Lesson 13 - Attendance to Worship
One of the saddest mistakes a Christian can make is that of failing to attend the assemblies of the Lord's church. How can one ever hope to be faithful to the Lord if he does not respect him enough to meet with the other brethren for worship? The point is, he cannot be faithful under such conditions.
Many of the denominational people only attend two worship services a year and that is Christmas and Easter, neither of which are taught in God's Word. But there are just a whole lot of people who are deceiving themselves into thinking that this is all that is necessary to please the Lord. Who do they think the Lord is? But getting closer to home, a lot of members of the church seldom ever attend worship. They offer one excuse after the other. It is their work that prevents their attendance or it is the distance involved. It is this and that, and something else. But the question is: Will the Lord accept these excuses? Here these individuals are claiming to be Christians but they rarely or never attend worship. On the other hand, they can go on with what they want to do, they can go to their work regardless of the distance, and so on.
Some of those who fail to attend usually come up with this remark: "But I have my prayers at home." That would be fine if that was all the Lord required. However, he has specially asked that his people assemble on the first day of the week. In doing so, they are not only to pray, but study, sing, partake of the Lord's Supper, and give of their means. Now to those who try to worship by themselves at home, to whom do they give their contribution? What about the Lord's Supper? No, I am sure that most of these individuals never get any further than prayer in their worship to the Lord, If they get that far. But they need to be taught that there is more to worship than simply praying to God.
It is true that there are times, when Christians may be providentially hindered, such as being sick, and other things that would make it impossible for them to attend worship services. In this case, one doesn't have to offer an excuse for not being present but rather he has a reason. Furthermore, the Lord will accept a reason for one's absence, but he will not accept an excuse.
But now let us notice what the word of God itself says about attending the assemblies. The Hebrew writer says, [Hebrews 10:23 - 27 (KJV) 23Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 24And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. 26For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.] Now let's get these main points:
1. We should be faithful inasmuch as we are dealing with one who will be faithful in dealing with us.
2. We should continue always in good works in dealing with one another.
3. We must not forsake the assembling of ourselves together. Some were at that time, and some forsake the assemblies today, but this is not the Lord's will.
4. We should exhort one another or encourage each other to attend *the assemblies as we see the day approaching, that is, the Lord's Day, the day of worship. This is to suggest that we are to prepare ourselves for it. We have a whole week to do this, every week.
5. We should remember that if we sin willfully after learning the truth, then there is no more sacrifice for us and nothing to look forward to but judgment and damnation. That is, if we purposely fail to attend the assemblies and to do the things that we know that we should, then how can the Lord save us when we have rejected him? Therefore, we will be lost if we continue to live like this.
All of this is to say that the Lord expects us to attend the assemblies of the church, and it is serious business, and dangerous business, if we fail to. But why has He asked us to do so? Why attend the assemblies? There are many reasons for this. Let us notice some of them:
1. Because we are taught to do so both by command and example. We have already read in Hebrews 10:25 where we are warned not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together. Then we read in Acts 2:42 how the early Christians met to worship, and in Acts 20:7 where Paul and the Christians in Troas met on the first day the week for worship. So we should do likewise.
2. We are to attend the assemblies to worship God. Christ tells us in John 4:23-24, that God is seeking after true worshippers and that God is a spirit and that we should worship him in spirit and truth.
3. The Lord would have us to attend the assemblies so that we might remember him in partaking of the Lord's Supper. Paul, in referring to the institution of the Lord's Supper, shows that the bread is to be partaken of in remembrance of the body of Christ and the cup is to be partaken of in remembrance of the blood of Christ (1 Corinthians 11:24, 25). How can we remember the Lord in the way that he wants to be remembered unless we assemble on each first day of the week to do this?
4. We are to assemble in order that we might give of our means as we have been prospered. Once more in going back to 1 Corinthians 16:2 we have Paul saying that we should assemble on the first day of the week that we may give as we have been prospered. What happens to our contribution when we fail to attend? Of course we could bring it the next Lord's Day, and we should if we have been absent because of sickness, etc. but most of those who fail to attend also miss the opportunity to give, and not only so, but continue to miss again and again without feeling any responsibility in this respect.
5. The Lord has promised to be with us in the assemblies. Listen to his promise: [Matthew 18:20 (KJV) 20For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.] This alone should cause us to want to attend every worship service of the church because the Lord has said that he would be there. Wouldn't we want to attend if the President were going to be present, or some other important person? But here is the Lord himself saying that he would meet with us -- not just once, but every time. Surely we wouldn't want to fail to keep this all important appointment when he has said that he would be there.
6. We should want to be present for every meeting because of the example that we are setting. We have families, loved ones, friends, and the people of the world in general, that are watching us. They are looking to us for an example to follow, for guidance. We need to realize this and strive to lead them in the right direction. Their salvation may depend on our actions more than you realize. Paul wrote the Thessalonians, [1 Thessalonians 1:6 - 7 (KJV) 6And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: 7So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.] Can we be such an example that when people follow us that in reality they will be following Christ? We should. We must. Plan now to attend every assembly -- get there on time, be quite and reverent and truly worship the Lord.
