Late last year as heard a sermon and even a Christian newsgroups discussing the topic of whether a Christian is considered “save” by just going or attending church service faithfully. To me this matter is very subjective although deep in my heart I do believe being faithfully present in the House of the Lord does have its importance. What we do with our life outside the Church is between you and God, it is not for any faithful believer to judge by saying that being faithful regular attending the Church “does not mean you are saved or God does not honor it.”
I like to write (talk) something concerning this matter but recently I came across a well-written sermon outlines by David J. Riggs at http://oakridgechurch.com/riggs/outlines.htm” that he discussed this matter in two parts which elicits this issue nicely.
ATTENDANCE #1
WHY DOES THE FAITHFUL CHILD OF GOD ATTEND
EVERY SERVICE?
By David J. Riggs
Intro.
A. The problem of attendance has become so acute in some churches
that they have resorted to man-made gimmicks to correct it,
e.g., "the entertainment craze."
1. God compels men to be faithful to Him only through the
teaching of the gospel.
B. In this lesson we want to look at the principles in the gospel
which cause the faithful Christian to never miss a service.
1. This lesson could be entitled, "The blessings for faithful
attendance."
C. We will follow with a lesson on "The sins that one involves
himself in when he wilfully neglects the assembly."
1. Notice that our question says, "Why does the faithful child
of God attend every service?"
a. We are speaking here of all the services--Sun. morning
Bible study, Sun. night worship, Wed. Bible study.
b. We are not speaking of when one is "providentially"
hindered; that is, when he misses through no fault of his
own.
I. COMMANDS ARE FULFILLED.
A. He meets the command of Heb. 10:25.
1. "Not forsaking" -- a negative command.
2. "The assembling" -- it does not say the "assembly," but the
"assembling."
a. It is a verb participle that refers to the act of
assembling. Thus, it includes all the assemblies of the
church--Sun. night, Wed. night, Gospel meetings, business
meetings for the men.
b. It is not an optional matter. Attending gospel meetings of
others congregations is optional because that is not the
assembling of ourselves together. Where one is a member,
God did not give us a choice in the matter.
B. He gives God the worship that He seeks. Matt. 4:10; John 4:24
C. He meets with the Lord. Matt. 18:20
II. HE GROWS AND DEVELOPS SPIRITUALLY.
A. Hearing all of the sermons and attending all of the Bible
classes helps one to grow and develop into a mature Christian.
Heb. 5:12-14
B. He is admonished in song. Col. 3:16
1. In a church in Kentucky where I preached, some of the weak
members did not attend on singing night--a service that was
set aside for singing.
a. Is not singing part of worship?
C. He is comforted and encouraged by having spiritual fellowship
with others. Rom. 1:12; 15:32
1. All of us are in need of the fellowship, teaching,
encouragement, and spiritual strength derived from the
services. Why not attend every service to take advantage of
the blessings? Those who don't attend faithfully often miss
important lessons (such as this one) which they sorely need.
III. SO THE CHURCH CAN FUNCTION PROPERLY.
A. The mission of the church is accomplished through our meeting
and working together. The church cannot function without
assemblies.
1. Business meetings are an important part of the assemblies of
the church. If an unscriptural practice is being promoted,
we need to be on hand to voice our conviction regarding it.
2. It doesn't happen often; however, there are times in every
Christians's life where important issues on truth and error
are decided in the business meetings.
3. If the men are not there to voice our convictions, they have
let the Lord down. They have failed in their duty as a
Christian in guarding against apostasy.
B. Gospel meetings are important for our own good, and for
reaching people of the community.
1. I heard of a powerful case example which was done by brother
C.R. Nichol many years ago. He went in to begin a gospel
meeting and after seeing the very poor attendance on the
first night, stayed away the second night. When they asked
him where he was, he replied, "If some can stay home, I can
stay home." After this was spread around in the community,
the attendance got right for the rest of the meeting.
C. Let's briefly notice this chart on the Collective Actions of
the Church:
1. Chooses officers and servants - Acts 6:2-3; 1 Tim. 3:10;
Rom. 16:1-2
2. Has messengers - 2 Cor. 8:23
3. Pays wages - 2 Cor. 11:8
4. Relieves and enrolls - 1 Tim. 5:9-10, 16
5. Hears and speaks - Matt. 18:17
6. Disciplines - 1 Cor. 5:4-5
7. Greets in letters - 1 Cor. 16:19
8. Sends out preachers - Acts 11:22
9. Is reported to - Acts 14:27
10. Has worship - 1 Cor. 11:20, 34
11. Has its own treasury - 1 Cor. 16:1-4; 2 Cor. 11:8-9
D. If I don't become actively involved in the functioning unit
that God ordained, I'm failing in my responsibility to God.
