 - The church is pillar and ground of the truth.
1 Corinthians 14:19,26,31,40 - The church conducts assemblies to
teach and edify the members.
Ephesians
4:15, 16 - Each member must work to build up the body. This is true of all
members and all church meetings. If all the members were as active as you are,
how effectively would the church be built up?
Hebrews
10:23-25 - In order to hold fast our hope and not fall away, we must exhort and
provoke one another to love and good works (cf. 3:12,13). To fulfill this duty,
we should attend regularly when the church meets.
Hebrews
13:17 - Elders watch on behalf of members' souls, guiding the flock so members
are fed (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:1-3). Much of this instruction is done in
meetings. Members are responsible to obey and submit to the elders. We must
cooperate with their teaching efforts, which requires being present when the
teaching is done.
The
command to partake of the Lord's Supper on the first day of the week authorizes
the church to decide a time and place to meet. When the church has set a time
and place, all members ought to come so they can obey the command to partake.
In the
same way, the church is authorized to provide meetings in which members can
teach and exhort one another. Since members need regular and frequent teaching,
it follows that churches are authorized to provide as many meetings as needed
to accomplish the necessary teaching, including mid-week meetings, gospel
meetings, etc. All the members then should come and be involved whenever the
church meets.
Attendance
and Bible study are to faithful discipleship what the ABC's are to reading. You
can know the ABC's without learning how to read, but you can never read without
knowing the ABC's. In the same way, disciples may attend church meetings and
yet be otherwise unfaithful, but none will ever be truly faithful if they are
negligent in attendance.
Reason #3: To Set a Good Example
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Each Christian Should Be a Good Example to Others.
================================
1
Timothy 4:12 - Be examples to believers in word, manner of life, love, faith,
and purity. You should attend the assemblies for your own benefit, but consider
also the effect on others if you do or do not attend. Surely new members and
weak members need all the teaching they can get. But such people often decide
how often to come by observing other members. If they imitate you, will their
need for teaching be met? (Titus 2:7,8)
Matthew
5:16 - Let your light shine so men may glorify God because of your good works.
Does your example in attendance lead people to glorify God?
Matthew
18:6,7 - It is better to drown in the sea than to tempt others to fall away. If
a non-member or new member asked you whether or not they should attend church
meetings, would you tell them to attend or to do something else instead? You
are answering this question by your example. "Actions speak louder than
words." How will you feel at judgment if someone is lost because they
imitated your negligence and fell away? How much better to face judgment knowing
you gave an example of faithfulness in attendance?
If all
people followed your example in attendance, would they learn the truth and
receive the encouragement they need to receive eternal life at the Judgment?
(See
also 1 Peter 2:11,12; 3:15,16; Philippians 2:15,16.)
Christians Should Especially Be Good Examples to Children.
====================================
We
should train our children to be what God wants them to be (Ephesians 6:4).
Children are greatly influenced by the example of their parents. "As is
the mother, so is her daughter" (Ezekiel 16:44), or "like father,
like son." (See also Nehemiah 13:23,24; 2 Timothy 1:5.)
Many
parents live the early years of their marriage in spiritual indifference. Later
they repent, but it is too late to save their children. How much better to give
an example that will properly encourage our children!
As the Twig Is Bent
A
little girl with golden curls, her happy face aglow,
Said,
"It's time for Bible class. Please, Daddy, won't you go?
They
teach us there of Jesus' love, and how He died for all,
And how
He wants to save the ones who listen to His call."
"Oh
no", said Daddy, "not today. I've worked hard all week,
And I
must have one day of rest. I'm going to the creek.
For
there I can relax and rest, and fishing's fine they say.
So run
along, don't bother me. We'll worship God some day."
Later
on, when years have passed and Dad's life is almost through,
He
finds the time to worship God, but what does daughter do?
She
says, "Oh, Daddy, not today. I stayed up 'most all night,
And
I've just got to have some sleep. Besides, I look a fright."
Then
Daddy lifts a trembling hand to brush away his tears,
And
hears that childhood voice again, distinctly through the years,
As a
little girl with golden curls, her happy face aglow,
Said,
"It's time for Bible class. Please, Daddy, won't you go?"