7. We are to attend the assemblies for fellowship and spiritual growth, individually and collectively. If the members of the church never assemble then how can the church ever amount to anything in that particular community or city? Without meeting the members cannot know one another, they cannot know their strength, they cannot plan the work, they cannot help one another, and they cannot encourage one another. In other words, much of the work of the church, its strength, its accomplishments, ctc. depend heavily on the assemblies. Actually, without such then the church would soon die out. That is why you always read in the New Testament of the church meeting and wherever Paul and the other brethren went, they always met with the local congregations. We are told that even in times of persecution that the members of the church still found opportunities and ways to meet. It is likewise just as important today that we meet on a regular basis to worship the Lord and to carry on his work.
And so these are but a few of the reasons why we should attend the assemblies of the church. But note that our attendance shouldn't be based on the idea that we can go once a month or just occasionally, but rather we should go every first day of the week or whenever the church sees fit to meet. The scriptures say, "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together." This would include all of the assemblies that we are able to attend. May the Lord help us to put more emphasis on worship in our own lives so that we might truly be faithful to him in attending the assemblies of the church. If we will be faithful to him in this way then we will be faithful to him otherwise.
Complete the questions below and afterward, close your study with a prayer about what you have learned.
This is the final lesson in this series
on New Testament Worship
NEW TESTAMENT WORSHIP
QUESTIONS FOR LESSON 13,
"Attending the Assemblies"
1. What is one of the saddest mistakes that the Christian can make?
2. Can a Christian be faithful and not attend the assemblies of the church?
3. What two services do most denominational people attend during the year?
4. List some excuses that Christians use for not attending worship.
5. Is it possible for a Christian to have his worship at home instead of meeting with the local church?
6. Would a true Christian want to do this?
7. When may a Christian be excused from worship?
8. Explain what it means to be providentially hindered.
9. Read Hebrews 10:23-27 out loud.
10. Why should we be faithful to the Lord?
11. What does it mean to forsake the assemblies?
12. How can Christians remind each other of the worship services?
13. What is the day approaching in Hebrews 10:25?
14. Tell what will happen to those who wilfully sin.
15. Give some reasons for attending the assemblies of the church.
16. Mention two examples of early Christians meeting for worship.
17. What is the real purpose for attending worship?
18. Can we remember Christ as he commanded if we fail to attend?
19. What should we do about our giving if we have to miss some Lord's Day period of worship?
20. Who has said he would be with us in our assemblies?
21. When will the Lord be with us?
22. Discuss the importance of one's example in relation to worship.
23. What depends on our assemblies?
Many of the denominational people only attend two worship services a year and that is Christmas and Easter, neither of which are taught in God's Word. But there are just a whole lot of people who are deceiving themselves into thinking that this is all that is necessary to please the Lord. Who do they think the Lord is? But getting closer to home, a lot of members of the church seldom ever attend worship. They offer one excuse after the other. It is their work that prevents their attendance or it is the distance involved. It is this and that, and something else. But the question is: Will the Lord accept these excuses? Here these individuals are claiming to be Christians but they rarely or never attend worship. On the other hand, they can go on with what they want to do, they can go to their work regardless of the distance, and so on.
Some of those who fail to attend usually come up with this remark: "But I have my prayers at home." That would be fine if that was all the Lord required. However, he has specially asked that his people assemble on the first day of the week. In doing so, they are not only to pray, but study, sing, partake of the Lord's Supper, and give of their means. Now to those who try to worship by themselves at home, to whom do they give their contribution? What about the Lord's Supper? No, I am sure that most of these individuals never get any further than prayer in their worship to the Lord, If they get that far. But they need to be taught that there is more to worship than simply praying to God.
It is true that there are times, when Christians may be providentially hindered, such as being sick, and other things that would make it impossible for them to attend worship services. In this case, one doesn't have to offer an excuse for not being present but rather he has a reason. Furthermore, the Lord will accept a reason for one's absence, but he will not accept an excuse.
But now let us notice what the word of God itself says about attending the assemblies. The Hebrew writer says, [Hebrews 10:23 - 27 (KJV) 23Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 24And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. 26For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.] Now let's get these main points:
1. We should be faithful inasmuch as we are dealing with one who will be faithful in dealing with us.
2. We should continue always in good works in dealing with one another.
3. We must not forsake the assembling of ourselves together. Some were at that time, and some forsake the assemblies today, but this is not the Lord's will.
4. We should exhort one another or encourage each other to attend *the assemblies as we see the day approaching, that is, the Lord's Day, the day of worship. This is to suggest that we are to prepare ourselves for it. We have a whole week to do this, every week.
5. We should remember that if we sin willfully after learning the truth, then there is no more sacrifice for us and nothing to look forward to but judgment and damnation. That is, if we purposely fail to attend the assemblies and to do the things that we know that we should, then how can the Lord save us when we have rejected him? Therefore, we will be lost if we continue to live like this.