IV. FOR A GOOD EXAMPLE AND INFLUENCE.
A. Christians are to set a good example. 1 Tim. 4:12; Titus 2:7-8
1. Christians are to shine as light in the world. Matt.
5:14-16; Phil 2:15
B. Faithful attendance is essential for good influence.
1. It sets a good example before babes in Christ, and to the
weak.
2. It influences our friends, relatives, and neighbors--all
outsiders. 1 Pet. 2:12
C. It is a great support to the preacher, and to all others.
1. Let not any of the older widows say, "There's nothing I can
do," or "I'm not much help to the church." Your faithful
attendance is a great encouragement to all.
a. You are an encouragement in the Bible classes because you
can be depended on to be there. The church can have any
type of service and can depend on you to support it.
V. TO HOLD FAST HIS ALLEGIANCE, PROFESSION AND HOPE.
A. He holds fast that which he confessed when baptized. Acts
8:36-37; Rom. 10:9
1. To confess that Jesus is the Son of God or that He is Lord
is essentially the same.
a. To confess Him as the Son of God is to say that he is
Divine, and you will now submit to His laws.
b. To confess Him as Lord is to say that He will now be
ruler of your life.
B. It is holding fast his confession. Heb. 4:14
C. He holds fast the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.
Heb. 3:5-6
1. Let us show diligence and be not slothful. Heb. 6:11-12
VI. IT IS PUTTING CHRIST AND THE KINGDOM FIRST. Matt. 6:33
A. It is seeking things above. Col. 3:1-3
1. It is wrong to stay home on Sunday because of aches and
pains, but on Monday go to work, the grocery store, or the
mall when we have the same aches and pains.
B. It is putting Christ first (Luke 14:26); it is putting him
before family (Matt. 10:37-38).
1. Some stay home because of family visiting. This is not
putting Christ first.
2. I heard of a woman who stayed home from Sunday morning
services to fix a meal so she could have the preacher over
for lunch. However, when the preacher heard of it, he
didn't go to the sister's home. She was angry at him for
this; however, he did the right thing.
C. It shows that our attitude is right.
1. Not like some who say, "What is the least I can do and still
go to heaven?" but "How much can I do for the Lord" or, "I
want to do all I can for the Lord."
VII. HELPS FULFILL HIS DUTIES TO OTHERS.
A. Helps parents fulfill their duties to their children. Eph. 6:4
B. It brings us more knowledge so that we can always give the
right answers. 1 Pet. 3:15
C. It helps fulfill the commands of exhorting our brethren. Heb.
3:13
1. We are not to go to everyone's house or call daily--but on
Sundays and Wednesdays we have an opportunity to fulfill
this command.
VIII. IT IS BEARING FRUIT AND DOING GOOD WORKS.
A. We are to bear much fruit (John 15:8) and to be full of good
works (James 3:17).
1. Notice he did not just say, "bear fruit" or "have good
works," but "bear much fruit and "be full of good works."
B. We are to be zealous of good works (Titus 2:14), and always
abounding in the work of the Lord (I Cor. 15:58).
1. We are to be ready unto every good work (Titus 3:1), and are
to be careful to maintain good works (Titus 3:8).
2. The faithful child of God attends every service because he
wants to be zealous of, always abounding in, ready unto, and
careful to maintain good works.
C. We must do good works ourselves and exhort others to do good
works. Heb. 10:24
1. We couldn't rightfully exhort someone to attend on Wednesday
nights when we don't attend ourselves.
IX. IT IS PART OF BEING READY, WATCHING AND WAITING.
A. Matt. 24:44; 25:13; Mark 13:33-37
1. What if the Lord came on a Wednesday night and I wasn't with
the saints because I was wilfully forsaking? I John 2:28
B. It is part of enduring unto the end. Matt. 10:22; 24:12-13
1. It is "redeeming the time" (Eph. 5:16) in our short stay on
earth.
2. I once caught a young college student red-handed one Sunday.
His mother had asked me to exhort him. I took my family
home after the services and then went to his apartment. I
found him sitting in his house-coat watching TV. As I began
to show him his neglect, he was very embarrassed. However,
he needed to be concerned about what the Lord thought about
him, not what the preacher thought.
3. Too many people want to make sure that the preacher
understands why they were not present at services. Their
actions need to be resolved with God, not the preacher.
X. BECAUSE HE WANTS TO GO TO HEAVEN.
A. God has promised that many marvelous blessings are waiting in
heaven for the faithful. John 14:2; 1 Pet. 1:4; Rev. 22:14
1. The faithful Christian attends every service because he
wants to have part in these marvelous things.
