SET UP: Let worship service come to an end wait 2-3 minutes(it will seem like a lifetime, also let your worship leader in on this plan), then come in carrying a cooler, golf clubs, fishing pole etc.
Still here? I’ve been on vacation, need to catch up stuff at house, relax little, I’m sure you all understand…
Role play: I sent my wife & kids, I drove all the way back, thought ‘I’d just sit out, get cd, and pray at home…
My life as Christian, I have noticed every church...
1) Tithes go down summer- Christmas
2) Summer slump in attendance
I believe we could see a summer JUMP!
Do you need to ATTEND EVERY SERVICE?"
Hebrews 10:25
We take attendance; know who’s here & who’s not most times, even greater than that, God takes attendance!
I’m going to present you Word of God
Then challenge you to allow the Holy Spirit to show you if you need to attend every service.
a. Some attend every service whenever possible
1) Bible study on Wed
2) They attend both Sunday AM & PM
3) Every business meeting & Christian Education
b. SOME attend less often
1) Attend once-twice a month
2) Don’t participate in the Bible studies or others
a. Why do some Christians attend every service, and others do not?
Does ATTENDANCE make a difference…
a. In spiritual life of Christian?
b. In spiritual life of congregation?
Share w/you some reasons why you ought to attend every service you can, unless hindered by illness or circumstances beyond their control.
For example, we should attend every service...
1st TO FULFILL THE COMMANDS OF GOD
COMMAND NOT TO FORSAKE ASSEMBLING He 10:25 It is warning against the complete abandonment of assembling with others
1. Some have abandoned assembling by attending only once – twice a month...
So you’re fine, as long as your hit Christmas/Easter, mail tithes, if you hospital during Christmas –Easter we’ll pray & come see you
a. Skipping that 1 service makes it a lot easier to skip more & more!
Not talking @ vacation- even Jesus got away, said lets push out,
Even on vacation you should plan on church where you’re at
b. Folks in habit of attending every service are not likely to begin skipping services that can lead to stopping attending altogether!
Those who do skip- can become habit forming
I’m still saved, no big deal…
c. Just like drugs, 1 puff, 1 drink, 1 try
2nd THE COMMAND TO EDIFY ONE ANOTHER
1. We have responsibility to build up one another
Ro 14:19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
Ro 15:1 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.”
Heb 3:12 See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. 14 We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first.
Some say I can’t do what I used to…understand
Your presence alone encourages others to attend
3. Can we really say we are edifying others…
a. When absent most of the time?
Have a fellow pastor that I don’t know, email weekly try help direct my life, has NO IDEA what look like, imagine if I preached, met, did everything over the phone from somewhere else?
What if I showed up every now/ then, but you could pick up a new sermon every week, would I, COULD I be your Pastor?
Well that’s what you get paid for, yes but it GOES WAY FARTHER THAN THAT!
You have just as much responsibility to God & others according to God’s Word to come!
Then you’ve got folks who say oh I don’t go anywhere I just go from church to church to edify
Or – we are currently looking for a home church,
(been looking for 6 years in same area come on!)
How can you know others, if your not here?
c. When not here to notice, others aren’t here?
d. You are not only here to receive something of God, but to GIVE something as well
e. Beyond tithes/offerings- help-words- smile Strength in numbers!
3rd COMMAND SEEK 1st KINGDOM OF GOD...
Jesus commands put Kingdom of God first – READ Mt 6:28-34
a. We all have priorities; must put them in the right order
1) Many Christians will not accept job if it means missing services, yet find that God provides for their needs
2) It is different if you’re the bread winner & have to work O.T. or get a schedule change
I know a lady took over business closed it on Sunday (was a big day) made more $ than open
2) Many Christians won’t play sports, or extra curricular activities if conflicts w/service to God
3) When looking- interviewing, make it known
4) People- TEENS there are 5 ½ other days to make min$
It is 1 thing to miss because 1 provides critical service to others (medical needs), but to miss just to make pizza & movie money? ($5.15 hour)
b. Speaking of medical needs, some stay home because of aches & pains, but Monday go to work, grocery store, or mall w/the same aches & pains (???)
Yeah but, but …(I’m not asking for explanation… but one day… HE will, and what will you say?)
2. Put Christ 1st before family
Mt 10:37 “Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38 & anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.
a. Some stay home because of family visiting - is that putting Christ first?
Am I saying if you stay home 1 time to see family or go to family reunion 1 time a year? Ask God.
HEAR ME! The REAL ISSUE IS IN THE HEART!
Some folks will use any excuse to ditch out.
1) God 1st
2) Family 2nd
3) Church 3rd
-People don’t call in sick-ditch work, but are so ready drop keep their commitment to God
Going to miss? Plan for it!
Have a class or responsibility prearranged coverage
We also attend church…
4. TO GROW & DEVELOP SPIRITUALLY
SERVICES ARE DESIGNED FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH...
They are not designed to entertain, provide a place to take a nap…
Marge I thought he was going to be gone again this week, I don’t like this sermon. (Oh well, there are veggies I don’t like but I eat them, why it’s beneficial!
1. Hearing sermons & attending Bible Fellowship classes helps you grow/develop/mature Christian
Heb 5:12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
Oh …I’ve heard that sermon 1million times
How many times have you seen Gone w/ Wind
Star Wars – Little House rerun? Mouth words
Luke… I am your father….