All of this is to say that the Lord expects us to attend the assemblies of the church, and it is serious business, and dangerous business, if we fail to. But why has He asked us to do so? Why attend the assemblies? There are many reasons for this. Let us notice some of them:
1. Because we are taught to do so both by command and example. We have already read in Hebrews 10:25 where we are warned not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together. Then we read in Acts 2:42 how the early Christians met to worship, and in Acts 20:7 where Paul and the Christians in Troas met on the first day the week for worship. So we should do likewise.
2. We are to attend the assemblies to worship God. Christ tells us in John 4:23-24, that God is seeking after true worshippers and that God is a spirit and that we should worship him in spirit and truth.
3. The Lord would have us to attend the assemblies so that we might remember him in partaking of the Lord's Supper. Paul, in referring to the institution of the Lord's Supper, shows that the bread is to be partaken of in remembrance of the body of Christ and the cup is to be partaken of in remembrance of the blood of Christ (1 Corinthians 11:24, 25). How can we remember the Lord in the way that he wants to be remembered unless we assemble on each first day of the week to do this?
4. We are to assemble in order that we might give of our means as we have been prospered. Once more in going back to 1 Corinthians 16:2 we have Paul saying that we should assemble on the first day of the week that we may give as we have been prospered. What happens to our contribution when we fail to attend? Of course we could bring it the next Lord's Day, and we should if we have been absent because of sickness, etc. but most of those who fail to attend also miss the opportunity to give, and not only so, but continue to miss again and again without feeling any responsibility in this respect.
5. The Lord has promised to be with us in the assemblies. Listen to his promise: [Matthew 18:20 (KJV) 20For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.] This alone should cause us to want to attend every worship service of the church because the Lord has said that he would be there. Wouldn't we want to attend if the President were going to be present, or some other important person? But here is the Lord himself saying that he would meet with us -- not just once, but every time. Surely we wouldn't want to fail to keep this all important appointment when he has said that he would be there.
6. We should want to be present for every meeting because of the example that we are setting. We have families, loved ones, friends, and the people of the world in general, that are watching us. They are looking to us for an example to follow, for guidance. We need to realize this and strive to lead them in the right direction. Their salvation may depend on our actions more than you realize. Paul wrote the Thessalonians, [1 Thessalonians 1:6 - 7 (KJV) 6And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: 7So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.] Can we be such an example that when people follow us that in reality they will be following Christ? We should. We must. Plan now to attend every assembly -- get there on time, be quite and reverent and truly worship the Lord.
7. We are to attend the assemblies for fellowship and spiritual growth, individually and collectively. If the members of the church never assemble then how can the church ever amount to anything in that particular community or city? Without meeting the members cannot know one another, they cannot know their strength, they cannot plan the work, they cannot help one another, and they cannot encourage one another. In other words, much of the work of the church, its strength, its accomplishments, ctc. depend heavily on the assemblies. Actually, without such then the church would soon die out. That is why you always read in the New Testament of the church meeting and wherever Paul and the other brethren went, they always met with the local congregations. We are told that even in times of persecution that the members of the church still found opportunities and ways to meet. It is likewise just as important today that we meet on a regular basis to worship the Lord and to carry on his work.
And so these are but a few of the reasons why we should attend the assemblies of the church. But note that our attendance shouldn't be based on the idea that we can go once a month or just occasionally, but rather we should go every first day of the week or whenever the church sees fit to meet. The scriptures say, "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together." This would include all of the assemblies that we are able to attend. May the Lord help us to put more emphasis on worship in our own lives so that we might truly be faithful to him in attending the assemblies of the church. If we will be faithful to him in this way then we will be faithful to him otherwise.
Complete the questions below and afterward, close your study with a prayer about what you have learned.
This is the final lesson in this series
on New Testament Worship
NEW TESTAMENT WORSHIP
QUESTIONS FOR LESSON 13,
"Attending the Assemblies"
1. What is one of the saddest mistakes that the Christian can make?
2. Can a Christian be faithful and not attend the assemblies of the church?
3. What two services do most denominational people attend during the year?
4. List some excuses that Christians use for not attending worship.
5. Is it possible for a Christian to have his worship at home instead of meeting with the local church?
6. Would a true Christian want to do this?
7. When may a Christian be excused from worship?
8. Explain what it means to be providentially hindered.
9. Read Hebrews 10:23-27 out loud.
10. Why should we be faithful to the Lord?
11. What does it mean to forsake the assemblies?
12. How can Christians remind each other of the worship services?
13. What is the day approaching in Hebrews 10:25?
14. Tell what will happen to those who wilfully sin.
15. Give some reasons for attending the assemblies of the church.
16. Mention two examples of early Christians meeting for worship.
17. What is the real purpose for attending worship?
18. Can we remember Christ as he commanded if we fail to attend?
19. What should we do about our giving if we have to miss some Lord's Day period of worship?
20. Who has said he would be with us in our assemblies?
21. When will the Lord be with us?
22. Discuss the importance of one's example in relation to worship.
23. What depends on our assemblies?