A closer Walk Through Our Assemblies

Blessings and Responsibilities

Becoming a Christian is an easy thing. Jesus did all the work. It is a real blessing, but with it comes some responsibilities, as we discussed last week.

Church assembly picture inserted here

One of the blessings as well as the responsibilities is for us to assemble as the body with other Christians as the church.

Act10:7 (Ref only) - First day of week

Heb10:24-25 (ref only)- Do not forsake assembly

Reasons we assemble

To express praise and devotion

To exhort and encourage one another

To encounter/experience receive encouragement

This morning in our brief, well my brief, somewhat brief, will try to be brief time together we will look at the elements that make up our assembly. Prayer, singing, supper, collection, and yes, the preaching too. Well, keeping in mind what we put in is what we get out too.

Praying together picture inserted here

Turn to and read Act1:12-14 “12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. 13 When they had entered the city, they went up to the upper room where they were staying; that is, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James. 14 These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.”

Praying together (Act1:12-14, 12:12; Jm5:16)

We know the power of prayer (Jm5:16) and the results of prayer (Php4:6-7) peace of mind and heart. So it blesses God (praise) and benefits you who pray.

Make public prayer your own by listening, and giving the hearty “amen” in agreement, by tuning into the prayer.

Sing slide inserted here

Next item of our worship is our singing with the instrument of our heart

Quote:

Eph5:19 “19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;”

Singing: (Eph5:19; Col3:16; Heb:13:15; Ref Jm5:13)

Instrument of our heart

A sacrifice of praise; giving thanks to the Lord!

Singing is commanded as noted in Eph5:19/Col3:16; it is a way of teaching and edifying on another, it is way of praising God (Heb13:15)

It is not about how we sound, or how it makes us feel, it is about Him! Engaging our mind, our heart not just our mouth. Don’t do it just in public you can do it in private too; feeling cheerful; let it rip! (may look at Jm5:13)

Preach the Word picture inserted here

look up and read

2TIM4:1-2 “1 I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.”

Preaching/Teaching the word (Rom10:17; 2Tim4:1-2; Act20:7; 1Pt2:2; Jm1:21; Mk4:23-25)

The preaching of the word in/out of season needs to be done

We have a time, first day of week

So you can grow from the pure milk of the word

From the implanted word that is able to save your souls

We need the word, for the word brings faith

Oftentimes that comes from the preaching and teaching; How we tune in, how we listen to the proclamation of God’s word shows our devotion to God; it is an indication of our devotion.

We should be quick to be brought forth by the word of truth

Consider

(TURN TO AND READ

Mk4:23-25 “23 “If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.” 24 And He was saying to them, “Take care what you listen to. By your standard of measure it will be measured to you; and more will be given you besides. 25 “For whoever has, to him more shall be given; and whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him.””

Add to this, this is not the main place to get the word, home is the main place you should, this is the place to just add to it.

The Lords Supper Picture Inserted Here

Next we have the Lord’s Supper, we talk about this every week, and it is a vital part of our assembly. Some will say the most important part. Without it, we are not Christians, without it there is no Church, there is no reason for an assembly.

Lords Supper (Act2:42; 20:7; 1Cor10:16, 11:23-32; Ref: Isa53)

It was done steadfastly in fellowship

Done on the first day of the week

In communion, in fellowship, in memorial, in self-examination, in reflection, and in proclamation until he comes

It is called by some Communion, breaking of break, Eucharist, we call it as the Lord called it the Lord’s supper as the lord wanted to have “this supper” with them. (Lk22:15)

Jesus said do in remembrance of Me.

Jesus said it was His body and His blood; blood of the new covenant.

Think of what He endured for us, as the suffering servant (Isa53) He took it all on for us. So when we take the supper, we remember it is not about our worthiness it is about His, what He did for us!

The Collection picture inserted Here

Yep, a subject many don’t like preachers talking about, but it is a part of the assembly

Collection/Offering (1Cor9:6-9, 16:1-2; Act2:44-45, 5:32-35, 11:27-30; 1Tim5:17-18)

It is to be done as purposed, cheerfully

On first day of the week

To take care of each other so there is no need within the body

To take care of others as able

To remember those who labor for us

We are to give as we have purposed, prior to the day, not from leftovers but from as He has prospered us.

Do it cheerfully and not under compulsion; not 10% As a tithe, but an offering between you and the Lord, a freewill offering

In early church willingly of one mind to help each other as the church to help each other so there was no need

Then to help others outside of their area as possible, a collection to be given to other saints in other areas

And yes for our Laborers

TURN AND READ( 1Tim5:17-18)

1Tim5:17-18 “17 The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing,” and “The laborer is worthy of his wages.””

The churches are not looking for your money; though there are some very bad examples out there that are looking, demanding money; the Lord is asking, commanding giving as purposed in your heart so to bless you. It is between you and the Lord.

Summing it up; wrapping it up:

Keep in mind

What you put in

What you get out

Preparation/attitude matters

Are you ready?

Are you ready for Jesus picture inserted Here

(song) (prayer) (Exit)