2. Even the songs are designed to teach as well as praise –
Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach & admonish one another with all wisdom, & as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
3. Prayer, Communion, even the offering, are designed to bring us closer to God & to another
B. YOUR GROWTH IS DEPENDENT UPON OUR DIET...
1. Can’t grow as God intended on starvation diet
2. Those who attend irregularly eventually suffer from "spiritual malnutrition"
a. Leaving them more susceptible to temptation
b. Rather than living strong, joyful, peaceful spiritual lives
Those of you who skip, -
1)does your family really live in peace?
2) Would they say you do?
c. I’ve never known one attend infrequently to walk in the fullness of God’s abundance
e. More like chaff than rooted tree described in Psa 1:1-6.
1st obey God’s commands, 2nd grow & develop, 3rd…
III. TO HELP CHURCH FUNCTION PROPERLY
A. CHURCH NEEDS WORKERS...
How did it feel earlier when there was no Pastor?
1. The church is like a body, needing every individual part to do its share
Eph 4:15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined & held together by every supporting ligament, grows & builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
Some of you are that supporting ligament!
2. No one can say they’re not needed, or that they do not need others - 1 Co 12:12-19
3. To function properly, church needs spiritual & physical service
a. Leading songs, prayers, reading scripture, & preaching, teaching a class, ushering, preparing communion, cleaning up….. working on the Ezra Project
d. Visiting the sick, helping the needy, teaching the lost, strengthening the weak
B. OUR CHURCH IS DEPENDENT UPON ITS MEMBERS...
1. Members who attend infrequently rarely do little else for the church or God’s people
2. Do you want the church to grow?
a. Do you want to see souls saved?
b. Do you want to see the weak encouraged?
c. Do you want to see our (your) children have good teachers? (It is happening & will continue to but how are going to see ANY of it if your not here?)
That’s how you can tell how involved some folks are, I heard someone got a splinter, will the church make it, are putting out resumes? Listen our church is built upon the Rock of Jesus Christ and the Gates of Hell will not prevail against it!
We will never be perfect, won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but there are things will be, Spirit filled, Spirit lead, Pentecostal and challenging to raise up Saints for the works! If you come thinking you were going to see a slide show of my vacation, put the popcorn down Denny!
This aint Burger King!
YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE LIKE (Name_) BE WHAT YOU ARE CALLED TO BE!
3. Church is no stronger than collective strength of members
a. The church is like the links in a chain
b. If there a missing link in chain, it can affect entire chain
People that don’t attend regularly (but know they could & should) are the first to get all mad when they here this…
d. Understand the implications & repercussions of you cutting out on church goes far beyond YOU!
You’re skipping out on His church, me, visitors, kids & everyone else here! (or not here & sick)
Do you want to have to give an answer to the Lord for why you hindered His church?
IV. TO PROVIDE A GOOD EXAMPLE & INFLUENCE
A. WE ARE TO SET A GOOD EXAMPLE...
Never fails person been inviting comes when you skip out.
1. Provides good example each other & those in the world
FAITHFUL ATTENDANCE IS ESSENTIAL TO INFLUENCE OTHERS
1. Sets good example for babes in Christ, the spiritually weak, visitors, & your children!
Parents, kids will magnify what mom & dad do!
a. You may think you can survive on 4 services a month.
b. What @ those need encouraged & notice you missing?
2. It influences our friends, relatives, & neighbors
1Pe 2:12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
a. They admire your conviction & devotion to the Lord
They expect you to go to church!
b. They wonder what makes you so devoted to the church
3. It provides great support to elders, preacher, & others
a. Your presence alone is a source of great encouragement
b. Your absence creates a void
You cannot escape being an influence to others.
Will it be a good/poor one?
V. TO BE READY, WATCHING AND WAITING
A. DISCIPLES OF CHRIST ARE TO BE PREPARED...
1. Jesus warned against getting caught off guard - Mt 24:44
2. Paul taught to be prepared 1 Th 5:1-11
3. Part of enduring to the end - Mt 10:22; 24:12-13
4. Part of making best use of our time - Ep 5:16
B. ATTENDING SERVICE CONTRIBUTES TO PREPARATION
1. As we sing songs @ the Lord’s coming
2. As study Scriptures that promise His return
What if Jesus came during the service, & you were staying home out of convenience rather than assembled w/saints?
We will give account for everything we do, what would you say to Jesus?
Can we say that we are ready, watching, & waiting for the Lord, when we willfully miss many of the opportunities to be w/His people & in His presence?
WORSHIP TEAM
CONCLUSION
1. Why attend every service?
The faithful & fruitful child of God attends...
a. To fulfill the commands of God
b. To grow & develop spiritually
c. To help the church function properly
d. To provide a good example & influence
e. To be ready, watching & waiting
Remember, it’s @ your HEART & relationship God & others
Can you say…
"I was glad when they said to me, `Let us go into the house of the LORD.’" (Psa 122:1)
Is that your attitude?
In redeeming what time you have left (Ep 5:16), may you use as much of it as possible in service to the Lord & His people!
It’s easy to look find someone else that attends less than you… I’m better than…
What I’m asking you is what will you tell God @ your attendance & will He be okay with it?
