The Principles of Church Attendance

Introduction

1. Our lives are “too” busy, crowded with other things. (Golf, fishing, hunting, ball games, picnic, family gatherings, holidays, etc.)

2. We are time conscious and clock watchers, (one hour, no more).

3. We stay out too late on Saturday night.

4. We schedule activities right after morning worship

5. We are still busy by church time Sunday night.

6. Most have heard sermons on Hebrews 10:25.

Some General Principles that apply

1. Seek the kingdom first – Matthew 6:33

   1. Kingdom of God is the church (Matthew 16:18-19)

   2. First in priority, on top, above all else, most important

   3. NOT – I went to church and got that out of the way first, now I can do some things I want to do.

   4. “His righteousness” – Doing what God says is “right”

   5. “These things” – food, clothing, shelter, will be added as a bonus

2. Redeeming the time – Ephesians 5:16

   1. Time is precious – don’t waste it – can’t get it back

   2. Redeem – value it and use it to best possible advantage

   3. Christians make their time count.

   4. We must decide how each moment will be spent.

   5. Sleep in, coffee with friends, worship God, play golf, fish, watch TV – Which is these is the best use of my time?

   6. Are you redeeming the time or wasting it on trivial things?

3. Zealous of good works – Titus 2:14-3:1

   1. We must always be on alert, ready, anxious, at the starting line, poised and prepared for good works.

   2. Christians are ready to worship God.

   3. We cannot be indifferent and apathetic about worshiping God.

4. Lovers of worship – Psalm 84:1-2, 10

   1. Psalm 42:1-2, 4 – As animals pant for water, we should pant for God

   2. Christians realize a “need” (drive, desire, longing) for worship.

   3. We would rather spend one day with God than 1,000 without Him.

   4. Where would you “rather” be?

   5. Does this describe your attitude?

What Difference Does It Make?

To God

1. Reverence and respect (fear God). (Ecclesiastes 12:13)

2. Worship is being offered and chose not to come.

3. Glory and honor is taken from God.

4. Shows God your preference of others above Him. (Matthew 18:20)

5. Lack of gratitude for your blessings. (James 1:17)

To Others

1. Hinder or prevent the salvation of others.

2. Make it harder for the preacher to preach.

3. Discourage other members.

   1. Weak members are encouraged to stay away.

   2. Preacher – What he has studied is not important.

   3. Song leader – Songs selected are not helpful.

   4. Elders and deacons – Work of local congregation is not valuable.

To Yourself

1. Downward spiral begins.

   1. Missing once makes missing again easier to miss again.

   2. Other activities start to fill in the space.

   3. This makes it more difficult to return to worshipping God.

2. Rob yourself of growth in faith, knowledge and understanding.

3. Miss out on encouragement, teaching and admonition of others.

Commanded to Assemble

1. Commanded to partake of the Lord’s Supper.

1. 1 Corinthians 11:24 – “Take, eat.”

2. Acts 2:42 – “Continued steadfastly in the breaking of bread”

3. 1 Corinthians 10:16 – Communion with Christ

4. Acts 20:7 – On first day of week

5. 1 Corinthians 11: 17, 18, 20, 33, 34 – When you come together in the church (when the church is assembled for worship)

2. Commanded to give.

   1. 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 – On the first day of the week

   2. When the church is already assembled for worship

   3. Place in a “common treasury” to be ready to meet obligations and needs

3. Commanded to assemble.

   1. Hebrews 10:25 – Not forsaking the assembling

   2. What about “other” assemblies?

Conclusion:

1. The issue is not “missing” but intentional neglect.

2. Bodily presence is not as important as the spiritual desire to worship.

3. This is not a matter what we “MUST” do but what we “WANT” to do.