First Day Of The Week (Full) Series

INTRODUCTION

Outline.

1. Day their Congregation

2. Day their Communion

3. Day their Contribution

Remarks.

1. In our lesson today, we are going to be discussing the theme: "The First Day of the Week." This lesson will stress; that this day is not a day to "go to church." It is the day of worship, for the church. The "first day of the week," is the day of assembling, remembering and rejoicing; it is: “The day that the Lord hath made, and we will rejoice and be glad in it,” Psalms 118:24. During this pandemic in America and the world, no saint should feel guilty for not assembling for worship, at the church building. The worship of the Lord is not confined; to the church building. Church leaderships, evangelists, ministers, and preachers must become ingenious: in creating opportunities for worship for the saints, whether they are at (home, in the hospital, traveling, or at the building). What is most important; the church must congregate; to observe the communion and contribute unto the Lord, on this day of worship. David wrote: “Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness,” Psalms 29:2; Psalms 96:9. We do this on the “first day of the week.”

2. First, we will consider that the church assembled on the first day of the week, as a means of worship and fellowship. Luke wrote: “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized...about three thousand souls. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and the breaking of bread and prayer," Acts 2:41-42. Luke continued: “And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,” Acts 2:46. The church convened both in the temple; and, from house to house in fellowship, to break the bread, and worship daily, in its infancy. Worship, fellowship, and the breaking of bread were not limited to a single location; but, wherever the church has assembled. This gathering was the practice of the early church for worship on: "the first day of the week." We like the apostle John, who is in the “Spirit” on the Lord’s Day, Revelation 1:9-10.

3. Second, we will discuss the church's coming together on the “first day of the week,” to observe the communion (the Lord’s Supper). Luke wrote: “And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight,” Acts 20:7. The apostle was passing through Troas, enroute to the city of Jerusalem. He abode there for seven days. It was the practice of the early church; to observe the communion, the Lord’s Supper upon: "the first day of the week." The apostles directed a weekly celebration, of this memorial.

4. Lastly, we will investigate that the church contributed its money on: "the first day of the week” for the work and support of the church. Paul wrote: “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order (direction) to the churches of Galatia, even so, do you. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gathering when I come," 1 Corinthians 16:1-2. It was the practice of the early church to come together, to offer spiritual sacrifices unto the Lord, in their financial contributions. The collections were taken up to support the work of the Lord and providing for the saints. Each saint was charged to give, “as they had been prospered.” The early church gave of their substance unto the Lord on: "the first day of the week." This was a weekly contribution to the Lord. With this introduction, let's consider the first point in this lesson: "the day of congregation," or their assembly.

BODY OF LESSON

I DAY OF CONGREGATION

A. I know that someone will ask about church assembling. To most saints, this lesson is elementary. I should not have to remind my brethren; that Jesus settles the place of worship while talking with “the woman at the well.” She spoke proudly of her place of worship to God, in the holy mountain. Jesus said: "Woman, believe me, the hour cometh when ye shall neither in this mountain nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father...But the hour cometh and now is when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and truth,” John 4:20-24. Observe--

1. It is in “spirit and truth” we worship; that magnifies the name of the Lord: not the mountain, the temple, the riverside or, even in the sanctuary.