-
Author unknown (adapted)
Reason #4: To Imitate Jesus and Other Faithful Disciples
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
1 Corinthians 11:1 - Christians Should Imitate Paul and Other
Apostles.
===========================================
Would
Paul or other apostles deliberately neglect assemblies or fail to use
opportunities to teach (note Acts 11:26)? Are you imitating their example?
(See
also Philippians 3:17; 4:9).
Hebrews 13:7 (6:12) - Christians Should Imitate Faithful Elders
and Preachers.
========================================
If an
elder or preacher neglected church meetings when he could come, would you think
that elder was qualified for his office or that preacher was worthy of support?
If you think faithful elders and preachers are responsible to attend regularly,
you should imitate them.
Consider
members who are really strong and faithful in all areas of serving God: they
know the Bible, teach others, live pure lives, and have obedient children, etc.
Can you think of even one such person who neglects the assemblies when he could
come? On the other hand, when members habitually miss when they could come, are
they generally stronger members or weaker ones? Imitate those who are truly
faithful!
1 Peter 2:21 - Christians Should Imitate Jesus.
=============================
By
definition, a Christian is a disciple or follower of Jesus: one who is
Christ-like (Acts 11:26; Galatians 2:20). Would Jesus ever neglect an
opportunity to study with others or to worship His Father? (Matthew 18:20;
4:23; 9:35; 13:54; 15:32; Luke 4:15,16; John 18:20; Mark 10:1)
Are you imitating the example of Jesus, His apostles, and other
faithful Christians?
Reason #5: To Practice What We Know Is Right
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
There
may be a few members who honestly do not know they should attend church
meetings. But deep in their heart, when they are really honest, most members
know they should come.
Do We Mean What We Sing and Pray?
========================
Many of
our songs emphasize the importance of worshiping God and studying His word. Do
you mean what you sing? We often pray, "Bring us back at the next
appointed time." Do you say "amen" to that prayer? If so, you
must act accordingly or your words are "vain repetitions" (Matthew
6:5-7; 15:8).
Do You Expect Other People to Attend All the Services?
==================================
Do you
expect elders, preachers, and teachers to come? God is no respecter of persons
(Acts 10:34). There is no double standard. If one member is expected to attend
all the meetings, then all the members should do so. If one member may choose
to stay home, why can't all the members stay home?
What do
we call a person who expects others to practice something that he himself will
not practice? A hypocrite! (Matthew 23:3,4; Romans 2:1-3,21,22)
Where
Would You Want to Be If You Were to Die or Jesus Were to Return While the
Church Is Assembled?
==========================================
Would
you want to be with the saints, or would you want to be deliberately doing
something else, when you could have attended? Remember, Jesus knows everything
we do and will bring it all into judgment, regardless of whether or not we are
committing the act when He comes (2 Corinthians 5:10; Ecclesiastes 12:13,14;
Revelation 20:12). We never know when He may come nor when we will die, so we
should live every moment of our lives as faithfully as we would live our last
day (1 Thessalonians 5:1-6; James 4:13,14).
Honestly now, don't we all know that we really should be here when
the church meets?
Now
consider James 4:17 - "Therefore to him who knows to do good and does not
do it, to him it is sin." (Galatians 6:10)
Reason #6: To Put God First in Our Lives
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
The Christian's Life Belongs, Not to Himself, but to God.
==================================
1
Corinthians 6:19,20 - Your body belongs to God, not to you, so you should
glorify God in your body. But glorifying God is the main purpose of worship
assemblies. When people realize that their bodies belong to God, they will use
their bodies to worship Him.
Romans
12:1 - Christians should present their bodies as living sacrifices to serve
God. But worship is a major part of serving God. So when people have made their
bodies a sacrifice to God, they gladly worship Him. They will not allow
personal pleasures to interfere.
Matthew
16:24,25 - To be Jesus' disciples, we must deny ourselves. If we willingly give
our lives to God, we will receive eternal life. But if we try to keep our lives
for ourselves, we will lose them. So, instead of doing what we want with our
lives, we should use the opportunities the church gives us to worship and
please God.