Concl.
A. Why does the faithful child of God attend every service?
(Summarize main topics)
B. The word of God is powerful and strong on this subject. It
overpowers by such strong reasons.
C. Psalm 122:1. Let us be glad that we have time and opportunity
to worship God.
1. Let us take advantage of this great privilege and afford
ourselves of the many spiritual blessings that are derived
from worship.
ATTENDANCE #2
THE SINS ONE INVOLVES HIMSELF IN WHEN HE WILFULLY FORSAKES THE ASSEMBLIES OF THE SAINTS
By David J. Riggs
Intro.
A. The first part of our study will be a verse-by-verse study of
Heb. 10:19-31 which, of course, deals with our topic.
B. In our heading notice the word "wilfully" which means,
"knowingly and deliberately going against one's conscience."
1. Notice also the word "assemblies." We will be referring to
all the assemblies of the saints, not just the one on the
Lord's day in the morning.
C. Many brethren do not understand the seriousness of forsaking.
Thus, there is a great need for lessons on this topic.
1. Denominationalism has added to this problem. Most
denominations put very little emphasis upon attendance. If
they do at all, they usually make Sunday morning mandatory
and all others optional.
2. Liberalism in churches of Christ has added to this problem.
Instead of teaching strong lessons from God's word on this
subject (they don't want to offend anyone), they have
resorted to man-made gimmicks to induce attendance.
I. BASIS OF EXHORTATIONS--TWO POSSESSIONS.
A. Verse 19 - "...Having boldness to enter the Holiest..." Before
this there was no free access.
1. Verse 20 - In the Old Testament order, the veil had to be
parted before the high priest could go from the holy place
to the most holy place. Matt. 27:51
a. Here the flesh of Jesus is represented as the veil. His
flesh was torn when He was consecrated for us (his death
on the cross).
B. Verse 21 - "...Having a High Priest over the house of God."
1. Heb. 3:1; 4:14
II. THREE EXHORTATIONS.
A. Verse 22 - "Let us draw near..." (the first of three
exhortations)
1. "With a true heart" - with a pure conscience.
2. "Full assurance" - with complete confidence.
3. "Having our hearts sprinkled..."
a. This involves the blood of Christ
b. It is typical of the O.T. priests sprinkling the
sacrificial blood to purify.
c. This is the internal part of regeneration.
4. "Our bodies washed..."
a. This is water baptism. Acts 22:16
b. It is the washing of regeneration. Titus 3:5
c. This is the external part of regeneration.
B. Verse 23 - "Let us (the second exhortation) hold fast the
confession..." - continue in it by faithful, godly lives.
1. "Confession of our hope" - thus, an exhortation to be
steadfast in obtaining the end of our hope.
2. "Without wavering" - without faltering, without stumbling.
3. "For He who promised is faithful." - He is reliable and
trustworthy and the one who commits his will to Him, will
never be disappointed.
C. Verses 24-25 - "And let us" (the third). He exhorts both
positively and negatively.
1. Verse 24 - the positive.
a. "Consider one another" - show concern, have interest in.
b. "To stir up" - to stimulate, provoke, arouse.
c. "Love and good works" - all of us need exhortation and
encouragement; thus, let us exhort and encourage one
another to do our best in living the Christian life.
2. Verse 25 - the negative. Thus, we are not to forsake any of
our assemblies. We will look at several objections that
brethren raise on this verse.
a. Some say that the word "forsake" refers to forsaking
altogether and should not be applied to when a person
misses just one service. However, the word is used in 2
Tim. 4:16 and Matt. 27:46 and refers to just once.
b. Some think that it refers to the "assembly" - only on the
Lord's day morning when the Lord's supper is taken.
However, it is the word "assembling" which refers to any
coming together; it is the word "episnnago" and not the
word "ekklesia" the regular word for assembly.
c. Some say the word "day" refers to the Lord's day--they
needed to increase their efforts when they saw the Lord's
day coming.
(1) However, there is no indication in the context that
it must refer to the Lord's day. It could refer to
any day wherein one needed exhortation. For example,
if one did not attend on Wed. nights and I had a
continual opportunity to exhort him, I would increase
my efforts as I saw that day approaching.
(2) Many of the older commentators take the position that
"the day" refers to the destruction of Jerusalem -
that the Hebrews by the signs that Jesus spoke of
(Matt. 24; Luke 21) could see that it was
approaching.