2
Corinthians 8:5 - The Macedonians gave their money generously because they
first gave themselves to the Lord. What is true of money is also true of our
time, effort, etc. If your whole life belongs to God, you surely cannot begrudge
a few hours each week to worship Him.
Matthew 6:33 - Christians Must Seek First God's Kingdom (Church)
and Righteousness.
============================================
Is one
putting God first when, rather than attend worship assemblies, he prefers to go
to a ballgame or concert, watch TV, go fishing, or vacation?
Is one
putting God first when he would rather spend time with friends, relatives, or
family instead of worshiping God? (See also Matthew 10:37-39.)
Is one
putting God first when he misses assemblies to do schoolwork, attend school
functions, or make money, when he could arrange his schedule to worship God?
Is one
putting God first when he misses assemblies because he is "sick'" or
"lacks transportation," but under the same circumstances he would
find a way to work or to the store?
This is
the key issue to our whole study! The main reason people do not attend
regularly, when they could come, is that they have not set service to God as
their main priority in life! They want to use their time to please themselves.
But when one views his life as being totally sacrificed to God, he will
immediately see that he should worship God whenever the church is meeting, if
he can possibly make arrangements to do so. He will want to be there and will
not even seriously consider missing.
Yes,
there are emergency situations when "the ox is in the ditch" (Luke
14:5). But shouldn't a Christian work diligently to overcome these problems? If
the same old ox keeps getting in the same old ditch, why not build a fence,
fill the ditch, or sell the ox?
(Note
the danger of neglect and drifting - Hebrews 6:11,12; 2:1-3.)
Reason #7: To Prepare Ourselves for Heaven
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Revelation
5:11-14 - We may not know all about Heaven, but we do know that one of the main
activities there will be worship. Elders, angels, and all those who have washed
their robes white in the blood of the Lamb will be serving God night and day
(Revelation 7:9-15; 15:2-4; 19:4-8; etc.).
So one
thing on earth that is much like Heaven is our public worship meetings. Surely
worship in heaven will be on a purer and grander scale. But if in this life you
do not enjoy praising God, if you begrudge the time spent in Bible study, if
you would rather do something other than meet with God's people, why would you
expect to enjoy Heaven? In fact, if that is your attitude, what reason do you
have to expect that you would ever go there? If our devotion to God is not
strong enough to get us to church meetings, why should we believe it is strong
enough to get us to heaven?
People
who truly love and appreciate God, will love and appreciate opportunities to
worship and serve Him. These are the people who will enjoy Heaven, and they are
the ones destined to go there!
Conclusion
=======
The
story is told of a young man who asked a friend what he should do to get his
girlfriend to agree to marry him. His friend replied, "It all depends on
whether or not she wants to marry you. If she doesn't want to, you can't make
her. If she wants to, there's no way you could prevent it!"
This
only slightly exaggerates the case regarding worship. Whether or not one is
regular in attendance all depends on whether or not he is really dedicated to
God. If he is not dedicated, he will probably miss services. If he is really
dedicated, he will want so much to attend that you could hardly keep him away!
In
evaluating your church attendance, here are some questions you should honestly
ask yourself:
1. Am I
really putting God first - before my own desires, before my family, and before
everything else in life?
2. Am I
genuinely sorry when I must miss - or would I really rather be doing something
else instead of going?
3.
Would I honestly be fulfilling my duty to God as well by not going as I would
be by going?
4. If
some "emergency" would keep me from attending, would the same
circumstances keep me from other activities that are of great importance to me?
5. Am I
seeking to do as much as I can for the Lord, or am I just trying to "get
by" with minimal service?
6. If
everyone else - including my family and loved ones - were to imitate my
attendance, would they please God and receive eternal life?
7. What
would I think of an elder or preacher who attends as I do?
8. Is
my practice in harmony with what I profess, sing, and pray?
9. What
would I do if I knew this was my last day on earth - if I knew I would die or
Jesus would come today?
10.
What would Jesus do if he were in the same circumstance I am in?
What is
your conclusion about your attendance? Are you serving God faithfully? Do you
need to improve?
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