(3) It probably refers to the great day--the day of the
Lord's coming. We know that it is nearer than it
was. Rom. 13:11-12
(4) It could refer to the day of one's end--his death,
e.g., we are to number our days. Psalm 90:12
III. THE RESULTS OF FORSAKING
A. This is what one does when he wilfully forsakes; this is what
he brings upon himself.
1. He sins. (Verse 26a)
a. What is the sin considered in this context?
b. "Wilfully" - knowingly and deliberately going against
one's conscience, i.e., relatives come and he stays home.
He goes golfing, fishing, shopping, sleep in, or
whatever. It does not include those times when it is no
fault of his own
2. He loses the only sacrifice for sins. (Verse 26b)
a. He didn't say there is not more forgiveness, but no more
sacrifice.
b. He is rejecting the sacrifice which is his only chance
and hope; he is abandoning that which purchased the
church and all that pertains to it.
c. When he wilfully forsakes, he is setting his will against
the Lord's.
3. He incurs the wrath of God (verse 27) - here is what
remains:
a. "But a certain fearful expectation of judgment..." - We
all will face judgment, but it will be a fearful time for
the one who commits the sin of verse 25.
b. "And fiery indignation" - God is indignant, his righteous
anger is aroused, when one forsakes the assemblies.
c. "Which shall devour the adversaries" - You place yourself
in the realm of the enemy of God when you forsake, and
God's fiery indignation shall destroy you.
4. Man brings all these things upon himself when he wilfully
forsakes. As we said, many brethren do not understand the
seriousness of forsaking. It is something that is not to be
taken lightly.
B. What God does to those who wilfully forsake:
1. Verse 28 - has to do with capital punishment.
2. Verse 29 - "worse punishment" - worse than capital
punishment.
a. "Who has trampled the Son of God underfoot..." - How?
Attendance is part of the will of Christ and he shows his
disrespect for Him by not attending.
b. "Counted the blood...a common thing..." - He is reducing
the blood to no more than a common or ordinary thing;
thus, he shows his lack of appreciation for the blood
atonement.
c. "And insulted the Spirit of grace" - He shows contempt
for the Holy Spirit who delivered the message of grace.
3. Verse 30 - At the judgment what excuse will you give to the
Lord?
a. God will take vengeance on the disobedient.
4. Verse 31- He falls into His hands.
IV. THERE ARE MANY OTHER SINS THAT ONE INVOLVES HIMSELF
IN WHEN HE WILFULLY FORSAKES.
A. It has the opposite effect--as opposed to "Why the faithful
child of God attends every service."
1. Commands are disobeyed.
a. He neglects worship that God seeks. John 4:23-24
b. He forsakes being with the Lord. Matt. 18:20
c. On the Lord's day he misses many important commands.
2. He fails to grow and develop into a mature Christian. I
Pet. 2:2 Thus, he is not as strong spiritually as he
otherwise would be.
3. He fails to help the church function properly.
a. He hinders special efforts to preach the gospel (gospel
meetings) in making wise decisions (business meetings) in
dealing with the erring (withdrawing).
b. If the church has elders, he is not obeying them. Heb.
13:17
4. He sets a bad example and has a bad influence. Titus 2:7
a. He is not a light to the world around him. Matt. 5:16
b. He offends the church of God with his attitude and
actions. 1 Cor. 10:31
c. He becomes a stumblingblock to babes in Christ. Matt.
18:6
5. He denies his allegiance that he confessed when baptized.
Rom. 10:9
6. He is not holding fast his profession and hope. Heb. 3:6
4:14; 6:11-12
7. He is not putting Christ and the kingdom first. Luke 9:23;
Matt. 6:33
a. He is not seeking those things which are above. Col.
3:1-3
8. He fails in his duties to others.
a. Parents fail in their duty to their children. Eph. 6:4
b. He misses the opportunity to exhort his brethren. Heb.
3:13
9. He is not bearing much fruit and ready unto every good work.
John 15:8; Titus 3:1
10. He knows to do good but does not do it. James 4:17
11. He is not ready, watching and waiting. Matt. 24:42; 25:13
12. He is neglecting the salvation of his soul. Heb. 2:3
Concl.
A. I hope these things will cause all to vividly see the
seriousness of wilfully forsaking the assemblies of the saints.
1. A study of this will help in those times when there is a
fine line of decision, e.g., are my aches and pains strong
enough that I would be justified in staying home?
B. The word of God is strong and powerful on this subject. It
overpowers from two directions.
1. It shows the manifold blessings for attending.
2. It reveals the sins that one involves himself in when he
wilfully forsakes.
C. Brethren, let us attend every service that is humanly possible.
No comments:
Post a Comment